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Research article2011Peer reviewedOpen access

Approaches to classifying and restoring degraded tropical forests for the anticipated REDD plus climate change mitigation mechanism

Sasaki, Nophea; Asner, Gregory P.; Knorr, Wolfgang; Durst, Patrick B.; Priyadi Rusantoyo, Hari; Putz, Francis E.

Abstract

Inclusion of improved forest management as a way to enhance carbon sinks in the Copenhagen Accord of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (December 2009) suggests that forest restoration will play a role in global climate change mitigation under the post-Kyoto agreement. Although discussions about restoration strategies often pertain solely to severely degraded tropical forests and invoke only the enrichment planting option, different approaches to restoration are needed to counter the full range of degrees of degradation. We propose approaches for restoration of forests that range from being slightly to severely degraded. Our methods start with ceasing the causes of degradation and letting forests regenerate on their own, progress through active management of natural regeneration in degraded areas to accelerate tree regeneration and growth, and finally include the stage of degradation at which re-planting is necessary. We argue that when the appropriate techniques are employed, forest restoration is cost-effective relative to conventional planting, provides abundant social and ecological co-benefits, and results in the sequestration of substantial amounts of carbon. For forest restoration efforts to succeed, a supportive post-Kyoto agreement is needed as well as appropriate national policies, institutional arrangements, and local participation.

Keywords

Assisted natural regeneration; Biodiversity; Climate change agreement; Forest restoration; REDD-plus; Reduced-impact logging; Silviculture

Published in

Iforest
2011, Volume: 4, pages: 1-6
Publisher: SISEF-SOC ITALIANA SELVICOLTURA ECOL FORESTALE

    Sustainable Development Goals

    Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
    Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Forest Science

    Publication identifier

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor0556-004

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/46732