Restoring Riparian Ecosystems During the UN-Decade on Ecosystem Restoration: A Global Perspective

Ecosystems across the globe, be it terrestrial, marine or transitional in nature are under pressure due to multiple drivers of changes including anthropogenic. Restoring the vitality of degraded systems is crucial for fulfilling the UN-Sustainable Development Goals in a timely manner. It is also essential for attaining the targets of the ambitious UN-Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (UN-DER). Riparian ecosystems are one among systems undergoing drastic changes due to anthropogenic pressures. They are a heterogeneous and biodiversity rich system due to its transitional zone occurrence between terrestrial and aquatic realms, including riverbanks, floodplains and wetlands, and provide ecosystem services on both local as well as global levels. Here we review the prospects of restoring riparian ecosystems in the context of the UN-DER. Even though the momentum for restoring riparian habitats began in the 1970s, our study reveals that intensive restoration programmes across the world are sparse and more efforts are needed to restore degraded riparian systems for regaining ecosystem health and complexity. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of various strategies deployed for restoring riparian ecosystems around the world reveals that a participatory approach and site-specific strategies are needed for better output. Also, active along with passive restoration is required for better recovery. We suggest a three-stage strategy—preassessment, restoration activities and post monitoring and maintenance. It includes the involvement of stakeholders across all stages, which also supports their livelihoods. The restoration of riparian ecosystems supports the targets of UN-DER while providing both global as well as local ecosystem services.