Towards an evidence‐based and research‐driven restoration strategy for Britain's temperate rainforests

Societal Impact Statement Woodlands globally are threatened by environmental change and biodiversity loss. Temperate rainforests are an ecologically rich ecosystem found in wet regions of the temperate zone, and Britain has the potential for major temperate rainforest coverage in its nature‐depleted landscape. Current restoration programmes are limited by a lack of information on the past state and distribution of temperate rainforests, which hinders our understanding of their response to climate change. Here, we detail knowledge gaps and key research priorities for effective and resilient temperate rainforest restoration. Summary Temperate rainforests are rare ecosystems of exceptional lower plant diversity. Although Britain contains disproportionately large regions suitable for such habitats along its Atlantic coastline, less than 5% of the potential area is native woodlands. A growing number of organisations now promote a variety of temperate rainforest restoration programmes, although scientific guidance is limited. Here, we present research priorities which will allow us to evaluate the current state of Britain's temperate rainforests through a greater understanding of palaeoecological baselines, growth‐climate relationships (through dendrochronological techniques) and landscape–ecology interactions including the role of traditional woodland management and grazing herbivores. A greater appreciation of long‐term perspectives will enable more evidence‐based restoration strategies, informing stakeholders on how to achieve functional conservation trajectories rather than aesthetic targets. We expect our perspectives to contribute to the restoration of temperate rainforests in Britain and elsewhere, aiming to improve niche biodiversity, ecosystem services and carbon storage on policy‐relevant timescales.