Ecosystem Restoration Communities

Nullker fancies the trend of the world’s leading media for Q&A interviews with renowned personalities. The only thing we regret is that those interviews feature predominantly celebrities. It's time for a change!

We think that people who should be more in the spotlight are scientists, think tanks, and those saving our planet on a day-to-day basis without seeking fame or recognition. Alas, they deserve to be heard - and admired!

Today, we would like to introduce you to Pieter van der Gaag, Director of Ecosystem Restoration Communities (ERC) and Catherine Ritchie, Communication Consultant. The ERC team is saving the planet for real, not in movies. We thank Pieter and Catherine for finding the time to give answers to our questions and are happy to share them with you!

Nullker: We hear the word ‘ecosystem’ very often, but not everyone understands what exactly an ecosystem is. Could you please explain it in simple terms or using examples from everyday life? 

ERC: To understand what an ecosystem is, you have to build up an understanding of what biodiversity is. Biodiversity exists on several levels. The first level is the level of the genes: Genetic diversity. The higher the genetic diversity within one species group, the more resilient that species as a whole is. So you need many genetically diverse individuals to allow a species to be healthy. 

The next level of biodiversity is the species, which is often what we think about when we think of biodiversity - these are all the different bacteria, fungi, plants, trees, birds, fish, and animals that populate this earth. Now, why we are concerned about the loss of species is, because as the genes form the building blocks of a species, the species form part of the building blocks of ecosystems. The other set of building blocks are the rocks, flows of water, streams of air, etc. As genes turn an animal into a functioning system, biodiversity (biotic) and the rocks and water (abiotic) form a functioning ecosystem. And then, all of this interacts. 

Without functioning ecosystems, species can’t thrive. If species start to disappear (and currently we are seeing the extinction of species at a rate that beats the extinction of the dinosaur with a factor of 1000), we are removing the building blocks of functioning ecosystems. Even when species do not go extinct, us humans have the tendency to remove species anyway. We remove forests full of different species to make place for fields of one species - barley, wheat corn, cows, chickens, pigs. We remove natural systems to build our cities. We channel rivers and streams, etc. We spray pesticides on insects, or pollute our earth, poisoning all of life. In doing so we are removing biodiversity, and are degrading ecosystems in return. 

N: People may think that ecosystems have nothing to do with us and exist as self-enclosed nature’s kingdoms. Is it true? Are humans a part of these systems? Have we separated or merely distanced ourselves from the natural ecosystems by living in cities of concrete and glass? 

ERC: Humans are part of nature, inextricably linked to an abundant and diverse ecosystem. We are not separate from it. And without healthy ecosystems, there isn’t a healthy anything, because healthy ecosystems underpin everything that humanity needs to sustain life on this planet. The air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the medicine we need, and the pleasure and calm we feel when walking through a green forest. 

Our actions - whether direct or indirect - are leading to climate change, rapid biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. The earth’s surfaces and ecosystems are being swamped in plastics and pollutants; carbon emissions from unsustainable lifestyles are supercharging the greenhouse effect, causing global temperature to rise and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events; and we are changing the chemistry of our oceans and soils by bombarding them with nitrogens and chemicals through unsustainable food production practices. Restoring ecosystems can help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent a mass extinction. But it will only succeed if everyone plays a part.

N: How big is our impact on ecosystems?

ERC: Almost three quarters of our planet’s land is degraded, and more than 3 billion people are affected by soil erosion which is caused by land mismanagement and unsustainable agricultural techniques. The rate of biodiversity loss is now so high, that we are beating the extinction of the dinosaur with a factor of 1000. Basically if we continue taking away the building blocks of healthy ecosystems, we ourselves will go extinct. We have turned our once rich ecosystems into deserts by removing all that is natural and turning them into vast deserts of just one species (soy, grain, rice, cattle). Our ecosystems are on the verge of collapse, maybe even within decades. We need to work hard and fast to have our planetary ecosystem become diverse again, with biodiversity, food & water security, and abundance for all. 

N: What happens if one tiny and seemingly “unimportant” organism falls out of the ecosystem chain (say, a microbe, fungus, or worm) due to anthropogenic activity? Can the system still function?

ERC: All animals, bacteria or fungi play an essential part in maintaining the function of an ecosystem. Removal of these species in an ecosystem chain leads to a compromised ecosystem function which negatively affects the complex food web. Like with a wall: any crack or brick removed weakens it. And the tiny organisms are especially crucial. This is because bacteria, fungi and termites feed on dead or decaying organisms and convert them into carbon dioxide and nitrogen, which provide nutrients for trees and plants. They combat disease. They even act as transporters of nutrients from one species to another. 

N: How can we restore the damaged or lost ecosystems? Is it difficult? What knowledge should we have to succeed in this mission?

ERC: It IS possible to restore life-supporting ecosystems on a planetary scale. By rehabilitating damaged and degraded forest and wetland ecosystems and practicing regenerative agriculture. Ecosystem Restoration Communities at more than 60 locations worldwide are restoring the natural function to the land. This leads to an increase in soil fertility; a reduction in soil erosion, floods and drought; and the re-establishment of entire food webs. Also, natural areas thrive more and more. And, the most empowering part of this is that local communities bring about this change, working hand-in-hand with a global community committed to a more beautiful and resilient planet. What’s more, they are sharing knowledge and techniques with others, inspiring them to participate and take action.

N: Your mission statement has an interesting phrase: “to rebuild ecosystems from ground up”. Could you please tell us what it means?

ERC: Many organisations involved in saving our planet adopt a top down approach, where decisions on how things should be done are made by experts from far away, who are often not in tune with what is happening ‘on the ground’, and whose advice is received with skepticism by the people that live in the place. The key for success is that the people that live in the affected communities themselves understand what is happening, find the inspiration to do something about it, take on the leadership themselves and learn themselves what works well. That can involve experts as invited teachers or consultants. But the inspiration, intrinsic motivation, and the initiative lies with the people living on the land. That’s why we empower local restoration communities with restoration tools, expert advice, training, peer-to-peer learning, and educational opportunities, to become more knowledgeable, impactful and efficient change-makers.

And anyone can join. All can go to these projects, help out, learn, and realise how we are linked to ecosystems. And if that is too much, you can donate :-) 

N: Last but not the least important. What is your vision of a perfect future?

ERC: We imagine a future with thriving ecosystems everywhere on the planet, creating a world of abundance with more than enough natural and financial health and wealth for us all.

Thank you, ERC!

Please, show your support and admiration to ERC. They deserve it more than some of your more glamorous idols. 

With all due respect to celebrities walking this Earth and giving interviews, maybe it's time for us to ask people who protect and restore the Earth for an autograph?..