Forest & Natural Ecosystems Network

Latest Articles

Ecosystem Restoration

From Bare Ground to Prairie: Seven American Grassland Recoveries That Are Redefining What Restoration Can Achieve

America's native grasslands rank among the most endangered ecosystems on the continent, yet a new generation of restoration projects is demonstrating that large-scale ecological recovery is scientifically achievable and economically defensible. These seven case studies from across the United States document the methods, the challenges, and the measurable results that are reshaping how scientists, land managers, and policymakers think about grassland conservation.

Jul 11, 2026

Ecological Research

Beneath the Forest Floor: How Fungal Networks Are Rewriting the Rules of Ecosystem Restoration

A quiet revolution is unfolding beneath the soils of North America's forests, driven not by charismatic megafauna or towering trees but by the intricate web of fungal filaments connecting root systems across entire ecosystems. Mycorrhizal research is fundamentally transforming how conservation scientists approach reforestation, carbon accounting, and the restoration of degraded landscapes—and the implications for forest policy are profound.

Jul 11, 2026

Forest Ecology & Policy

Oaks on the Brink: The Science Behind a Forest Crisis and the Policies That Could Turn the Tide

Across the eastern and midwestern United States, oak-dominated forests are experiencing a slow-motion collapse driven by fire suppression, invasive pests, and a rapidly shifting climate. Forest ecologists and land managers are now urging a fundamental rethinking of how America manages its most ecologically and economically significant tree genus—before the window for meaningful intervention closes.

Jul 11, 2026