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Ecological restoration efforts can increase the diversity and function of degraded areas. However, current restoration practices cannot typically reestablish the full diversity and species composition of remnant plant communities. We present evidence that restoration quality can be improved by reintroducing key organisms from the native plant microbiome. In particular, root symbionts called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are crucial in shaping grassland communities, but are sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance, which may pose a problem for grassland restoration. In the present article, we highlight the conceptual motivation and empirical evidence evaluating native mycorrhizal fungi, as opposed to commercial fungi. Reintroduction of the native microbiome and native mycorrhizal fungi improves plant diversity, accelerates succession, and increases the establishment of plants that are often missing from restored communities. The example of mycorrhizal fungi serves to illustrate the value of a more holistic view of plant communities and restoration that embraces the intricacies and dynamics of native microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methods employed in a restoration can impact the resulting plant community. This study investigated the effect of restoration method on several indices of plant community structure by comparing two restoration methods conducted over an 8-year period to a naturally colonized postagricultural field and a remnant grassland. The restoration methods included (1) distributing seed over fallow fields and (2) planting established seedlings in combination with seeding a fallow field. We found greater plant community resemblance (i.e., floristic quality, native species richness, and native diversity) to remnant grasslands with the introduction of seedlings during the first 4 years of restoration. There was also a negative correlation between the native plant diversity and the density of exotic plants in the restoration. This relationship suggests that introducing native plants in postagricultural fields may represent an effective management strategy to reduce exotic plant density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]