Ecosystem Restoration (2023)

Ecosystem Restoration 2023

In this self-paced course, you will learn to develop a step-by-step ecosystem restoration plan and apply effective restoration solutions in your national and subnational context.

Organizers:

Contributors:


 Course type: Self-paced course
 Languages: English, French, Spanish
 Estimated effort: 3-5 hours per module
Duration: 8 modules
 Partners:  United Nations Development Programme, Convention on Biological DiversityKorea Forest Service, The European Union, UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
Contributors:  Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, Society for Ecological Restoration, United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, University of Montana, BSC Group, Technische Universität München, Peatland Ecology Research Group, Université Laval, L’Institut Méditerranéen de la Biodiversité et d’Écologie marine et continentale, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)


Contact course coordinator FAQs Part 1 syllabus Part 2 syllabus

 

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2021-2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The UN Decade is a universal call for the protection and revival of ecosystems around the world, for the benefit of people and nature. 

UN Member States have committed to building synergies between existing ecosystem conservation and restoration commitments and initiatives such as the UN Decade on Restoration , the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted by Parties to the CBD in December 2022.  The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework further commits the global community to restoring degraded ecosystems through clear, measurable goals and targets to address the dangerous loss of biodiversity and safeguarding ecosystem services and functionality, and lead the way to achieving the CBD 2050 Vision of “Living in Harmony with Nature”.

Ecosystem restoration is essential to achieve the 2050 Vision and reverse the trend of biodiversity decline. Are you interested in joining this global movement to restore our natural world? Do you want to become more skilled at preventing, halting, and reversing the degradation of ecosystems? Are you looking to create a step-by-step action plan for ecosystem restoration in your country?

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are offering a FREE two-part self-paced course on Ecosystem Restoration. This course is available thanks to the generous support of the European Union and the Korea Forest Service of the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI). This course compiles research from leading institutions engaged in ecosystem restoration and experts in the field to raise awareness and build ecosystem restoration capacity.

About the course

The course serves as an introduction to the Short-Term Action Plan on Ecosystem Restoration (STAPER) — a flexible framework adopted by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to support, inter alia, governments in the development and implementation of their national restoration strategies. The course is geared to government representatives interested in creating a blueprint for ecosystem restoration at the national or subnational level, but is open to everyone. The course is available in English, French, and Spanish, and is facilitated by ecosystem restoration experts.

Course highlights and outcomes

  • Join a community-of-practice committed to preventing, halting, and reversing the trend of ecosystem degradation
  • Explore rich learning materials, diving into detailed content based on your needs
  • Learn how to select the most appropriate interventions for your context from a range of restorative practices
  • Receive certificates of completion from the course partners for completing Part 1 and Part 2 of the course

Learning objectives

By the time you complete Part 1 of this course, you will be able to:

  • Define ecosystem restoration and explain its importance 
  • Outline the types of ecosystems and ecosystem services
  • Explain approaches to and principles of restoration 
  • Place restoration in the context of large-scale initiatives and agreements

By the time you complete Part 2 of this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand how stakeholder participation and inclusive and gender-responsive planning are critical to your restoration project
  • Understand the steps and activities involved in developing a plan for ecosystem restoration
  • Tailor your restoration plan based on real-world examples 
  • Conceptualize the application of the Short-Term Action Plan on Ecosystem Restoration in your context 

Course structure

Part 1: Introduction to ecosystem restoration

  • Module 1: Introduction to ecosystem restoration
  • Module 2: Assessment of opportunities and priorities for restoration
  • Module 3: Legal, policy and governance aspects

Part 2: Applying ecosystem restoration interventions

  • Module 1: Strategic planning processes
  • Module 2: Cost-benefit analysis, accounting processes and resource mobilization
  • Module 3: Selection and implementation of restoration interventions
  • Module 4: Monitoring and evaluation
  • Module 5: Capacity building and development

Course completion certificate

This course offers two certificates of completion from the course partners: one for Part 1 and one for Part 2. You may choose to complete only one part of the course and download the certificate for that part.

To receive a certificate of completion for Part 1, you must:

  • Complete all online lessons in Part 1
  • Pass three quizzes
  • Complete the course survey for Part 1

To receive a certificate of completion for Part 2, you must:

  • Complete all online lessons in Part 2
  • Pass five quizzes
  • Complete the course survey for Part 2

Click “Enroll” to register for the course today!

When you register, you will receive a confirmation email from the course team. By registering on this page, you will be automatically enrolled in Part 1 and Part 2 of the course. You may choose to only complete Part 1 or Part 2 and receive a certificate for the part of the course that you complete.

