Shaping the future of ecological restoration: Integrating predictability and adaptive insights
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Abstract
Introduction: Ecological restoration must move beyond fixed historical baselines to face the realities of climate change, biodiversity loss, and complex socioecological dynamics. Framework for restoration: We propose the Future-Based Approach (FaBRestor), a novel framework that reframes restoration as a forward-looking, adaptive process. FaBRestor integrates multitemporal lenses—past legacies, present conditions, and future projections to design interventions that are ecologically sound and socially inclusive, better coping with global change. This article outlines the framework’s core principles, including adaptive management, transdisciplinary collaboration, and the use of predictive tools, demonstrating how they are put together in a holistic and interconnected way. Implications for practice: FaBRestor provides essential strategic support for practitioners and decision-makers, offering forward-looking strategies to cope with global change and dynamic ecosystems. Its novelty lies in the systematic integration of emerging best practices into a single, coherent framework. While individual components may exist in the literature, they are rarely combined into an actionable strategy. FaBRestor provides interconnection among the elements, better equipping restoration efforts for an uncertain future by promoting more flexible, adaptive, and resilient outcomes.
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Abstract
Introduction: Ecological restoration must move beyond fixed historical baselines to face the realities of climate change, biodiversity loss, and complex socioecological dynamics. Framework for restoration: We propose the Future-Based Approach (FaBRestor), a novel framework that reframes restoration as a forward-looking, adaptive process. FaBRestor integrates multitemporal lenses—past legacies, present conditions, and future projections to design interventions that are ecologically sound and socially inclusive, better coping with global change. This article outlines the framework’s core principles, including adaptive management, transdisciplinary collaboration, and the use of predictive tools, demonstrating how they are put together in a holistic and interconnected way. Implications for practice: FaBRestor provides essential strategic support for practitioners and decision-makers, offering forward-looking strategies to cope with global change and dynamic ecosystems. Its novelty lies in the systematic integration of emerging best practices into a single, coherent framework. While individual components may exist in the literature, they are rarely combined into an actionable strategy. FaBRestor provides interconnection among the elements, better equipping restoration efforts for an uncertain future by promoting more flexible, adaptive, and resilient outcomes.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.32942/X2H36K
Subjects
Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment, Forest Management, Natural Resources and Conservation, Other Environmental Sciences, Other Forestry and Forest Sciences
Keywords
ecological restoration, Climate Resilience, adaptive management, Transdisciplinary approaches, Future-based planning
Dates
Published: 2025-08-06 02:04
Last Updated: 2025-11-13 03:04
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License
CC-BY Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Additional Metadata
Conflict of interest statement:
Some authors are affiliated with a private sector company specializing in direct seeding for tropical reforestation. However, this affiliation did not influence the article's framework and discussions. No conflicts of interest exist regarding the publication of this work.
Language:
English
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License: CC-BY-NC-4.0