Conjugate ecological restoration approach with a case study in Mentougou district, Beijing

Ecological restoration is a comprehensive engineering field that involves multidisciplinary and multisectoral efforts. More and more research works have been focused on ecological restoration since the 1980s. However, until now, most studies pay attention mainly on ecological technology, ecological policy, restoration of some certain ecosystem, and so on. There are few studies regarding the restoration plan of regional or the entire ecosystem. The objects of present research studies are mainly natural ecosystem; however, ecosystem is a complex system that encompasses natural, economic, and social sectors. Human society has great intimidation on nature, and if the degenerate social and economical systems do not get restored, the vicious cycle of degeneration will continue and the effects of natural ecosystem restoration cannot possibly be guaranteed.In this article, the author puts forward conjugate ecological restoration based on theories of complex ecosystem and restoration ecology. The connotation is scientifically described and an evaluation system is established. Natural, economic, and social ecosystem restoration plans are presented and made based on the comprehensive evaluation. Conjugate ecological restoration plan in Mentougou district, Beijing, is taken as a case study. The plan includes three parts: nature, economy, and society. Moreover, ecological restoration technologies and demonstration projects are designed for different types of degradation.The author modifies the Full Permutation Polygon Synthetic Indicator Method and uses it in the comprehensive evaluation. Compared with the original method, the weight parameter is added into the evaluation system, which makes the method more scientific.

Research highlights
► The author puts forward the concept and connotation of conjugate ecological restoration.
► An evaluation system is established and natural, economic and social ecosystem restoration plans can be made based on it.
► The Full Permutation Polygon Synthetic Indicator Method is ameliorated and used in the evaluation system and make the result more scientific.