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” Plantations and restored forests can improve ecosystem services and
enhance biodiversity conservation, but will not match the composition and structure of the
original forest cover. ”
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Science 13 June 2008:
Vol. 320. no. 5882, pp. 1458 – 1460
Beyond Deforestation: Restoring Forests and
Ecosystem Services on Degraded Lands
Robin L. Chazdon
Abstract of article :
Despite continued forest conversion and degradation, forest cover is
increasing in countries across the globe. New forests are
regenerating on former agricultural land, and forest plantations are
being established for commercial and restoration purposes.
Plantations and restored forests can improve ecosystem services and
enhance biodiversity conservation, but will not match the composition
and structure of the original forest cover. Approaches to restoring
forest ecosystems depend strongly on levels of forest and soil
degradation, residual vegetation, and desired restoration outcomes.
Opportunities abound to combine ambitious forest restoration and
regeneration goals with sustainable rural livelihoods and community
participation. New forests will require adaptive management as
dynamic, resilient systems that can withstand stresses of climate
change, habitat fragmentation, and other anthropogenic effects.
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of
Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3043, USA. E-mail: chazdon@uconn.edu
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