The Science Task Force will provide an authoritative reference point for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030. The Task Force will provide the scientific backstop for the UN Decade’s Advisory Board and Strategy Group, including through supporting or peer-reviewing the work of other Task Forces (on Best Practice, Finance, Monitoring, and Youth). It will tackle restoration-related issues that are key to unlocking large implementation potential (e.g. how to assess/materialize the benefits of ecosystem restoration) or are potentially controversial (e.g. the role of plantations). While maintaining its scientific independence, the Science Task Force will work closely within the UN Decade’s governance structure, provide inputs to the work of other Task Forces, and select topics to cover in coordination with IUCN, the Strategy Group, Advisory Board, and with the other Task Forces of the UN Decade.