BiodivRestore Knowledge Hub: A Collaborative Network for Nature Restoration

The UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the ambitious goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework highlight the urgent need for action. We must halt the degradation of ecosystems, restore those that have suffered, and conserve the ones still intact. In alignment with this global effort, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 aims to contribute to the continuous, long-term recovery of biodiverse and resilient nature across Europe.

To address these critical challenges, BiodivERsA (now Biodiversa+) and Water JPI (now Water4all) jointly launched the “BiodivRestore” ERANET COFUND in 2020 to support research on ecosystem restoration. Building on its success and the funding 22 research projects, BiodivRestore partners established a pan-European Knowledge Hub on Nature Restoration.

This hub is a network of researchers and stakeholders, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. Its goal? To empower countries in developing and implementing national restoration plans, ultimately achieving the targets set by the EU and UN initiatives.

Composition

The BiodivRestore Knowledge Hub brings together 52 experts from various disciplines, including biodiversity, ecology, social sciences, political sciences, and land management. They come from BiodivRestore projects, but also from other Biodiversa+ projects and EU initiatives.

The Hub operates through two dedicated task forces, each focusing on a key function:

Implementation Task Force

This group strengthens the knowledge base for restoration targets and needs. They develop science-based guidance, raise awareness about restoration principles, and foster collaboration across disciplines. They also advise on cross-border coordination and capacity building for national restoration hubs.

There are 25 experts in this task force:

  • 9 from Horizon 2020 Research and Innovations Actions (RIA) and funded projects
  • 6 from BiodivRestore projects
  • 5 from other Biodiversa+ projects
  • 5 from various initiatives: Infrastructure Ecology Network Europe (IENE), LIFE programme, etc.

List of experts

Name Project (acronym)
Camilla Bertolini WaterLANDS, MAREA
Marc Bouboucha CLIMAREST
Craig Bullock WaterLANDS
Viot Emanuele Cambria LIFE PRIMED Restoration
Rory Canavan IENE
Kris Decleer INBO
Erika Fabbrizzi FORESCUE
Ana Filipa Filipe AQUAdapt
Judith Fisher WaterLANDS, COSAR, EMYS-R, FishMe, Remove Disease, Reversal
Jean-Yves Georges EMYS-R
Emma Hart WaterLANDS
Katia Hueso-Kortekaas IPAISAL
Agnieszka Józefowska SoilRise
Thomas Jung RESTORESEAS
Rachel Kristensen ARAGORN
Benjain Kupilas NICHES
Shane Mc Guinness WaterLANDS
Jérémy Piffady COSAR
Laura Puértolas Domènech REST-COAST
Astrid Schmidt-Kloiber MERLIN
Katalin Török SEPPI
Elena Veledo-Alonso InterRest
Piero Visconti NaturaConnect
Franziska Wenskus MERLIN
Tom Wild CONEXUS

Research & Innovation (R&I) Task Force

This group focuses on advancing the research and innovation agenda for restoration. They exchange ideas for future transnational research, identify gaps between research and implementation, support the WaterJPI/Water4All work, and contribute to improved policymaking tools.

There are 25 experts in this task force:

  • 12 from BiodivRestore projects
  • 7 from Horizon 2020 Research and Innovations Actions (RIA) and funded projects
  • 6 from various initiatives: IUCN, Seagrass Consortium, Senckenberg Nature Museum, etc.

List of experts

Name Project (acronym)
Teresa Amaro COAST
Kim Magnus Bærum FreshRestore
Sebastian Birk MERLIN
Magda Bou Dagher SUPERB
Mario Brauns Restolink
James Bullock N/A
Tristan da Silva e Ornelas COAST
Rik De Vreese CLEARING HOUSE, UGPplus
Walter Timo de Vries ForestFisher
Cristina Delerue-Matos BioReset
Christopher Frissel N/A
Daniel Gebler BiNatUr
Laura Guimarães BioReset
Lucinda Kirkpatrick RESTOREID
Tuula Larmola ALFAwetlands
Richard Lilley The Seagrass Consortium
Josep Lloret Pharos4MPAs
Martin Palt COSAR
Marta Pujol Martin CLIMAREST
Haniah Saeedi N/A
Metodi Sotirov BIOCONSENT, SUPERB
Ulf Stein NICHES
Twan Stoffers BioAgora
Lisa Waldenberger EcoAdvance
Shubiao Wu Wet Horizons

Habitats and environments studied

The majority of experts specialise in freshwater ecosystems, reflecting the initial focus of the BiodivRestore call, but the Hub incorporates experts across diverse environments, ensuring a well-rounded approach to restoration challenges.

■ Freshwater, riverine and inland waters ecosystems (18)
■ Terrestrial ecosystems (16)
■ Coastal and marine environments (14)
■ Terrestrial and inland waters ecosystems (13)
■ Other (1)

Countries of origin

Activities