Fifteen essential science advances needed for effective restoration of the world's forest landscapes

Andrew R. Marshall; Catherine E. Waite; Marion Pfeifer; Lindsay F. Banin; Sarobidy Rakotonarivo; Susan Chomba; John Herbohn; Donald A. Gilmour; Mark Brown; Robin L. Chazdon

doi:10.1098/rstb.2021.0065

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Fifteen essential science advances needed for effective restoration of the world's forest landscapes

Editorial

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Fifteen essential science advances needed for effective restoration of the world's forest landscapes

Andrew R. Marshall, Catherine E. Waite, Marion Pfeifer, Lindsay F. Banin, Sarobidy Rakotonarivo, Susan Chomba, John Herbohn, Donald A. Gilmour, Mark Brown and Robin L. Chazdon

Royal Society of London. Philosophical Transactions B. Biological Sciences, Vol.378(1867), pp.1-15

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0065

PMCID: PMC9661955

PMID: 36373922

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Abstract

Forest

Forest Landscape Restoration

Introduction

Restoration

Socio-Ecological Systems

Strategic Planning

United Nations

There has never been a more pressing and opportune time for science and practice to collaborate towards restoration of the world's forests. Multiple uncertainties remain for achieving successful, long-term forest landscape restoration (FLR). In this article, we use expert knowledge and literature review to identify knowledge gaps that need closing to advance restoration practice, as an introduction to a landmark theme issue on FLR and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Aligned with an Adaptive Management Cycle for FLR, we identify 15 essential science advances required to facilitate FLR success for nature and people. They highlight that the greatest science challenges lie in the conceptualization, planning and assessment stages of restoration, which require an evidence base for why, where and how to restore, at realistic scales. FLR and underlying sciences are complex, requiring spatially explicit approaches across disciplines and sectors, considering multiple objectives, drivers and trade-offs critical for decision-making and financing. The developing tropics are a priority region, where scientists must work with stakeholders across the Adaptive Management Cycle. Clearly communicated scientific evidence for action at the outset of restoration planning will enable donors, decision makers and implementers to develop informed objectives, realistic targets and processes for accountability. This article paves the way for 19 further articles in this theme issue, with author contributions from across the world. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Understanding forest landscape restoration: reinforcing scientific foundations for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’.

Details

Title: Fifteen essential science advances needed for effective restoration of the world's forest landscapes
Authors: Andrew R. Marshall (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
Catherine E. Waite (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
Marion Pfeifer (Author) - Newcastle University
Lindsay F. Banin (Author) - Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Sarobidy Rakotonarivo (Author) - University of Antananarivo
Susan Chomba (Author) - World Resources Institute
John Herbohn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
Donald A. Gilmour (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
Mark Brown (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
Robin L. Chazdon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
Publication details: Royal Society of London. Philosophical Transactions B. Biological Sciences, Vol.378(1867), pp.1-15
Publisher: The Royal Society Publishing
Date published: 2023
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0065
ISSN: 1471-2970
PMID: 36373922; PMC9661955
Copyright note: © 2022 The Authors. Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, provided the original author and source are credited.
Grants: Understanding the importance of lianas for forest health and management, FT170100279, Australian Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - ARC
Organisation Unit: Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Industries Research Centre; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99690998402621
Output Type: Editorial

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