Radboud University has secured a prestigious €6 million grant under the Horizon Europe programme for the research project NatureRestoreR: Guiding Nature Restoration through Integrated Ecological Modelling. As coordinator of the international consortium, the university plays a central role in developing new knowledge and innovative models to make nature restoration in Europe more effective and targeted.
Nature restoration as a European priority
The urgency of nature restoration in Europe is significant: 80% of habitats are in poor condition, and only a quarter of species have a favourable conservation status. The European Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) aims for the 'long-term and sustainable' restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems, thereby also contributing to climate mitigation and adaptation, preventing soil degradation, and improving food security. Member states must restore at least 20% of land and sea areas by 2030 at the latest.
However, drafting and implementing nature restoration plans is complex. Conflicting interests, uncertainties about the effectiveness of restoration measures, and the impact of climate change make it difficult to determine the right course of action.
Innovative modelling toolkit for nature restoration
The central aim of NatureRestoreR is to develop a user-friendly ecological modelling toolkit that supports policymakers and practitioners in designing and optimising national nature restoration plans.
The new toolkit:
- estimates how species and ecosystems respond to restoration measures;
- provides insight into the extent and condition of habitats;
- helps identify synergies and trade-offs among biodiversity, climate, and land use;
- identifies which restoration measures are most effective, and where.
The modelling toolkit is being tested in five European countries: Austria, Estonia, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. In each country, national restoration plans are being analysed and further optimised.
A unique consortium
The NatureRestoreR consortium comprises a unique combination of ecological researchers and partners closely involved in implementing the NRR, placing the project at the interface of science and policy. The modelling toolkit is being developed based on the latest scientific insights into nature restoration together with and for policymakers and practitioners. This co-creation process is essential to bridge the gap between science and policy, and to ensure that the knowledge gained can be directly applied in practice.
Open science and wide dissemination
All models, data, and publications from NatureRestoreR will be made openly accessible. This increases their practical value and allows organisations outside the consortium to benefit from the results as well. In addition, training sessions, workshops, and policy advice will be developed to encourage practical application. With NatureRestoreR, the Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES) is strengthening its position as a leading player in ecological research and societal impact relating to biodiversity and climate.