Articles
The choice of reference states in restoration ecology: insights from projects across different ecosystems
Received : 26 September 2025;
Accepted :
31 July 2026;
Published : 12 August 2026
References
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Abstract
Defining reference states plays a key role in ecological restoration, guiding management strategies and serving as a benchmark for evaluating ecosystem recovery. However, the choice of reference states is never entirely objective and depends on the context, value-driven approaches, and other numerous criteria such as site history and geographical setting, ecological integrity, or stakeholder interests. To shed light on how reference states are defined, we analyzed 32 restoration projects covering both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, monitored between 1999 and 2023 by researchers from the INRAE Ecological Restoration Network (REI, https://restauration-ecologique.hub.inrae.fr ). Our results highlights shared trends in the criteria used to select reference states, while also revealing variable levels of agreement among projects, with notable differences between aquatic and terrestrial projects in terms of stakeholder involvement, selected metrics, and evaluation measures. This study represents a first step before launching a broader survey within the international community. The objective is to further explore the challenges associated with defining reference states, particularly in the context of accelerating global (notably climate) change, and the new EU Nature Restoration Law being implemented across Member States.
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