SER Standards Tools

The SER Standards (Gann et al. 2019) include both the Ecological Recovery Wheel (ERW) and the Social Benefits Wheel (SBW). Both wheels are tools that support the application of standards-based ecological restoration beginning at the assessment and planning stages, and continuing throughout the restoration process. They are designed to support a comprehensive approach to both the ecological and social components of ecological restoration.

Each wheel is directly underpinned by its own 5-star scale that helps evaluate both baseline conditions and progress towards targets or goals for each of the six key attributes in that wheel. The wheels and the 5-star scales can be calibrated to more specifically apply to the conditions associated with that sector, biome, or type of restoration (see Mine Site Restoration Standards for example). You can find links below to downloadable and interactive versions of the generic ERW and SBW as well as updated tables supporting the 5-star scales. As biome or sector specific wheels and 5-star scales become available, they will also be posted on this page.

If you have recommendations for modifications or want to share modifications you have created, please email info@ser.org.

The Ecological Recovery Wheel (ERW) is a tool for conveying progress of recovery of ecosystem attributes compared to those of a reference model (Gann et al. 2019). In the example pictured below, the first wheel represents the condition of each attribute assessed during the baseline inventory stage of the project. The second wheel depicts a 10-year-old restoration project, where over half its attributes have attained a 4-star condition.

Practitioners familiar with the project goals, objectives, site-specific indicators, and recovery levels achieved to date can shade the segments for each sub-attribute after formal or informal evaluation. Sub-attribute labels can be added or modified to best represent a particular project.

Access and use the Ecological Recovery wheel through these tools:

• Download and print the Blank Project Evaluation Template from the SER Standards here.
• Download the editable interactive version of the ERW wheel along with instructions here, Editable ERW Template.
• Check out an interactive version of the ERW created by SER-Australasia here.

Citation for the original Ecological Recovery Wheel and the Blank Project Evaluation Template:

Gann GD, McDonald T, Walder B, Aronson J, Nelson CR, Jonson J, Hallett JG, Eisenberg C, Guariguata MR, Liu J, Hua F, Echeverria C, Gonzales, EK, Shaw N, Decleer K, Dixon KW. 2019. International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Second edition. Restoration Ecology S1-S46. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rec.13771

Citation for interactive version of the ERW:

Editable Ecological Recovery Wheel template for SER's International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration (Gann et al. 2019), developed by L. Gallet, based on Gann et al. (2019), McDonald et al. (2016), and the online recovery wheel by S. Pedrini, with support from PEPPS research program, Laboratoire Géoarchitecture, Univ. Brest, S. Gallet, Coordinator. https://www.ser.org/page/Standards-Tools

Similar to the Ecological Recovery Wheel, the Social Benefits Wheel is designed to to assist in tracking the degree to which an ecological restoration project or program is attaining its social development targets and goals (Gann et al. 2019). The Social Benefits Wheel recognizes that ecological recovery cannot occur without robust community engagement that helps define not just the ecological objectives, but also the socio-cultural and socio-economic objectives of the project, especially within the context, e.g., of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

A downloadable and editable interactive version of the wheel will be posted here soon. In the meantime you can download and print a blank version of the Social Benefits Wheel and data sheet here.

Citation: Gann GD, McDonald T, Walder B, Aronson J, Nelson CR, Jonson J, Hallett JG, Eisenberg C, Guariguata MR, Liu J, Hua F, Echeverria C, Gonzales, EK, Shaw N, Decleer K, Dixon KW. 2019. International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Second edition. Restoration Ecology S1-S46. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rec.13771

The Five-star System is a tool used to identify the level of ecological recovery or social benefits desired and achieved through a project. It is directly tied to the ecological recovery and social benefits wheels. For ecological recovery, the system can be used to progressively evaluate and track the degree of native ecosystem recovery over time relative to the reference model or the level of achievement of social objectives. This tool also provides a means to report changes from the baseline condition relative to the reference.

*Note: this system tracks only the recovery outcomes and not the restoration activities used to attain them.

