Experimental restoration of oak forest vegetation

European oak forests have experienced significant transformations over the past centuries, largely attributed to anthropogenic environmental changes like global climate shifts, increased nitrogen deposition, and the abandonment of historical management such as litter raking or grazing. These alterations have resulted in observed shifts in species composition and diversity, characterized by thermophilization, mesophication, and biotic homogenization. However, understanding the ecological mechanisms driving these recent changes is challenging due to the synergistic impacts of various factors. The question we aim to answer is whether it is possible to restore the species composition and diversity of oak forests through the simulation of historical management during anthropogenic environmental changes.