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Many raised bogs in Central Europe are in an unfavorable state: drainage causes high emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O), while rewetting may result in high methane (CH4) emissions. Also, the establishment of typical bog species is often hampered during restoration. Measures like topsoil removal (TSR) or introduction of target vegetation are known to improve restoration success in other systems, but experiences on bogs after long‐term agricultural use are scarce and their climate effects including carbon losses from TSR are unknown. In a field trial in north‐western Germany, consisting of seven plots (intensive grassland, IG, and six restoration approaches), we explored the effects of rewetting, TSR and Sphagnum introduction on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We measured GHG fluxes to obtain two‐year GHG budgets and applied a radiative forcing model to assess the time‐dependent climate effects. Existing uncertainty of decomposition processes in the translocated topsoil has been incorporated by different topsoil accounting scenarios. According to our data, rewetting alone reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 75% compared to IG, but substantially increased CH4 emissions. After TSR and rewetting, on‐site CO2 emissions were close to zero or, with Sphagnum introduction, net negative while CH4 emissions remained very low. The climatic warming effect of TSR including C export becomes less climate warming than rewetting nutrient‐rich peatlands after a few decades. For raised bog restoration, we therefore recommend a TSR sufficient to achieve nutrient‐poor and acidic conditions needed for rapid Sphagnum establishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While phenology data (the timing of recurring biological events) has been used to explain and predict patterns related to global change, and to address applied environmental issues, it has not been clearly identified as pertinent for restoration. This opinion article thus aims to raise awareness of the potential of phenology to enhance the quality of restoration projects and ecological restoration theory. We based our analysis on a systematic literature survey carried out in February 2014, searching the words 'phenology' or 'phenological' in books dealing with restoration, the term 'phenolog*' in the journal Restoration Ecology, and the terms 'restoration' and 'phenolog*' in the database Web of Science until February 2014. We finally selected 149 studies relevant to our goals, and first classified them according to the context in which phenology was addressed. We then analyzed them within the framework of the five key steps of restoration projects: (1) the reference ecosystem; (2) biotic resources; (3) restoration methods; (4) monitoring; and (5) adaptive management. The literature survey showed that phenological information improved decision-making in the few restoration projects in which it was incorporated. We thus advocate taking phenological data into account at all stages of restoration when appropriate: from the acquisition of baseline data on the reference ecosystem to treatment design, and from restoration action planning and timing to monitoring. Phenological data should at minimum be collected for sown, keystone, dominant, and/or rare species to improve restoration quality. Phenology studies and monitoring should be promoted in future restoration guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]