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In addition to studying the various factors mention above applied ecologists other major point of interest and active research is the application of ecological knowledge to address environmental challenges. Applied ecologists also study specifically how organisms and ecosystems are affected by human beings. One of the main of goals of applied ecology is to develop plans to counter the effects of human actions on our biosphere as a whole. Restoration ecology is an example of how applied ecology can be used to help restore or maintain a particular ecosystem. It is a branch of ecology that explores all the different abiotic and biotic factors that affect an ecosystem, i.e. climate change, loss of biodiversity, nitrogen deposition, invasive species etc. After taking all these factors into consideration a decision is made on how best to go about solving the problem.

The complicated part of this process is the general perception as to how environments will be restored.The common belief is that applied ecology is avenue to the past;a way to recreate environments that are no more. Unfortunately, there is no real scientific evidence to support this belief. In fact the effects of applied ecology can can have either effect. There is no guarantee that any environment can or will be returned to its original state. The old saying " You cant step into the same ecosystem twice " is quite appropriate in this situation. Therefore applied ecologists are calling for a more concrete succinct concept of the extent to which applied ecology can help maintain a natural healthy environment. This will be the work of future applied ecologists; further defining this field as a science and as a method for preserving our environment for years to come.