A biogeographical approach to species selection for ecological restoration projects in temperate European grasslands

In ecological restoration, we try to return an ecosystem from degraded to a natural state, by using various treatments, and returning the native plant species back to a site with seeding or planting. Restoration is not a magic bullet and is a risky action, which we are still learning much about. A restoration project is always constrained by the number of plant species is can use based on various logistical and financial constraints. What species to use and where to use them is rarely thought out scientifically, but can have lasting results as a complimentary conservation action. Which species can be sourced commercially and which need to be collected by hand can have major impacts on a project budget. Next, understanding which occur naturally, and where, and in what frequency could be important to understand in creating species mixes. The traits of plant species relating to natural regeneration can be important for understanding restoration action and timing. Finally, how to prioritize project constraints with desired species and the ecosystem function each plant species uniquely contributes to, could have profound effects, on restoring not just plant species richness, but also the natural processes that make up a healthy ecosystem. Here, we explore four different aspects of this main question of which species should be used where and why, and arrive at frameworks that could further multi-national decision making and policy. The work presented here, transcends that of a case study, and the questions, methods, and approaches employed could be applied to any ecosystem globally.