June 23, 2026 — The journal Restoration Ecology officially published the third edition of the International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration, widely known as the SER Standards. Professor Junguo Liu of North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power contributed to the publication together with internationally recognized experts in ecological restoration, water resources, and ecosystem science.

Released by the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), the SER Standards provide updated guidance for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of ecological restoration projects worldwide. The third edition reflects recent developments in restoration science, practice, and policy, and offers a systematic framework for improving restoration outcomes across different ecological and social contexts.

The new edition further refines the definition and scope of ecological restoration. It places greater emphasis on native ecosystems, inclusive language, and the integration of diverse knowledge systems, including Indigenous Knowledge. It also highlights the importance of data sovereignty, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and the co-participatory relationship between people and ecosystems. These updates reflect the growing recognition that ecological restoration requires both scientific rigor and social-ecological engagement.

The third edition also strengthens guidance for quantitative assessment and performance tracking. The updated recovery assessment framework, including the five-star system and baseline conditions, supports more detailed evaluation of restoration progress over time. The document provides expanded guidance across the full project cycle, including assessment, planning and design, implementation, ongoing management, monitoring, and evaluation. This framework can help restoration practitioners, policymakers, funders, and project managers reduce uncertainty and improve decision-making.

The new Standards are also closely aligned with major global policy mechanisms, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. By linking project-level restoration practice with broader monitoring, reporting, and evaluation needs, the Standards provide important support for global efforts to address biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change.

The Society for Ecological Restoration noted that the third edition represents a collective effort by experts and practitioners from around the world. As a living document, the Standards will continue to evolve with advances in restoration science, practice, and policy.

The third edition of the SER Standards is now available through Restoration Ecology.

DOI:
10.1111/rec.70441