Identifying gaps of applied research to restore terrestrial ecosystems in Colombia

Abstract

Important challenges faced in terrestrial ecosystems in Colombia might be partially overcome through research. For this reason, we made a bibliometric analysis with articles to identify addressed topics as well as gaps using a framework published in 2017. This framework is presented as a research agenda based in ecology whose development has a direct application on restoration practice. We found 167 cases coming from 143 articles; the majority addressed topics related to planning (35 %) and monitoring of interventions (25 %). Few were related to implementation: sourcing propagules (12 %), seedling establishment (13 %) and performance of planted seedlings (15 %). We also identified a geographic bias since 93 % of studies were made in the Andean and the Caribbean regions which are less than half of the national territory. These results and their analyses are presented as preliminary research agenda in restoration involving interests of different stakeholders.