MOOC Summary Report


Course Content

Expand all

Course Coordinator

+3287 enrolled
Not Enrolled

Course Includes

  • 6 Modules
  • 28 Activities
  • 3 quizzes
  • Course Certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

Part 1 syllabus

Module 1Module 2Module 3

Module 1: Introduction to ecosystem restoration

Module 1 will set the stage for a deep dive into developing your own restoration plan or policy, and will outline all the foundational concepts that you need to understand in order to begin your restoration journey.

REQUIRED: Lesson

  • Lesson 1: Introduction to ecosystem restoration

REQUIRED: Quiz
Quiz 1 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 1.
OPTIONAL: Video lectures

  • Dr. Tendro Tondrasoa Ramaharitra “Introduction to ecosystem restoration” (lesson summary)
  • Dr. Emanuela Weidlich “Ecosystem properties”
  • Dr. Emanuela Weidlich “Succession, trajectories, and multiple stable states”
  • Dr. Emanuela Weidlich “Landscape ecology”
  • Dr. Emanuela Weidlich “Relationship between ecology, restoration ecology, and ecological restoration”

OPTIONAL: Workbook
Workbook 1 allows you to apply the information in Module 1 to your context.
OPTIONAL: Case studies
Case studies showcase examples of successful ecosystem restoration initiatives from around the world.
OPTIONAL: Discussion forum
This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 1 for feedback from other participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 1 content following recommended prompts.


Module 2: Assessment of opportunities and priorities for restoration

In Module 2, you will be introduced to the technical assessment of opportunities for ecosystem restoration. You will learn how to identify and prioritize degraded areas for restoration action and how to identify options to reduce the drivers of ecosystem loss and degradation, including through sustainably productive activities.

REQUIRED: Lessons

  • Lesson 1: Assessing degraded ecosystems
  • Lesson 2: Prioritizing restoration areas
  • Lesson 3: Identifying options to reduce drivers of ecosystem degradation

REQUIRED: Quiz
Quiz 2 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 2.
OPTIONAL: Video lecture

  • Dr. Tendro Tondrasoa Ramaharitra “Assessment of opportunities and priorities for restoration” (lesson summary)

OPTIONAL: Workbook
Workbook 2 allows you to apply the information in Module 2 to your context.
OPTIONAL: Case studies
Case studies showcase examples of successful ecosystem restoration initiatives from around the world.
OPTIONAL: Discussion forum
This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 2 for feedback from other participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 2 content following recommended prompts.


Module 3: Legal, policy and governance aspects

In Module 3, you will learn how to account for the economic, legal, and institutional realities of your restoration program. You will understand how to identify gaps and necessary improvements in the institutional enabling environment for ecosystem restoration, including land tenure, and validate those with all stakeholders. You will also learn how the development of legal, economic, and social incentives can facilitate effective restoration interventions.

REQUIRED: Lessons

  • Lesson 1: Assessing institutional, policy and legal frameworks
  • Lesson 2: Establishing and improving frameworks for land tenure
  • Lesson 3: Building support for improving restoration frameworks

REQUIRED: Quiz
Quiz 3 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 3.
REQUIRED: Course survey
We ask that you complete a short anonymous survey about your learning experience.
OPTIONAL: Video lecture

  • Dr. Tendro Tondrasoa Ramaharitra “Legal, policy and governance aspects” (lesson summary)

OPTIONAL: Workbook
Workbook 3 allows you to apply the information in Module 3 to your context.
OPTIONAL: Case studies
Case studies showcase examples of successful ecosystem restoration initiatives from around the world.
OPTIONAL: Discussion forum
This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 3 for feedback from other participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 3 content following recommended prompts.


Part 2 syllabus

Module 1Module 2Module 3Module 4Module 5

Module 1: Strategic planning processes

In Module 1, you will be introduced to the strategic planning processes and mechanisms for ecosystem restoration. You will learn how to engage all relevant stakeholders and rights holders, ensure gender balance, and incorporate the principle of free, prior, and informed consent into restorative interventions. You will review tools, strategies, and principles behind consultation, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting, and start working on defining tasks, schedules, and budgeting.

REQUIRED: Lessons

  • Lesson 1: Involving all stakeholders
  • Lesson 2: Designing safeguard measures
  • Lesson 3: Setting goals and objectives for a restoration plan
  • Lesson 4: Developing implementation tasks, schedules and budgets

REQUIRED: Quiz
Quiz 1 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 1.
OPTIONAL: Video lectures

    • Dr. Tendro Tondrasoa Ramaharitra “Strategic planning processes” (lesson summary)

OPTIONAL: Workbook
Workbook 1 allows you to apply the information in Module 1 to your context.
OPTIONAL: Case studies
Case studies showcase examples of successful ecosystem restoration initiatives from around the world.
OPTIONAL: Discussion forum
This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 1 for feedback from other participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 1 content following recommended prompts.


