Combining ecological, social and technical criteria to select species for forest restoration

Combining ecological, social and technical criteria to select species for forest restoration

Background

Species selection in restoration projects will depend on the main goals of the restoration project and on information availability. In human-dominated ecosystems or agricultural landscapes, prioritizing social and technical criteria to select species for restoration is crucial for restoration sustainability. Successful restoration actions need the participation of local stakeholders, and the potential of species to be used in such actions should be evaluated not only on the basis of their ecological traits, but also on criteria that consider both social benefits and technical limitations, such as germination and propagation requirements under nursery conditions. This paper seeks to identify means to evaluate these critical aspects of restoration. 

Conclusions & Takeaways

The authors of this study propose a procedure to target species for forest restoration projects that leans on five criteria related to ecological, social and technical information, which is illustrated by a case study related to restoration of Neotropical riparian forest. The authors identify a preliminary list of tree species that are most suitable for their reintroduction into degraded riparian zones in southeastern Mexico and similar ecological and social settings

Reference: 

Meli P, Martínez-Ramos M, Rey-Benayas JMaría, Carabias J. Combining ecological, social and technical criteria to select species for forest restoration. Ewald J, ed. Applied Vegetation Science. 2014;17:744–753. doi:10.1111/avsc.12096.

Affiliation: 

  • Natura y Ecosistemas Mexicanos