SS 38 - Trait-based Approaches to Restoration Ecology: Synthesizing Insights from Diverse Systems

Session Description: The field of restoration ecology is rapidly evolving to meet challenges created by climate change and other anthropogenic disturbances. Specifically, restoration programs often aim to recover ecosystem function and rebuild resilience. To reach desired restoration outcomes, a growing body of literature has explored the application of species functional traits to restoration design. Trait-based approaches can offer insight on the ecological roles and environmental tolerances of species, which could aid in the selection of functionally diverse and resilient species assemblages for restoration. Although some fields have begun to incorporate traits in restoration practice, its application largely varies across ecological systems. In fact, trait-based approaches have almost exclusively been used in terrestrial plant restoration and rarely in freshwater, marine, or estuarine ecosystems. Here, we aim to integrate perspectives from diverse systems to synthesize approaches, fill knowledge gaps, and facilitate the adoption of trait-based methods, aligning the trajectory of restoration outcomes with overarching objectives. Evidence-based strategies can help restoration practitioners meet goals to ensure the re-establishment of self-sustaining functions and reduce susceptibility to future disturbance. This special session will bring together presenters applying trait-based approaches in different fields of restoration to discuss their ongoing research, as well as future directions, with participants. Specifically, speakers will lead 5 minute presentations with 2-3 minutes of questions on how species traits have been applied to restoration methods in their respective study systems (total = 45 mins). The talks will provide a foundation from which the facilitators can synthesize the types of traits applied across systems, their links to specific indicators and functions, and how they are/can be used in restoration design and evaluation. Following these talks, participants and speakers will be divided into groups (total = 45 mins) and work through a set of guided activities in three stations (e.g. 10-12 mins each) designed to evaluate the current state of the field: 1) strengths or advantages, 2) limitations or challenges, and 3) guidance towards filling knowledge gaps that would help realize strengths and minimize limitations (e.g. next steps and action items) of applying trait-based approaches to restoration. As groups rotate through each topic, participants will iteratively build on knowledge generated by other groups and speakers will facilitate discussion. Participants will leave this special session with an enhanced understanding of how integrating multi-system perspectives can direct or improve functional outcomes and the opportunity to engage further in a written product or synthesis of the session.