Elsevier

Ecological Engineering

Volume 32, Issue 3, 3 March 2008, Pages 199-205
Ecological Engineering

Editorial
Redefining ecological engineering to promote its integration with sustainable development and tighten its links with the whole of ecology

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2007.11.007Get rights and content

Abstract

Ecological engineering was defined several decades ago, both in the academic field and in management. However, ecological engineering seems to be re-emerging as an academic field and as a cornerstone concept in French ecologists’ writings. I first summarize Barbault and Pavé's [Barbault, R., Pavé, A., 2003. Territoire de l’écologie et écologie des territoires. In: Caseau, P. (Ed.), Etudes sur l’environnement: de l’échelle du territoire à celle du continent, Tec et Doc Lavoisier, Paris, pp. 1–49] point of view on why ecological engineering now seems rehabilitated in France. I next propose a definition of ecological engineering, in accordance with the two reasons for its French re-emergence, i.e. the prevalence of the concept of sustainable development and the development of applied ecological sub-disciplines. This leads us to suggest that ecological engineering should be ecological in the broad sense, and not only targeted to the ecosystem level. I end the paper by discussing some problems and characteristics of ecological engineering that stem from this definition.

Introduction

As with many modern concepts, the concept of ecological engineering is one that at first appears attractive, consensual and intuitive, marrying engineering methods with the expertise of the ecological scientist under the banner of increasing respect for nature. Furthermore, it is a concept that is gaining force, both as an international academic discipline, and among scientific discourse in France. Although the term is becoming increasingly common, “ecological engineering” is not always used in the same sense. My aim in this text is to provide a definition of ecological engineering by reflecting upon existing definitions and analyses. The relationship between this concept and the current forms of natural systems management, ecological science and the notion of sustainable development leads me to propose a wider definition than is normally used, and one which is more consistent with the reasons behind the reappearance of the term “ecological engineering” in France. In terms of the ecological element of the discipline, I believe that it is particularly important not to restrict ecological engineering solely to ecosystem-level engineering. Our final discussion will centre on some of the consequences of this definition.

Section snippets

How can the current popularity of the notion of ecological engineering in the scientific community be explained? A brief history

Whilst its principal aim was present in the spirit of the founding fathers of ecology (Barbault and Pavé, 2003), the term ecological engineering was first coined in the 1960's by H.T. Odum (Mitsch, 2003, Mitsch and Jorgensen, 2003, Odum and Odum, 2003). Closely linked with ecosystem ecology (or ecosystemics), it was first used to describe energy flows: it corresponds to “those cases in which the energy supplied by man is small relative to the natural sources, but sufficient to produce large

Defining ecological engineering

What is understood by ecological engineering? The “traditional” definition of ecological engineering (that used by Odum) is associated with the idea of implementing natural cycles for the benefits of humanity and the ecosystems themselves—an approach which focuses on ecosystems within the framework of a partnership between man and nature. The definition of Mitsch and of the journal Ecological Engineering is further restricted to the “design of ecosystems”. However, below this apparent

A few examples

The definition used here is a wide one. It does not, in itself, demand reconsideration of age-old practices (agronomics, sylviculture …), nor of more recent practices (impact studies …). Ecological engineering being broadened, it will often be useful to qualify it more precisely:

  • according to the level of organisation: ecosystem-level; community-level; population-level;

  • according to its aims and the risk it poses to the environment concerned: impact ecological engineering; conservation ecological

Discussion

In view of the examples cited above, it appears that ecological engineering does not significantly change our ecosystem management practices: it can encapsulate the way in which ecosystems have been managed and, in certain cases, permit the destruction of some ecosystems …. What, therefore, is the contribution of the definition of ecological engineering proposed here? Furthermore, what are the difficulties that it will need to overcome?

Conclusions

After a brief history of ecological engineering, I proposed a wide-ranging definition of ecological engineering, which is compatible with its role in the concept of sustainable development and with a broad range of ecological disciplines, especially applied disciplines. I deliberately excluded a purely ecosystemic ecological engineering because society's demands can concern other ecological levels and because there is no use pretending that there is a “knock-on effect” from the smooth running

Acknowledgement

I thank the reviewers for comments on the paper and suggested readings.

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