Executive summary
The Restore4Life comprehensive roadmap and action plan for holistic wetland restoration address the main steps and challenges during the restoration process. It provides strategies and recommendations to guide restoration initiatives effectively and demonstrates respective examples from practice. It is meant as a “demonstrator” which accompanies Deliverable D 1.1 “Wetland Restoration Wiki”, in which an extensive literature review was carried out. This deliverable here, in contrast, is based on topical comprehensive guide elaborated by the German Environment Agency (UBA) and on the results of the technical work packages of the Restore4Life project. The roadmap emphasises the importance of building a Community of Practice (CoP) to facilitate stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange. By fostering collaboration among scientists, businesses, governmental agencies, and community members, CoPs ensure inclusive decision-making and enhance project outcomes. Additionally, effective communication strategies are recommended, as they are crucial for gaining public support and dispelling concerns often associated with restoration efforts. Pre-assessment of wetland degradation and clear definition of restoration objectives represent foundational steps outlined in the roadmap. Thorough planning and coordination are necessary to navigate through regulatory requirements, secure funding and obtain opportunities to dispose of adjacent land needed for restoration purposes. Finally, an adaptive restoration approach is recommended that helps to adapt to local features, new challenges emerging during implementation, and to consider co-creation contributions by stakeholders appearing in various project phases. The Restore4Life comprehensive roadmap and action plan thus aids to increase the probability and efficiency of successful wetland restoration, and to maintain the long-term ecological integrity of restored ecosystems.
