LAUSR

Significance A major challenge to global plant restoration is that numerous factors, including land management practices and climate variability, affect plant populations through multiple demographic processes, including establishment and persistence. Few studies have resolved these complexities. Our multiyear, multisite experiment reveals several factors structuring recovery of 24 understory plant species in longleaf pine savannas where past agricultural use has reduced plant diversity. Addition of seeds, cool and wet climatic conditions, low tree density, and reduced litter depth promoted establishment. Once established, most species persisted for the duration of the 8-y study. Our long-term study illustrates the contribution of temporal variation in climate and land management. Our demographic-based approach informs restoration of entire communities, maximizing potential for restoration on former agricultural lands.