The table below describes the six key ecosystem attributes. Each key attribute has at least three sub-attributes which, together, comprise the Ecological Recovery Wheel and the Five-star Scale. Holistic approaches to restoration will track progress across as many sub-attributes as possible into all phases of the project.

Access a current web version of the The Six Key Ecosystem Attributes Table.

Download a version of the The Six Key Ecosystem Attributes Table.

Six Key Ecosystem Attributes Table. The six key attributes are used to characterize the reference ecosystem, as well as to evaluate baseline condition, set project goals, and monitor degree of recovery at a restoration site. These attributes are suited to monitoring in Principle 5 and the Five-star System discussed in Principle 6. Adapted from Gann et al. 2019; Standards Reference Group SERA 2021; Young et al. 2022.

Required citation: Gann GD, McDonald T, Walder B, Young R, Dixon KW (2024) Updated six key ecosystem attributes table for SER's International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration; adapted from Gann et al. 2019; Standards Reference Group SERA 2021; Young et al. 2022. Society for Ecological Restoration. Washington, D.C. USA. https://www.ser.org/page/Standards-Tools

The Five-star System uses the Six Key Ecosystem Attributes and assesses them on a zero to five star scale. Each individual project will, ideally, be designed to achieve the highest possible star-level that would be appropriate for that project (e.g., some projects might aim for 2-star recovery as the highest achievable level, while others might aim for 5-star recovery). This table provides an overview of what each star level looks like for each key attribute.

Access a current web version of theThe Five-star System Attributes Ratings Table.

Download a current version of the The Five-star System Attributes Ratings Table.

The five-star system sub-attributes table is a finer-scale tool for assessing individual sub-attributes within each of the six key attributes. It also uses a zero to five star system to assess recovery in comparison to a native reference ecosystem. As with the coarser scale, restoration plans will ideally be designed to aim for the highest possible star-level for each individual sub-attribute recognizing the constraints for that site or project (e.g. funding, tenure, policy frameworks). In some sectors or ecosystems, it may be important to calibrate this table by adding sub-attributes to ensure the five-star system can be most effectively applied. Please see below for ecosystem specific calibrations.

Available tables:

Five-star System Sub-attributes Table (universally applicable to any ecosystem)

Access a current web version of the Five-star System Sub-attributes Table (universally applicable to any ecosystem) table

Download a current version of the Five-star System Sub-attributes Table (universally applicable to any ecosystem) table

SER Five-star System Sub-attribute Table Arid Lands V1.1

Access a current web version of the SER Five-star System Sub-attribute Table Arid Lands V1.1

Download a current version of the SER Five-star System Sub-attribute Table Arid Lands V1.1

The Restorative Continuum includes a range of activities and interventions that can improve environmental conditions and reverse ecosystem degradation and landscape fragmentation. The continuum highlights interconnections among these different activities, and recognizes that the specific characteristics of the locality slated for restorative actions dictates the activities best suited for different landscape units. As one moves from left to right on the continuum, both ecological health and biodiversity outcomes, and quality and quantity of ecosystem services increase. Note that ecological restoration can occur in urban, suburban, agricultural, and industrial landscapes.

Download here

Citation: Gann GD, McDonald T, Walder B, Aronson J, Nelson CR, Jonson J, Hallett JG, Eisenberg C, Guariguata MR, Liu J, Hua F, Echeverria C, Gonzales, EK, Shaw N, Decleer K, Dixon KW. 2019. International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Second edition. Restoration Ecology S1-S46. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/rec.13035

A depiction of the eight principles for ecological restoration. Each principle is fully developed in the International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration.

Download here

Citation: Gann GD, McDonald T, Walder B, Aronson J, Nelson CR, Jonson J, Hallett JG, Eisenberg C, Guariguata MR, Liu J, Hua F, Echeverria C, Gonzales, EK, Shaw N, Decleer K, Dixon KW. 2019. International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Second edition. Restoration Ecology S1-S46. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/rec.13035