The SER Standards: a globally relevant and inclusive tool for improving restoration practice—a reply to Higgs et al

• Published in: Restoration ecology Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 426 - 430
• Main Authors: Gann, George D., McDonald, Tein, Aronson, James, Dixon, Kingsley W., Walder, Bethanie, Hallett, James G., Decleer, Kris, Falk, Donald A., Gonzales, Emily K., Murcia, Carolina, Nelson, Cara R., Unwin, Alan J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Wiley Periodicals, Inc 01-05-2018; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: ecological restoration targets; Ecology; Environmental restoration; global restoration policy; International standards; Organizational structure; Policies; reference ecosystems; Restoration; restoration principles; restoration standards; restorative continuum
• ISSN: 1061-2971; 1526-100X
• DOI: 10.1111/rec.12819

In response to a critique by Higgs et al., this article clarifies the content and intent of the Society for Ecological Restoration's (SER) International Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration. Higgs et al. expressed concern that the SER Standards are not sufficiently underpinned by principles and risk disenfranchising some practitioners by narrowing what qualifies as ecological restoration. To demonstrate that these concerns are unfounded, we discuss the policy context and principles on which the Standards are based, its organizational structure, the innovative and inclusive approach used for development, and highlight significant errata by Higgs et al.