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3298648 
Journal Article 
What is ecological engineering? 
Mitsch, WJ 
2012 
Yes 
Ecological Engineering
ISSN: 0925-8574 
45 
5-12 
English 
WOS:000306582100002 
Ecological engineering, defined as the design of
sustainable ecosystems that integrate human society with its natural environment for the benefit
of both, has developed over the last 30 years, and rapidly over the last 10 years. Its goals
include the restoration of ecosystems that have been substantially disturbed by human activities
and the development of new sustainable ecosystems that have both human and ecological values. It
is especially needed as conventional energy sources diminish and amplification of nature's
ecosystem services is needed even more. There are now several universities developing academic
programs or departments called ecological engineering, ecological restoration, or similar terms,
the number of manuscripts submitted to the journal Ecological Engineering continue to increase at
an rapid rate, and the U.S. National Science Foundation now has a specific research focus area
called ecological engineering. There are many private firms now developing and even prospering
that are now specializing in the restoration of streams, rivers, lakes, forests, grasslands, and
wetlands, the rehabilitation of minelands and urban brownfields, and the creation of treatment
wetlands and phytoremediation sites. It appears that the perfect synchronization of academy,
publishing, research resources, and practice is beginning to develop. Yet the field still does
not have a formal accreditation in engineering and receives guarded acceptance in the university
system and workplace alike. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 
Ecological engineering; Ecological engineering principles; Ecological engineering definitions; Ecosystem restoration; Peak energy; Self-design