ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the relationship between restoration science and law. The relationship involves mutual influences. Linking restoration science and law poses several challenges. The chapter provides a review of the literature, using insights from restoration science and legal analysis, rather than any empirical fieldwork. Restoration ecology, as the principal field of science underpinning ecological restoration activities, is a relatively young discipline. The concept of novel ecosystems, however, has raised many concerns and criticisms among restoration scientists and practitioners, and triggered vivid debates on the implications for management and restoration. Due to the lack of definitions and clarity of the legal restoration obligations and targets in international law, the development of principles and standards can be a very useful instrument to complement and clarify the legal requirements. Principles and standards can help to define different types of restoration projects, and ensure that these projects are implemented in an appropriate way and according to the best available techniques.
