Policy Actors

Forest restoration aims to improve the condition of a degraded ecosystem by increasing its capacity to provide ecosystem goods and services. Given the wide range of possible interventions, it requires a clear definition of objectives and approaches, as well as a commitment to adaptive management.

Restoration Objectives

Well-defined objectives represent the foundation of any restoration project. They should be developed jointly among stakeholders, including landowners, community representatives, resource managers, scientists, and policymakers. Early collaboration ensures that restoration targets reflect shared expectations, local needs, and social, ecological, and economic considerations.

An important step is the definition of a reference ecosystem. The reference represents the desired state of the ecosystem, including its structure, composition, and functions, as well as the associated ecosystem services or products. It does NOT imply recreating historical conditions exactly, but rather guiding what the restored ecosystem should look like and how it should perform. Suitable reference systems are often not easily identified in nature or in the literature. To describe the reference system, data from multiple sources can be used or integrated: 

• Historical data, such as previous vegetation surveys, information on past land use, or other non-technical or non-scientific records (e.g., art, literature, photography).
• Existing, non-disturbed ecosystems in the surrounding area.
• Projections based on future climate scenarios, helping ensure that long-term restoration targets remain resilient under changing environmental conditions. 
• Information on societal and stakeholder expectations regarding ecosystem services.

Especially when the references are dynamic and evidence is limited, it is recommended to use a combination of different ecosystems or sources of evidence, as this can be more reliable or representative than a single example. Together, these elements provide a scientifically grounded yet flexible framework for defining restoration objectives that are ecologically feasible and socially relevant. 

Restoration Approaches 

There are often multiple potential pathways to achieving restoration objectives. The choice of an approach depends mainly on the restoration goals, the availability of resources, and the current condition of the ecosystem. One major distinction lies between passive and active restoration. Passive restoration focuses on removing or reducing stressors that prevent natural succession (e.g.  grazing, logging, or fires). This approach is suitable when natural recovery potential remains high, and there is sufficient natural regeneration or the desired species.

Active restoration, in contrast, involves deliberate actions to modify ecosystem structure and composition, such as artificial regeneration (i.e. seeding or planting), soil preparation, hydrological interventions, or invasive species control. It becomes necessary when natural regeneration is insufficient or when the ecosystem has crossed biotic or abiotic thresholds that require human assistance to recover.

In the design of a management plan and specific restoration practices to apply, experience should be drawn from multiple related disciplines including silviculture, ecology, genetics, social sciences, and economics. This interdisciplinary basis ensures that interventions are ecologically appropriate, economically viable, and socially acceptable. 

Adaptive Management

Restoration is not a one-time action but a dynamic and iterative process. Continuous monitoring plays a central role in determining whether interventions are steering the ecosystem toward its intended target. Monitoring can reveal unexpected challenges requiring an intervention or change in the restoration approach. Examples of this could be the colonization by invasive species, high mortality or undesirable growth patterns of the target tree species, or lack of biodiversity recovery. Appropriate indicators should thus be developed to identify when corrective measures or adjustments are needed.

Adaptive management also accounts for changing expectations or priorities. Stakeholders may revise their preferences regarding ecosystem services or economic outputs. For example, the declining economic value or ecological suitability of a target species may require a shift in species selection. Furthermore, environmental and logistical conditions can change over time, making original targets or methods no longer adequate. For instance, drier conditions than originally expected, occurrence of extreme climate events, or limited availability of planting material may require adjusting targets or altering restoration methods. Adaptive management provides the flexibility to respond proactively to such challenges, helping ensure long-term success and resilience of restoration efforts.

Please refer to our guideline Restoration Practices Knowledge Base for more information on different restoration approaches and supporting literature.