European wetlands are of high ecological value for societies. At the same time, they are increasingly under threat. Their sustainable preservation requires not only sound scientific foundations, but also collaboratively developed visions and strategies. The European Nature Restoration Law provides a new window of opportunity to halt and reverse wetland and biodiversity loss. Its transformative impact and success depend on its effective implementation by the EU Member States. However, implementing restoration measures to bend the curve of biodiversity loss poses major social and political challenges arising from conflicts and trade-offs over land use, which arise from heterogeneous interests, values, and knowledge among relevant actors, as well as inconsistent policies and governance structures.
