Wednesday, July 8, 2026

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Room C2

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Details

In recent years, the restoration of ecological processes has emerged as a central paradigm in ecosystem management. As approaches such as adaptive and open-ended restoration gain traction, the focus is shifting from static conservation targets toward the reinstatement of ecosystem functionality, embracing natural dynamics. This perspective emphasizes the recovery of key ecological processes that maintain heterogeneity, resilience, and diversity of taxa. This round table aims to bring together a multidisciplinary panel of researchers and practitioners with experience across diverse ecosystem types to explore approaches towards restoring ecosystem processes that help to drive effective, adaptive strategies. A central theme of the discussion will be the concept of keystone processes, those ecological processes that exert a disproportionate influence on ecosystem function. By identifying such processes, restoration can target the functional “hubs” that sustain system integrity. Participants will examine how keystone processes differ among ecosystem types, how they can be recognized and how a process-based approach may complement biodiversity-centered approaches. Because the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is complex and context-dependent, the round table will encourage an open exchange of perspectives on how to operationalize these concepts in real-world restoration. Through case studies and applied examples, we aim to discuss how to monitor process restoration and how to integrate these insights into management and policy frameworks. By synthesizing experiences across ecological sub-disciplines and across ecosystems, this session aims to advance a shared understanding of process-based restoration as a foundation for conserving biodiversity, rebuilding ecosystem integrity, and ultimately bending the curve of nature loss.

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Organiser