Native seeds: a small detail with a big impact on nature restoration

Successful ecosystem restoration starts long before the first seed is sown. A newly published Biodiversa+ policy brief highlights why the availability of native, locally adapted seeds is one of the biggest challenges facing nature restoration in Europe and beyond. With restoration efforts set to expand under the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, the publication calls for better planning, traceable seed supply chains and stronger support for native seed production to ensure that restoration projects can deliver lasting ecological benefits.

The brief brings together the latest scientific knowledge with practical policy recommendations. It explains why using the right plant material matters for biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and climate adaptation, and offers concrete guidance for policymakers on how to build reliable native seed supply systems—from planning future seed demand to supporting growers and introducing Seed Transfer Zones.

We are especially pleased that Dr Katalin Török, one of the leading researchers of our Restoration Ecology Research Group at the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, played a key role in developing the publication. As a member of the BiodivRestore Knowledge Hub, she invested significant time and expertise in co-developing and validating the scientific content, helping turn cutting-edge restoration research into practical guidance for European decision-makers.