Restoration planning faces major challenges, including the inherent complexity of socio-ecological systems, the limited availability of financial resources, slow recovery rates of some ecological processes, and uncertainty of the performance of interventions.

WaterLANDS has developed a publicly available decision support system, specifically tailored to help overcome these challenges and support the creation of transparent and robust restoration plans.

The web-based platform guides users through a seven-step structured decision-making framework, which emphasises collaborative planning, iterative learning and continuous refinement through co-design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation cycles. Using multi-criteria analysis, the tool aids users decision-making, helping to identify trade-offs before guiding the selection of monitoring indicators. It provides users with targeted guidance and access to a curated library of 421 science-based decision support tools and methods that support the planning and implementation process.

If you are a restoration practitioner, site manager, or planner, then this tool can help you to facilitate collaborative planning and the development of robust restoration plans, consider alternatives, incorporate diverse perspectives, and strengthen trust amongst stakeholders.

DSS-AWERE was developed by CSIC, with contributions from the WaterLANDS Knowledge Sites and Action Sites in the co-design and refinement process.

Access the tool and user guidance, or watch our explanatory video below.