International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Third edition

George D. Gann; Tein McDonald; Bethanie Walder; James Aronson; Cara R. Nelson; James G. Hallett; Manuel R. Guariguata; Emily K. Gonzales; Fangyuan Hua; Cristian Echeverría; Cristina Eisenberg; Junguo Liu; Kris Decleer; Zoe E. Barr; David C. Bartholomew; Marina Best; Robin Chazdon; An Cliquet; Jordi Cortina-Segarra; Harmender Kalirai; Keith MacCallum; Amarizni Mosyaftiani; Simone Pedrini; Renee Young; Kingsley W. Dixon

doi:10.1111/rec.70441

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International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Third edition

Journal article

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International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Third edition

George D. Gann, Tein McDonald, Bethanie Walder, James Aronson, Cara R. Nelson, James G. Hallett, Manuel R. Guariguata, Emily K. Gonzales, Fangyuan Hua, Cristian Echeverría, …

Restoration Ecology, Vol.34, pp.1-81

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.70441

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Abstract

ecological restoration

ecosystem restoration

Five‐star System

native ecosystems

reference models

restoration projects

Restorative Continuum

Introduction Growth in understanding of ecological restoration necessitates updated guidance for effective, equitable, and outcome-oriented restoration across terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine ecosystems. The third edition of the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration provides an expanded, evidence-based framework for ecological restoration aligned with the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and other global frameworks. Objectives This revision clarifies terminology, updates Principles with current science and practice, provides expanded Standards of Practice, and improves the Five-star System. Methods While key elements of the previous version were retained, substantial revisions were made. Results This document synthesizes eight Principles of ecological restoration and details Standards of Practice spanning assessment, planning, implementation, ongoing management, and monitoring and evaluation. Standards are applicable across ecosystems and biomes, sectors, and diverse social and cultural contexts. Included are: (1) a clarified definition of ecological restoration emphasizing recovery of native ecosystems; (2) refined terminology and updated Standards of Practice; (3) zero-star baselines and increased quantification of the Five-star System; (4) an updated Restorative Continuum that refines the relationships between restorative activities and major restoration types and illustrates application to all major ecosystem types; and (5) expanded discussion of several complex topics. Conclusions Applying the SER Standards can help reduce risk and uncertainty and enhance ecological restoration outcomes, including creating synergies with other restorative and conservation activities.

Details

Title: International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Third edition
Authors: George D. Gann (Corresponding Author) - Society for Ecological Restoration
Tein McDonald - Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia (Australia)
Bethanie Walder - Society for Ecological Restoration
James Aronson - Missouri Botanical Garden
Cara R. Nelson - International Union for Conservation of Nature
James G. Hallett - Society for Ecological Restoration
Manuel R. Guariguata - Center for International Forestry Research
Emily K. Gonzales - Parks Canada
Fangyuan Hua - Peking University
Cristian Echeverría - University of Concepción
Cristina Eisenberg - Ecocultural Resources, LLC (United States)
Junguo Liu - North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power
Kris Decleer - Research Institute for Nature and Forest
Zoe E. Barr - Yale University
David C. Bartholomew - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Marina Best - Society for Ecological Restoration
Robin Chazdon - University of the Sunshine Coast
An Cliquet - Ghent University
Jordi Cortina-Segarra - University of Alicante
Harmender Kalirai - SCOR SE (France)
Keith MacCallum - Society for Ecological Restoration
Amarizni Mosyaftiani - Society for Ecological Restoration
Simone Pedrini - Curtin University
Renee Young - Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute (Australia)
Kingsley W. Dixon - The University of Western Australia
Publication details: Restoration Ecology, Vol.34, pp.1-81
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.1111/rec.70441
ISSN: 1526-100X
Copyright note: © 2026 Society for Ecological Restoration. Restoration Ecology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Ecological Restoration. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Grant note: Darwin Initiative (DAREX001) / Generalitat Valenciana (CIPROM/2021/001)
Organisation Unit: Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991241400902621
Output Type: Journal article

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