Ten years to restore the planet: a seedy situation

Abstract

Almost 1 billion hectares of land have been pledged for restoration globally under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Seed‐based restoration will be essential to achieve native revegetation targets in a timely and effective manner. However, problematic seed germination, seeding environments, and seed handling can limit our ability to use native seeds in revegetation. Seed enhancement technologies (SETs) are post‐harvest seed treatments, which may improve seed performance and handling, thereby optimizing seed‐use efficiency and success in restoration. We highlight SETs as a restoration tool accessible to anyone and which can also be used to deliver seed‐based restoration at scale. If SETs are to rise to the challenge of restoration targets in the coming decade, improving native seed supply, research efforts, knowledge and data sharing, and collaboration and funding will be essential. These actions are discussed within a roadmap for advancing SETs in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.