Restoration Ecology Group

A new European Union consultation has been launched on the future application of the "Do No Significant Harm" (DNSH) principle for the 2028–2034 period.

A new study by H. M. Odongo, M. Halassy, A. M. Csergő and K. Török, published in Plants, examined how consistently differences among populations of Festuca vaginata—a dominant grass of Hungary's open sandy grasslands—persist when plants are grown under common environmental conditions.

A new scientific paper led by our colleagues at the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research has been published in Conservation Biology. The study provides important insights into how biodiversity-friendly management can contribute to effective nature conservation and restoration.

Ecological restoration rarely follows a predictable path. Climate change, invasive species, pollution and other external pressures mean that restoration must be planned with uncertainty in mind. The final publication in our Policy Brief Series examines how the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) supports adaptive, science-based restoration...

Cities are often seen as places apart from nature, yet urban ecosystems play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, improving climate resilience and enhancing people's well-being. The fourth publication in our Policy Brief Series explores how the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) puts urban nature firmly on the restoration agenda for...

Forests are among Europe's most valuable ecosystems, providing habitat for countless species, storing carbon, regulating water and supporting human well-being. Yet they are increasingly threatened by intensive management, climate change, droughts, pests and wildfires. The third publication in our Policy Brief Series examines how the EU...

Successful ecosystem restoration starts long before the first seed is sown. A newly published Biodiversa+ policy brief highlights why the availability of native, locally adapted seeds is one of the biggest challenges facing nature restoration in Europe and beyond. With restoration efforts set to expand under the EU Nature Restoration...

A new briefing published by the European Habitats Forum (EHF) highlights inspiring examples of successful nature restoration projects from across Europe, demonstrating that ecological restoration is not only possible but already delivering tangible benefits for biodiversity, climate resilience and local communities. The publication comes at a...

Agricultural landscapes are among Europe's most important ecosystems, yet they have experienced dramatic declines in biodiversity over recent decades. The second publication in our Policy Brief Series explores how the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) can help reverse these trends while contributing to climate resilience, healthier soils and...

The implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) is entering a crucial phase across Europe. To support policymakers, practitioners, researchers and all those involved in restoration, the SER Europe Legal Working Group has published a series of concise policy briefs that unpack some of the Regulation's most important legal...

The third edition of the International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration has been published in the latest special issue of Restoration Ecology. Developed by the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) in collaboration with leading experts worldwide, the updated guidance provides a comprehensive, evidence-based...

The latest episode of the Greenfo podcast, Nature Restoration in Hungary: A Shared Responsibility, A Local Task, explores the opportunities and challenges of implementing the EU Nature Restoration Regulation in Hungary. The discussion was recorded during the 35th National Meeting of Hungarian Green Civil Organisations held in Szentendre in May 2026...

The past few years of extreme drought in Hungary have made the problem of climate change — which has actually been ongoing for decades — tangible for many people. The importance of water retention is receiving increasing attention, and regulatory and practical measures have been launched to conserve water in the landscape. While the sight of...