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Lakes and wetlands, ecologically impaired to
various degrees by pollution and exploitation are a sad reality not only in
Europe, but around the globe. But wait: Ecological
restoration of these ecosystems is possible! Sven Björk, the pioneer and
long-time practitioner of ecological lake restoration describes
well-illustrated, practical examples (before and after) of the restoration of
different types of damaged aquatic ecosystems and discusses tailor-made
approaches to rehabilitate their individual ecological structure and
functions. The crucial importance of the relationship between catchment area
and the associated lake/wetland in selecting the "right" approach and thus
successful restoration is pointed out and discussed.
Reference cases of restoration projects on lakes and wetlands at different
latitudes and altitudes all over the globe are described and discussed,
including such cases where ecological restoration was carried out by
contractors, with more and sometimes less success. All experience indicates the
need of skilled limnologists and other ecologists to guide such procedures from
inception to conclusion, to reach the final aim of restoring a sustainably
functioning ecosystem. Experience and knowledge gained in
restoration projects, on the processes and approaches that transform turbid
green, cyanobacteria-infested lakes into blue waters or how drained, subsiding
marshes are converted into wetlands of high biodiversity turn experienced
ecologists into specialists in demand in research and administration.
The feeling of exultation that follows the observation that an aquatic
ecosystem - degraded by man - finally has been restored to "normal" life, definitely motivates the classification of this kind of applied ecology as an activity of the Fine Arts. Björk´s instructive book is aimed both at administrators seeking approaches and help to fix ailing aquatic systems and also at aquatic ecologists interested in designing tailor-made methods for restoring, monitoring and documenting the results of eco-medical operations on lakes and wetlands.

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