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Well
designed experiments and careful monitoring can ensure that there
are no complete failures in dryland restoration. Careful reviews of
past experience and relevant literature are critical steps in
restoration, yet often neglected. Long term monitoring is essential,
but often difficult to fund and maintain in a manner that will make
it accessible for future investigators. Regional and national
repositories are desirable to aid future restoration designers and
investigator.
Monitoring of both ecosystem structure and more critically,
function, is needed to improve restoration techniques and
procedures. More careful development of standards and protocols can
minimize cost and maximize value, but this will require an
international, interdisciplinary effort. A program to lend or rent
ecosystem monitoring instruments would be helpful, modeled on the
building evaluation program developed by Society for Building
Science Educators “vital signs” program.
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