Forest Landscape Restoration: Progress in the Last Decade and Remaining Challenges

Background

Defined in 2000, forest landscape restoration (FLR) has recently been actively promoted as a means to provide both ecolocial and societal benefits. This article aims to reflect on the evolution of FLR since 2000, using a framework of 13 key issues put forth in 2005. It identifies both progress and challenges and provides suggestions for steps forward. 

Conclusions & Takeaways

The article states that FLR has made key progress in certain areas, including awareness amongst policy-makers, integration into international programs and multi-lateral environmental agreements, and increased funding. Yet there also have been challenges in five priority areas. These include: 1) implementing FLR at scale and in an interdisciplinary fashion; 2) improving governance; 3) ensuring an increase in both forest cover and forest quality; 4) promoting the role of restoration in climate change responses; and 5) improving methodologies for measuring long term impacts and their application. The authors conclude, arguing that incorporating local practices and engaging local stakeholders is essential for the longterm success of FLR. They stress that it typically takes decades of experience to fully develop a concept and thus hope this review provides help in prioritizing future restoration efforts.