Using Plant Functional Traits to Inform Wetland Restoration

Plant functional trait frameworks have been increasingly used to understand plant community dynamics, linkages between plants and ecosystem function, and have recently been applied to inform species selection for restoration of many ecosystem types. Yet, despite rapid development in this field over the past decade, the use of plant functional trait frameworks in the context of wetland restoration remains limited. Ambitious wetland restoration goals, and previous difficulties to meet them, underscore the need for continued refinement of science-backed restoration approaches for present and future conditions. Plant functional traits are one approach that deserves additional attention and scientific inquiry to inform restoration in wetlands. We conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature (published 2000 to 2020) addressing plant functional traits in wetland restoration. Here, we summarize that body of literature and identify factors limiting the inclusion of plant functional trait frameworks in wetland restoration. We emphasize the need for consensus on terminology and trait selection in this field, provide definitive guidelines for moving this field forward for both researchers and practitioners, identify key plant functional traits to inform specific restoration goals, and highlight case studies exemplary of this approach in wetland restoration. A plant functional trait framework has the potential to inform and improve restoration of the world's wetlands by making important linkages between traits, desired ecosystem functions, and restoration trajectories. However, the use of this approach requires further development and that both research and practice reach a consensus on which traits are most critical to measure.