RESTORATION OF DAMAGED ECOSYSTEMS 



John Cairns, Jr. 



WHY RESTORE DAMAGED ECOSYSTEMS? 



Destroying or damaging a natural system is a reprehensible act. A badly damaged 

 ecosystem is highly visible evidence of misplaced values. It proclaims not only ethical 

 insensitivity of the society in which it occurs, but also poor management. After all, 

 pollutants are merely misplaced resources. Nutrients added to lakes, rivers, and 

 oceans are badly needed on our agricultural lands. Toxic heavy metals in waste 

 streams of various manufacturing plants have commercial value. 



Some of the worst environmental damage occurs near large cities or heavily settled 

 areas. Most Americans are accustomed to getting in the family car and driving long 

 distances for recreation. Since the cost of driving is now increasing dramatically, 

 restoring areas closer to home and work makes sense. Benefits of such restorations 

 reduce travel time to recreational areas and at the same time cut transportation costs 

 and energy consumption. 



Moreover, the impact on more remote fragile natural systems would be markedly 

 reduced by restoring recreational areas in or near population centers. Finally there is 

 the matter of civic pride. The British are justifiably proud and e.xcited about the 

 transformation of the tidal Thames from a virtually lifeless river emitting noxious 

 fumes to a river which supports fish and various intensive recreational uses in one of 

 the world's largest metropolitan areas. The restoration was done without bankrupt- 

 ing businesses. Indeed evidence indicates that not only has the river become more 

 aesthetically pleasing but also that commercial value has improved far out of 

 proportion to the cost of the cleanup. 



In the 10 years since the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

 was formed, notable improvements in some American rivers (e.g., the Connecticut 

 and the Ohio) and lakes (e.g., Washington and Erie) have been realized. Many strip 

 mined lands have been converted from eyesores to systems furnishing amenities. ''- 

 The EPA has fought to arrest further degradation of the environment and to reduce 

 intrusion of deleterious materials into our air and water. While notable failures have 

 occurred, such as the kepone situation in Virginia and the "valley of the drums," 

 cautious optimism is still justified. Simply reducing the intrusion of deleterious 

 materials into the environment will almost invariably trigger a natural recovery 

 process. However, in the decade ahead, EPA should devote more attention to 

 methods and practices which will enhance prospects for the recovery of damaged 

 ecosystems, particularly in the case of disturbed lands. 



Perhaps action on restoring damaged ecosystems has not been vigorous because 

 people feel that such efforts may be terribly expensive, time consuming, and often 

 fruitless. If the process were viewed as one of restoring certain amenities, and if 



The Author. John Cairns, Jr., is University Distinguished Professor and Director, University Center for 

 Environmental Studies, Virginia Polytechnic institute and State University. He is President of the American 

 Microscopical Society and amember of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory 

 Board, the Environmental Studies Board of the National Research Council, the Editorial Board of the 

 American Resources Association and is an editor of the Journal of Environmental Patholoi>v and 

 Toxicology. 



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