Dataset: Database of published habitat restoration studies from 1995, 2005, and 2015

We systematically searched 27 international general science, conservation, and restoration-specific journals for published studies in 3 representative years (1995, 2005, 2015). Once studies were identified (N=559), we examined each individually to determine whether it was an empirical restoration (i.e., including a specific restoration action for which data were collected) or not. For empirical restorations, we identified the ecosystem, the habitat within the ecosystem, if the restoration project involved the active planting or translocation of target species, and how many, and whether the restoration included a biodiversity component (i.e., consideration of taxonomic richness, diversity, or composition). Finally, for those studies including a biodiversity component, we examined the stage of restoration incorporating biodiversity (design/implementation or monitoring/response), and the level of biodiversity (genetic, species, functional, or trophic).