Evidence‐based restoration in the Anthropocene—from acting with purpose to acting for impact

TLDR

The Anthropocene epoch underscores the need for ecological restoration to repair damaged ecosystems, and limited resources must be used wisely. The authors urge the ecological restoration community to adopt evidence‑based restoration, moving from intent to meaningful impact. Evidence‑based restoration uses systematic reviews to gather, evaluate, and synthesize credible knowledge, identify gaps, and guide robust policy and management for ecosystem restoration. Systematic reviews have revealed ineffective restoration cases and suggest that evidence‑based restoration could reframe the Anthropocene as a positive epoch.

Abstract

Abstract The recognition that we are in the distinct new epoch of the Anthropocene suggests the necessity for ecological restoration to play a substantial role in repairing the Earth's damaged ecosystems. Moreover, the precious yet limited resources devoted to restoration need to be used wisely. To do so, we call for the ecological restoration community to embrace the concept of evidence‐based restoration. Evidence‐based restoration involves the use of rigorous, repeatable, and transparent methods (i.e. systematic reviews) to identify and amass relevant knowledge sources, critically evaluate the science, and synthesize the credible science to yield robust policy and/or management advice needed to restore the Earth's ecosystems. There are now several examples of restoration‐relevant systematic reviews that have identified instances where restoration is entirely ineffective. Systematic reviews also serve as a tool to identify the knowledge gaps and the type of science needed (e.g. repeatable, appropriate replication, use of controls) to improve the evidence base. The restoration community, including both scientists and practitioners, needs to make evidence‐based restoration a reality so that we can move from best intentions and acting with so‐called “purpose” to acting for meaningful impact. Doing so has the potential to serve as a rallying point for reframing the Anthropocene as a so‐called “good” epoch.