What refers to the process of returning a habitat to its prior condition?

Habitat restoration refers to the process of returning a habitat to its prior condition, aiming to recover its original structure, function, and biodiversity. This process typically involves removing invasive species, reintroducing native species, and restoring natural processes that may have been disrupted by human activities or natural disasters.

In the context of ecology, restoring a habitat can lead to improved ecosystem health and resilience. This approach is crucial for conservation efforts, where the goal is to rebuild environments that can support native wildlife and enhance biodiversity. It emphasizes a return to a state that more closely resembles the natural conditions prior to significant disturbances.

Habitat rehabilitation, while similar, often focuses more on improving the health of a degraded habitat and may lead to a condition that is not necessarily a complete return to the original state. Ecological succession refers to the natural progressive change in the composition of an ecosystem over time, while ecosystem replacement might imply completely swapping one ecosystem for another, rather than restoring it.