 Terrestrial and aquatic systems perform numerous valuable environmental functions. They recycle nutrients and minerals, purify water, attenuate floods, generate oxygen, and provide habitat for commercial, recreational and aesthetic species. Rapid growth of industry and human populations, plus demand for natural resources, has led to the degradation of many of these functions in natural systems. Restoration, or the action of returning systems to a condition approximating that prior to their disturbance, is possible and can often be done without negatively affecting project purposes or human needs. |
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Geospatial