Ambiguity in monitoring the success of ecological restoration in Colombia:A systematic review, needs and perspectives

Ecological restoration in Colombia has been increasingly used to reverse the degradation and loss of natural ecosystems. However, evaluating its success presents methodological gaps due to the lack of standardized monitoring guidelines. In this context, a literature review of 147 scientific articles published in the last 32 years was conducted. This review categorized and analyzed the attributes (composition, structure, function, and socioecological aspects), indicators, and methodological trends employed. It also analyzed scientific output, research types, and the ecosystems and natural regions studied. This analysis was conducted to identify knowledge gaps. An accelerated growth trend in scientific production was evident. Research was markedly centralized territorially, concentrated in the Andean region (70.06%) and the Andean forest ecosystem (53.74%). Passive restoration predominated (28.57%). Success assessments used a partially multidimensional approach: 51.7% evaluated two attributes simultaneously (mainly composition-structure), prioritizing easily measurable vegetation indicators such as species richness (30.80%) and abundance. However, holistic integration of all four attributes was marginal (2.72%). Monitoring is predominantly descriptive and short-term, underrepresenting biotic interactions, soil water processes, and governance. The focus on early structural metrics limits the ability to assess restoration success by not capturing evidence of functional or socioecological recovery. It is imperative to move toward a standardized, longitudinal, and participatory national assessment framework to guide public policies and environmental compensation in the country.