Restoration Biology

This division restores degraded ecosystems and rebuilds ecological resilience across South India's tropical landscapes. Restoration is more than recovering vegetation: it is the science and practice of restoring ecosystem structure, ecological processes, biodiversity and the relationships that sustain life.

Many ecosystems have been altered by habitat degradation, biological invasions, unsustainable land use, mining, pollution, river modification, climate change and fragmentation. Our work spans forests, riparian ecosystems, freshwater wetlands, grasslands, peatlands, lateritic plateaus and coastal habitats — places that have received limited restoration attention.

We integrate ecological research, native species propagation, invasive species management, long-term monitoring, geospatial technologies and community participation to build restoration models that are practical and scalable, working with indigenous communities, residents, researchers, students, government agencies and conservation organisations.

A key focus is restoring ecosystem functions rather than simply increasing vegetation cover. Healthy ecosystems regulate water, enrich soils, store carbon, support pollinators and sustain livelihoods.