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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2023

The road to recovery: a synthesis of outcomes from ecosystem restoration in tropical and sub-tropical Asian forests

Banin, Lindsay F.; Raine, Elizabeth H.; Rowland, Lucy M.; Chazdon, Robin L.; Smith, Stuart W.; Rahman, Nur Estya Binte; Butler, Adam; Philipson, Christopher; Applegate, Grahame G.; Axelsson, E. Petter; Budiharta, Sugeng; Chua, Siew Chin; Cutler, Mark E. J.; Elliott, Stephen; Gemita, Elva; Godoong, Elia; Graham, Laura L. B.; Hayward, Robin M.; Hector, Andy; Ilstedt, Ulrik;
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Abstract

Current policy is driving renewed impetus to restore forests to return ecological function, protect species, sequester carbon and secure livelihoods. Here we assess the contribution of tree planting to ecosystem restoration in tropical and sub-tropical Asia; we synthesize evidence on mortality and growth of planted trees at 176 sites and assess structural and biodiversity recovery of co-located actively restored and naturally regenerating forest plots. Mean mortality of planted trees was 18% 1 year after planting, increasing to 44% after 5 years. Mortality varied strongly by site and was typically ca 20% higher in open areas than degraded forest, with height at planting positively affecting survival. Size-standardized growth rates were negatively related to species-level wood density in degraded forest and plantations enrichment settings. Based on community-level data from 11 landscapes, active restoration resulted in faster accumulation of tree basal area and structural properties were closer to old-growth reference sites, relative to natural regeneration, but tree species richness did not differ. High variability in outcomes across sites indicates that planting for restoration is potentially rewarding but risky and context-dependent. Restoration projects must prepare for and manage commonly occurring challenges and align with efforts to protect and reconnect remaining forest areas.The abstract of this article is available in Bahasa Indonesia in the electronic supplementary material.This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding forest landscape restoration: reinforcing scientific foundations for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration'.

Keywords

carbon; biodiversity; degradation; regeneration; tree planting; nature-based solutions

Published in

Philosophical Transactions B: Biological Sciences
2023, volume: 378, number: 1867, article number: 20210090
Publisher: ROYAL SOC

Authors' information

Banin, Lindsay F.
UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH)
Raine, Elizabeth H.
UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH)
Rowland, Lucy M.
University of Exeter
Chazdon, Robin L.
University of the Sunshine Coast
Smith, Stuart W.
University of Brighton
Smith, Stuart W.
Nanyang Technological University and National Institute of Education (NIE) Singapore
Rahman, Nur Estya Binte
Nanyang Technological University and National Institute of Education (NIE) Singapore
Butler, Adam
University of Edinburgh
Philipson, Christopher
Permian Global
Applegate, Grahame G.
University of the Sunshine Coast
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies
Budiharta, Sugeng
National Research and Innovation Agency
Chua, Siew Chin
National University of Singapore
Cutler, Mark E. J.
University of Dundee
Elliott, Stephen
Chiang Mai University
Godoong, Elia
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Graham, Laura L. B.
University of the Sunshine Coast
Hayward, Robin M.
University of Stirling
Hector, Andy
University of Oxford
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Ecology and Management
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Sustainable Development Goals

SDG15 Life on land

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology
Forest Science

Publication Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0090

URI (permanent link to this page)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/120362