Reinstating an ecological function in a site through a restoration or conversion intervention may involve reducing or terminating another ecological function. Such trade-offs should be clearly identified and carefully considered. For example, creating a mangrove forest with fish nursery and wave attenuation functions on an open tidal flat may contravene or reduce the function of that tidal flat as a feeding habitat for shorebirds or for mollusc collection by local communities. Historic function of the site, next to scarcity and desirability of the target functionality, may help decide where to aim in such trade-off situations.
The identification of a clear and specific target becomes the cornerstone for selecting appropriate restoration actions to restore the desired ecological function.
SMART criteria
To enhance the effectiveness of restoration efforts, targets should adhere to the SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Examples of well-formulated targets could include:
1. Restore 50% of the tidal flat to support the foraging and roosting habitat for waterbirds in the next 5 years.
2. Increase salt marsh extent by 50% to provide nesting sites for an endangered shorebird species in 5 years.
3. Improve sediment composition to ensure that the benthic fauna recolonises the target area, and that the community consists of species suitable for shorebirds to feed on. 4. Restore two effective high tide roost sites by converting aquaculture ponds into open, shallow water areas suitable for high tide roosting for waterbirds within 1 year.
5. Identify ways to achieve targets: Developing strategies based on scientific understanding
Craft a strategy outlining the specific actions required to achieve the set targets. Identify those actions that will deliver the necessary results as steps towards the targets, based on evidence. Identify any assumptions and risks associated with such actions. The actions that are part of such a strategy may involve landscape modification, vegetation management, or other interventions tailored to the identified needs of the ecosystem. Several restoration actions are mentioned in the sections below. It needs to be stressed again that these individual actions themselves are not the target, but one or more of these actions lead to the achievement of the ecological restoration target.
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