Restoration Strategies

The planning a forest restoration project can be a lengthy and complex process, involving many stakeholders, who often have contradictory opinions about where, when and how to implement the project. If starting from scratch, these preparations may take 1–2 years, so it is important to begin the planning process well in advance.

Defining the objectives

A survey of an example of the target forest ecosystem is an important part of setting a project’s objectives using topographic maps, Google Earth or by visiting viewpoints. The reference site(s) should:
• have the same climax forest type as that to be restored;
• be one of the least-disturbed forest remnants in the vicinity;
• be located as close as possible to the restoration site(s);
• have similar conditions (e.g. elevation, slope, aspect etc.) as those of the proposed restoration site(s);
• be accessible for survey and/or seed collection etc.

Invite all stakeholders to join in a survey of the reference site(s) and use the opportunity to discuss with stakeholders: the history of the forest remnant and why it has survived, any uses of the tree species recorded, the value of the forest for non-timber products, watershed protection etc., wildlife they have seen in the area.

Fitting forests into landscapes

Consideration of the whole landscape in restoration planning has now been formalised within the framework of forest landscape restoration (FLR) is “a planned process, which aims to regain ecological integrity and enhance human well-being in deforested or degraded landscapes. It provides procedures whereby site-level restoration decisions conform to landscape-level objectives. The goal of FLR is a compromise between meeting the needs of humans and wildlife, by restoring a range of forest functions at the landscape level.

Choosing sites for restoration

Forest restoration can be relatively costly in the short term (although it is more cost effective than allowing degradation to be continued), so it makes sense to implement it first where it will generate maximum ecological benefits, such as protecting watercourses, preventing soil erosion and reversing fragmentation.

Performing a Rapid Site Assessment

A rapid site assessment (RSA) determines the existing potential for natural forest regeneration and identifies limiting factors that preventing natural forest regeneration. It is a vital step in restoration planning. It helps with deciding on an overall restoration strategy and, if tree planting is needed, it can be used to calculate the number of trees and species to plant. Click on the image below to find out how to perform on.

Drafting a project plan

Once all of the stakeholders have contributed to the pre-planning activities, it is time for formal meetings to draft the project plan included:

• the aim and objectives of the project;
• a clear statement of the expected benefits from the project and an agreement as to how these benefits will be shared amongst all stakeholders;
• a description of the site to be restored;
• the methods that will be used to restore forest to the site, including provisions for monitoring (and research);
• a task schedule, detailing who will be responsible for each task and calculation of the labour required to complete each task;
• a budget.

Fundraising

Funding for forest restoration projects can come from many different sources, including governments, NGOs and the private sector, both local and international. A vigorous fundraising campaign should target several potential funding sources.