Before planting begins
Restoration without baseline data cannot demonstrate success. Site assessment documents soils, hydrology, existing vegetation, disturbance history, and reference ecosystem conditions.
Assessment components
- Soil tests — texture, pH, nutrients, compaction, contamination screening.
- Hydrology — drainage patterns, seasonal flooding, groundwater influence.
- Vegetation survey — native vs invasive cover, seed bank potential, remnant patches.
- Landscape context — connectivity to source populations for colonizing species.
Reference models
Reference ecosystems (historical or nearby high-quality sites) set targets for structure and composition. Perfect replication is rarely possible — climate and soil legacies constrain outcomes.
Stakeholder mapping
Document land ownership, permits, neighbor concerns, and indigenous land rights. Social feasibility equals ecological feasibility for long-term stewardship.