Assisted natural regeneration for tropical forest and landscape restoration in the Philippines: Implementation, motivations, challenges and future directions

Tomiwa Victor Oluwajuwon; Robin Chazdon; Nestor Gregorio; Liz Ota; Rogelio Tripoli; Arturo E Pasa; John Herbohn

doi:10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100896

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Assisted natural regeneration for tropical forest and landscape restoration in the Philippines: Implementation, motivations, challenges and future directions

Journal article

Open access

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Assisted natural regeneration for tropical forest and landscape restoration in the Philippines: Implementation, motivations, challenges and future directions

Tomiwa Victor Oluwajuwon, Robin Chazdon, Nestor Gregorio, Liz Ota, Rogelio Tripoli, Arturo E Pasa and John Herbohn

Trees, Forests and People, Vol.20, pp.1-17

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100896

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Abstract

Forest ecosystems

Forestry management and environment

FLR

Restoration

Natural regeneration

Livelihood

Policy

Motivation

Challenge

Philippines

deforestation

Forest degradation and deforestation in the rural uplands of the Philippines threaten biodiversity, ecological functions, and local livelihoods. To address these issues, various Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) initiatives have been introduced, including Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR)—a set of low-cost interventions aimed at accelerating natural recovery and enhancing ecological functionality in degraded forest landscapes. However, implementation of ANR remains limited and largely unsustained in FLR projects, undermining its potential impact. Using case studies and a mixed-method qualitative survey approach, we examined ANR implementation across socio-ecological and policy dimensions in the Philippines by interviewing 22 key informants and conducting 5 focus group discussions with multiple stakeholder groups involved in ANR projects across three regions. Seven categories of key drivers influencing stakeholders to adopt ANR were identified, with socioeconomic incentives, particularly income and livelihood opportunities from project participation, being the strongest. These were followed by environmental motivations, including biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, climate change mitigation, and disaster risk reduction. Top-down institutional mandates and intrinsic values related to biodiversity conservation also play a crucial role. Despite its benefits, sustained ANR implementation faces numerous challenges, which we categorized into eight major themes. The most critical obstacles include short-term and insufficient funding, limited livelihood integration, and environmental threats like forest fires and local community pressures. Moreover, weak policy support, governance gaps, lack of sustainable protection and monitoring plans, and rugged terrain substantially hinder ANR's long-term viability. Restrictions on native tree use further constrain opportunities for integrating natural regeneration into FLR strategies. To enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of ANR in FLR initiatives, we recommend extending project timeframes, securing long-term funding, improving site protection and maintenance, integrating sustainable livelihood programs, strengthening policy support and alignment, and promoting evidence-based advocacy. Governments, restoration agencies, and NGOs must foster long-term financing mechanisms and ensure sustained local benefits to scale up ANR’s role in FLR efforts.

Details

Title: Assisted natural regeneration for tropical forest and landscape restoration in the Philippines: Implementation, motivations, challenges and future directions
Authors: Tomiwa Victor Oluwajuwon (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre
Robin Chazdon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre
Nestor Gregorio (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre
Liz Ota (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre
Rogelio Tripoli (Contributor) - Visayas State University
Arturo E Pasa (Contributor) - Visayas State University
John Herbohn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre
Publication details: Trees, Forests and People, Vol.20, pp.1-17
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100896
ISSN: 2666-7193
Data Availability: Most of the data used in this study is already provided in the supplementary materials. The raw survey data will be made available from the corresponding author on request.
Grants: Project Tarsier, 0980027198, Shell Pilipinas Corporation
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991130305302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Forestry

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