Terrestrial ecological restoration in China: identifying advances and gaps

Abstract Background China has made great progress in ecological restoration. However, there have been no analyses on restoration for specific terrestrial ecosystems. This study identified the important knowledge gaps and advances related to China. Results 7973 papers published between 1978 2020 were investigated about 962 articles used this analysis after manually screening. Since first large national project 1978, most frequently studied ecosystem shifted from farmland ecosystems 1978–2000 forest 2000. Forests common type investigated, while less attention was paid wetlands riparian systems. Meanwhile, issue environmental pollution declining resource-carrying capacity of Studies ecoregions Loess Plateau catchment accounted more than 40% reviewed study, with predominant emphasis soil water conservation functionality. Besides, revegetation afforestation characterized projects China, but natural relatively adopted. Additionally, tool reference only four studies. Conclusions Ecological significant We how can be implemented effectively. More should restorative work systems future. The tradeoff activities, resources, carbon sink needs further research efforts. biodiversity is warranted. Newly developed theory (e.g., stepwise restoration) recently issued Chinese National Guidelines Restoration Projects effectively future works. provides essential information It also insights into development policy relevant adaptive management during U.N. decade.