The challenging connection between nurseries and restoration processes in Colombia: an overview based on production and species diversity

Abstract Introduction Colombia has committed to restoring over 9 million hectares of degraded land under national and international initiatives. However, progress remains limited, partly due to nursery capacity constraints and challenges to their long‐term viability. Our study aims to assess the distribution, production capacity, and species diversity of nurseries within the Colombian Nursery Network. Methods Using Thiessen polygons, we delineated each nursery's theoretical area of influence to identify spatial gaps and overlaps in the network's geographic coverage. We also developed a Conservation and Diversity Index (CDI), based on species richness and the proportion of native and threatened species, to evaluate their ecological contribution to restoration efforts. Results Our results show significant coverage gaps, indicating a mismatch between restoration needs and nursery locations. The prevalence of low CDI values highlights potential opportunities to enhance the ecological role of nurseries for biodiversity recovery. Although nurseries reported 1161 propagated species, production is concentrated in a few tree species; 63% propagate fewer than 10 species, and only 6.7% are classified as threatened. Capacity limitations are most acute in ecologically valuable biomes such as Tropical dry forests. Nursery ownership is dominated by the private sector (319 nurseries). Conclusion Our findings highlight the need for strategic nursery expansion, greater propagation of under‐represented native and threatened species, and stronger seed supply systems.