| Abstract | | The threats of climate change have put a spotlight on the goals and strategies of ecological restoration. Theory and practice must consider alternative restoration goals in light of high levels of uncertainty associated with rapidly changing environmental conditions and the likelihood of emerging novel ecosystems. As a basic starting point, we recommend that restoration ecologists consider both historical conditions and projected changes when developing goals and measureable objectives. Restoring historic conditions is frequently not possible or even desirable. Given the likelihood for novel ecosystems, restorationists should consider ecosystem function, structure, and services as targets. Riparian systems possess great opportunity and many challenges with respect to restoration in a changing climate. Historically, riparian ecosystems covered vast areas of California, but have suffered severe degradation over the last century. In the future, climate models project increases in air and water temperatures and changes in the magnitude and temporal patterns of run-off events. Given these projections, what will riparian restoration provide? Riparian ecosystems are naturally resilient, provide linear habitat connectivity, link aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and create thermal refugia for wildlife: all characteristics that can contribute to ecological adaptation to climate change. On-the-ground examples of how to do riparian restoration in a climate change context include planning for more extreme environmental variability, increasing genetic diversity in horticultural restoration decisions, expanding connectivity, and emphasizing the restoration of private lands.
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