Restoration richness tipping point meta‐analysis: finding the sweet spot

LORTIE, CHRISTOPHER J; MIGUEL, M. FLORENCIA; FILAZZOLA, ALESSANDRO; BUTTERFIELD, H. SCOTT

RESTORATION ECOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2022

1061-2971

Species richness is a fundamental component of ecological research includingrestoration. Managing for enhanced native species richness in restoration is apowerful goal and outcome; nonetheless, local species richness can also be used asa proximate mechanism to decide on the lands to acquire, protect, and restore.Here, a meta-analysis was used to test the hypothesis that local species richness is aviable consideration in predicting varied restoration outcomes as identified by theprimary researchers for drylands. In all dryland contexts, the most effectiverestoration outcomes across varied restoration interventions were at mid-to relatively lower species rich sites. Consequently, restoration of degraded or lowdiversity arid grasslands is an important strategic opportunity during the UN Decadeon Ecosystem Restoration, and plant species richness is an excellent starting point toinform decisions.