Restoration ecology and ecological engineering. Issues, focal points and uses

Abstract

Territories face more and more the consequences on the environment of the human activities (agriculture, forestry and industry) and are forced to restore the damaged areas. The involvement of the professional men and women to the collaborative production of scientific results with researchers forms the singularity and relevance of this scientific area. It answers to necessary demand to understand scientific and technical mechanisms of ecosystems, and to develop adapted solutions. This special issue illustrates the variety of actions of research lead in this theme. It also focuses on the specific case of abraded lands and the use of the ecological engineering to rehabilitate them.