Restoration principles applied to cultural landscapes

SummaryRestoration models and practise to date have been applied mainly to ecosystems. More recently, there has been a focus on the “landscape perspective” of ecosystem restoration in order to improve nature conservation and management effectiveness.Here, we clarify some of the differences between ecosystem- and landscape-oriented restoration, and propose four components that should be considered in planning and conceptualising: (a) landscape composition and configuration; (b) traditional land management techniques; (c) linear and point features; and (d) other heritage features. We further discuss the concept of reference landscapes, and the contrasts between restoration and rehabilitation. Spatial approaches to restoration are explored, comparing small areas with complete restoration (“museum landscapes”) from large areas with rehabilitation of landscape physiognomy or point and linear features. The linkages with nature conservation and the sustainable use and management of natural resources are examined in the context of a rapidly changing world.