Ecological engineering usesecology andengineering to predict, design, construct or restore, and manageecosystems that integrate "human society with itsnatural environment for the benefit of both".[1]
Ecological engineering emerged as a new idea in the early 1960s, but its definition has taken several decades to refine. Its implementation is still undergoing adjustment, and its broader recognition as a new paradigm is relatively recent. Ecological engineering was introduced byHoward Odum and others[2] as utilizingnatural energy sources as the predominant input to manipulate and control environmental systems. The origins of ecological engineering are in Odum's work with ecological modeling and ecosystem simulation to capture holistic macro-patterns of energy and material flows affecting the efficient use of resources.
Mitsch and Jorgensen[3] summarized five basic concepts that differentiate ecological engineering from other approaches to addressing problems to benefit society and nature: 1) it is based on the self-designingcapacity of ecosystems; 2) it can be the field (or acid) test of ecological theories; 3) it relies on system approaches; 4) it conservesnon-renewable energy sources; and 5) it supports ecosystem andbiological conservation.
Mitsch and Jorgensen[4] were the first to define ecological engineering as designing societal services such that they benefit society and nature, and later noted[5][6][7][3] the design should be systems based, sustainable, and integrate society with its natural environment.
Bergen et al.[8] defined ecological engineering as: 1) utilizing ecological science and theory; 2) applying to all types of ecosystems; 3) adapting engineering design methods; and 4) acknowledging a guiding value system.
Barrett (1999)[9] offers a more literal definition of the term: "the design, construction, operation and management (that is, engineering) of landscape/aquatic structures and associated plant and animal communities (that is, ecosystems) to benefit humanity and, often, nature." Barrett continues: "other terms with equivalent or similar meanings includeecotechnology and two terms most often used in theerosion control field: soil bioengineering and biotechnical engineering. However, ecological engineering should not be confused with 'biotechnology' when describing genetic engineering at the cellular level, or 'bioengineering' meaning construction of artificial body parts."
The applications in ecological engineering can be classified into 3 spatial scales: 1)mesocosms (~0.1 to hundreds of meters); 2) ecosystems (~one to tens of km); and 3) regional systems (>tens of km). The complexity of the design likely increases with the spatial scale. Applications are increasing in breadth and depth, and likely impacting the field's definition, as more opportunities to design and use ecosystems as interfaces between society and nature are explored.[10] Implementation of ecological engineering has focused on the creation or restoration of ecosystems, fromdegradedwetlands to multi-celled tubs andgreenhouses that integrate microbial, fish, and plant services to process humanwastewater into products such as fertilizers, flowers, anddrinking water.[11] Applications of ecological engineering in cities have emerged from collaboration with other fields such aslandscape architecture,urban planning, andurban horticulture,[8] to address human health and biodiversity, as targeted by the UNSustainable Development Goals, with holistic projects such asstormwater management. Applications of ecological engineering in rural landscapes have included wetland treatment[12] and communityreforestation throughtraditional ecological knowledge.[13]Permaculture is an example of broader applications that have emerged as distinct disciplines from ecological engineering, whereDavid Holmgren cites the influence ofHoward Odum in development of permaculture.
Ecological engineering design will combinesystems ecology with the process ofengineering design.Engineering design typically involves problem formulation (goal), problem analysis (constraints), alternative solutions search, decision among alternatives, and specification of a complete solution.[14] A temporal design framework is provided by Matlock et al.,[15] stating the design solutions are considered in ecological time. In selecting between alternatives, the design should incorporateecological economics in design evaluation[15] and acknowledge a guiding value system which promotes biological conservation, benefiting society and nature.[7][8]
Ecological engineering utilizessystems ecology with engineering design to obtain a holistic view of the interactions within and between society and nature. Ecosystem simulation withEnergy Systems Language (also known as energy circuit language or energese) by Howard Odum is one illustration of this systems ecology approach.[16] This holistic model development and simulation defines the system of interest, identifies the system's boundary, and diagrams how energy and material moves into, within, and out of, a system in order to identify how to use renewable resources through ecosystem processes and increase sustainability. The system it describes is a collection (i.e., group) of components (i.e., parts), connected by some type of interaction or interrelationship, that collectively responds to some stimulus or demand and fulfills some specific purpose or function. By understanding systems ecology the ecological engineer can more efficiently design with ecosystem components and processes within the design, utilize renewable energy and resources, and increase sustainability.
Mitsch and Jorgensen[3] identified five Functional Classes for ecological engineering designs:
Mitsch and Jorgensen[3] identified 19 Design Principles for ecological engineering, yet not all are expected to contribute to any single design:
Mitsch and Jorgensen[3] identified the following considerations prior implementing an ecological engineering design:
The field of Ecological Engineering is closely related to the fields ofenvironmental engineering andcivil engineering. The three broadly overlap in the area of water resources engineering, particularly the treatment and management ofstormwater andwastewater. While the three disciplines of engineering are closely related to one another, there are distinct areas of expertise within each field.
Ecological engineering is primarily focused on the natural environment and natural infrastructure, emphasizing the mediation of the relationship between people and planet. In complementary disciplines, civil engineering is primarily focused on built infrastructure and public works while environmental engineering focuses on the protection of public and environmental health through the treatment and management of waste streams.
An academic curriculum was proposed for ecological engineering in 2001.[15] Key elements of the suggested curriculum are:environmental engineering;systems ecology;restoration ecology;ecological modeling; quantitative ecology; economics of ecological engineering, and technicalelectives.[17] Complementing this set of courses were prerequisites courses in physical, biological, and chemical subject areas, and integrated design experiences. According to Matlock et al.,[15] the design should identify constraints, characterize solutions in ecological time, and incorporate ecological economics in design evaluation. Economics of ecological engineering has been demonstrated using energy principles for a wetland.,[18] and using nutrient valuation for a dairy farm.[19] With these principals in mind, the world's first B.S. Ecological Engineering program was formalized in 2009 atOregon State University.[20]
In 2024, the USAccreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) published criteria for accreditation of Ecological Engineering program for the first time.[21] To be accredited, B.S. Ecological Engineering programs must include:
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