PARTNERS: Bridging the natural and social sciences to understand drivers and outcomes of reforestation in the tropics
In 2014 a group of the world’s top researchers began a 6-year journey to generate ideas, knowledge and collaborations to understand the socioecological drivers of tropical reforestation. Nearly 200 people participated in 12 workshops generating 60+ publications linking across disciplines and continents; from seeds and soils to global forums. Here is what they found.
Tropical reforestation should complement and enhance local livelihoods, needs, and cultures
Local decision-making is essential for effective and long-lasting tropical reforestation
Attention to local context and propagule sources when choosing tree species is essential to produce effective ecological and social outcomes
Natural regeneration is a cost-effective approach to recover biodiversity, ecosystem services, and biocultural values in many contexts
New forms of tree cover are arising in diverse socio-ecological contexts, which matters for people, biodiversity, and ecosystem services
Beyond carbon: Interactions between tropical reforestation and climate change encompass multiple socio-ecological dimensions
Effective and long-lasting tropical reforestation requires holistic vision and innovations that incorporate social and ecological systems
Guiding principles are needed to avoid negative consequences and reach the scale and potential of forest and landscape restoration