Conclusions: Lessons for conservation and management

Basic science projects such as the Biodiversity Exploratory project primarily aim at advancing ecological theory. Owners of experimental plots and other stakeholders nevertheless expect that science provides answers to their practical questions, such as what level of biodiversity a forest should have and how management should be adjusted to achieve this level. We highlight some of the conclusions from the project on how management in grasslands and forests can achieve higher levels of biodiversity. We also highlight the challenges to derive lessons for conservation and management in a research project with a large and diverse array of scientists.