It is the wide variety of plant life that existed in the Pre-European settlement forest that will contribute to increases in the number and diversity of insects, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. In addition, inadequate thinning has the potential to increase the intensity of wildfire and undermine the goal of re-introducing low intensity fires. One of the goals of ecologically based restoration is to restore the full suite of processes, functions and plant and wildlife species that existed in the forest prior to European settlement. The needs of endangered, threatened and sensitive species are explicitly considered. Research is beginning to demonstrate that ecologically based restoration treatments increase both the numbers of and diversity of plant and wildlife species.
Biodiversity continues to decline in the degraded, modern day ponderosa pine forest.
Ecologically based restoration offers a comprehensive approach to conserving and restoring species. Ecological restoration treatments developed by the Ecological Restoration Institute exemplify the adaptive management process by incorporating new scientific research, practical experience and monitoring in the design of each prescription. The Ecological Restoration Institute is committed to constantly adapting and refining treatments to reflect new knowledge. In addition, the ERI is committed to conducting new research to analyze the effects of restoration at larger scales. Treated forests have the potential to reduce the intensity of and slow crown-fires.