Module 2: Cost-benefit analysis, accounting processes and resource mobilization

In Module 2, you will learn how to assess the costs and benefits of restoration and how and why to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. You will learn how ecosystem accounts are developed and incorporated into restoration program design. You will also review ways to develop an appropriate resource mobilization framework for ecosystem restoration.

REQUIRED: Lessons

      • Lesson 1: Assessing the costs and benefits of restoration
      • Lesson 2: Developing accounting processes
      • Lesson 3: Developing plans for resource mobilization

REQUIRED: Quiz
Quiz 2 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 2.
OPTIONAL: Video lecture

      • Dr. Tendro Tondrasoa Ramaharitra “Cost-benefit analysis, accounting processes and resource mobilization” (lesson summary)

OPTIONAL: Workbook
Workbook 2 allows you to apply the information in Module 2 to your context.
OPTIONAL: Case studies
Case studies showcase examples of successful ecosystem restoration initiatives from around the world.
OPTIONAL: Discussion forum
This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 2 for feedback from other participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 2 content following recommended prompts.


Module 3: Selection and implementation of restoration interventions

In Module 3, you will be introduced to the technical components of program implementation for ecosystem restoration. You will learn how to plan and implement the most appropriate restoration interventions for your context. You will gain an understanding of an ecosystem-based approach to restoration. Module 3 will also introduce you to the tools and strategies to address the challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples and local communities affected by restoration.

REQUIRED: Lessons

      • Lesson 1: Establishing and improving terrestrial and marine spatial planning processes
      • Lesson 2: Identifying restoration interventions
      • Lesson 3: Considering restoration’s contribution to sustainability

REQUIRED: Quiz
Quiz 3 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 3.
OPTIONAL: Video lecture

      • Dr. Tendro Tondrasoa Ramaharitra “Selection and implementation of restoration interventions” (lesson summary)
      • Dr. Emanuela Weidlich “Community assembly”

OPTIONAL: Workbook
Workbook 3 allows you to apply the information in Module 3 to your context.
OPTIONAL: Case studies
Case studies showcase examples of successful ecosystem restoration initiatives from around the world.
OPTIONAL: Discussion forum
This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 3 for feedback from other participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 3 content following recommended prompts.


Module 4: Monitoring and evaluation

In Module 4, you will be introduced to the tools and strategies to monitor, evaluate, and share lessons learned throughout your restoration program. You will learn about adaptive management, the purpose and importance of monitoring and evaluation, and how explicit feedback mechanisms can be used to improve the management of the restoration process.

REQUIRED: Lessons

      • Lesson 1: Assessing the impacts of ecosystem restoration
      • Lesson 2: Adjusting plans through adaptive management
      • Lesson 3: Sharing lessons learned

REQUIRED: Quiz
Quiz 4 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 4.
OPTIONAL: Video lecture

      • Dr. Tendro Tondrasoa Ramaharitra “Monitoring and evaluation” (lesson summary)

OPTIONAL: Workbook
Workbook 4 allows you to apply the information in Module 4 to your context.
OPTIONAL: Case studies
Case studies showcase examples of successful ecosystem restoration initiatives from around the world.
OPTIONAL: Discussion forum
This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 4 for feedback from other participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 4 content following recommended prompts.


Module 5: Capacity building and development

In Module 5, you will learn to develop an enabling environment for your restoration program by promoting and strengthening capacity-building and development. You will gain an understanding of the value of and possible channels for exchanging expertise in order to improve restoration interventions.

REQUIRED: Lessons

      • Lesson 1: Promoting and strengthening education systems for restoration
      • Lesson 2: Promoting capacity-building and development

REQUIRED: Quiz
Quiz 5 checks your comprehension of the material covered in Module 5.
REQUIRED: Course survey
We ask that you complete a short anonymous survey about your learning experience.
OPTIONAL: Video lecture

      • Dr. Tendro Tondrasoa Ramaharitra “Capacity-building and development” (lesson summary)

OPTIONAL: Workbook
Workbook 5 allows you to apply the information in Module 5 to your context.
OPTIONAL: Case studies
Case studies showcase examples of successful ecosystem restoration initiatives from around the world.
OPTIONAL: Discussion forum
This discussion forum provides a space to share your completed Workbook 5 for feedback from other participants and exchange your thoughts/questions on the Module 5 content following recommended prompts.