The Evolution of Forest Restoration in Europe: A Synthesis for a Step Forward Based on National Expert Knowledge
Purpose of reviewWe are amid a historical momentum encouraging forest restoration, yet the translation of ambitious targets into reality is hindered by poor documentation and understanding of the success and failure of past restoration efforts. This review aims to evaluate the ecological, social, political and economic characteristics of forest restoration across Europe, their development over time and key lessons learned to guide future restoration initiatives. The analysis is based on the synthesis of expert assessments from 18 European countries.Recent findingsEarly restoration initiatives in central and southern Europe were largely reactive to natural disasters or timber shortages, and while effective in erosion control and timber production, their ecological benefits were often limited due to monoculture plantations and short-rotation systems. Geopolitical crises intensified timber production, with nationalized and centrally managed forests in several countries, but often at the cost of biodiversity. Since the 1990s, a shift toward multifunctionality has emerged driven by the convergence of environmental, social, political and economic events.SummaryForest restoration in Europe has transitioned from disaster reduction and production-driven efforts to a more multifunctional approach that promotes biodiversity. Changes have been driven by a combination of environmental (e.g., catastrophic consequences following natural disasters), political (e.g., wars, forest nationalization and management centralization), legal (e.g., strict and ambitious national and international policies), social (e.g., rural abandonment and changes in societal values) and economic (e.g., new funding mechanisms or market fluctuations) events. Despite the development, conflicting goals, insufficient funding, climate change and short-term thinking persist as key barriers.
Details
| Volume | 11 |
|---|---|
| Magazine issue | 1 |
| Type | A1: Web of Science-article |
| Category | Research |
| Magazine | CURRENT FORESTRY REPORTS |
| Issns | 2198-6436 |
| Language | English |
Bibtex
@misc{6b3e65bf-7c59-4892-ab80-0628d8ed5286,
title = "The Evolution of Forest Restoration in Europe: A Synthesis for a Step Forward Based on National Expert Knowledge",
abstract = "Purpose of reviewWe are amid a historical momentum encouraging forest restoration, yet the translation of ambitious targets into reality is hindered by poor documentation and understanding of the success and failure of past restoration efforts. This review aims to evaluate the ecological, social, political and economic characteristics of forest restoration across Europe, their development over time and key lessons learned to guide future restoration initiatives. The analysis is based on the synthesis of expert assessments from 18 European countries.Recent findingsEarly restoration initiatives in central and southern Europe were largely reactive to natural disasters or timber shortages, and while effective in erosion control and timber production, their ecological benefits were often limited due to monoculture plantations and short-rotation systems. Geopolitical crises intensified timber production, with nationalized and centrally managed forests in several countries, but often at the cost of biodiversity. Since the 1990s, a shift toward multifunctionality has emerged driven by the convergence of environmental, social, political and economic events.SummaryForest restoration in Europe has transitioned from disaster reduction and production-driven efforts to a more multifunctional approach that promotes biodiversity. Changes have been driven by a combination of environmental (e.g., catastrophic consequences following natural disasters), political (e.g., wars, forest nationalization and management centralization), legal (e.g., strict and ambitious national and international policies), social (e.g., rural abandonment and changes in societal values) and economic (e.g., new funding mechanisms or market fluctuations) events. Despite the development, conflicting goals, insufficient funding, climate change and short-term thinking persist as key barriers.",
author = "M Erdozain and I Alberdi and Réka Aszalós and K Bollmann and V Detsis and Jurij Diaci and M Dodan and G Efthimiou and L Gálhidy and M Haase and J Hoffmann and D Jaymond and E Johann and Hans-Henrick Jorgensen and Frank Krumm and T Kuuluvainen and thibault Lachat and Katharina Lapin and Marcus Lindner and Palle Madsen and L Nichiforel and Maciej Pach and Y Paillet and C Palaghianu and J Palau and J Pemán and S Peric and S Raum and Silvio Schueler and J Skrzyszewski and J. Svensson and S Teeuwen and Giorgio Vacchiano and Kris Vandekerkhove and I Cañellas and M Menendez-Miguélez and LLK Werden and Anna Avila and J San Miguel",
year = "2024",
month = dec,
day = "18",
doi = "https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-024-00235-3",
language = "English",
publisher = "Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek",
address = "Belgium,
type = "Other"
}
Authors
M ErdozainI Alberdi
Réka Aszalós
K Bollmann
V Detsis
Jurij Diaci
M Dodan
G Efthimiou
L Gálhidy
M Haase
J Hoffmann
D Jaymond
E Johann
Hans-Henrick Jorgensen
Frank Krumm
T Kuuluvainen
thibault Lachat
Katharina Lapin
Marcus Lindner
Palle Madsen
L Nichiforel
Maciej Pach
Y Paillet
C Palaghianu
J Palau
J Pemán
S Peric
S Raum
Silvio Schueler
J Skrzyszewski
J. Svensson
S Teeuwen
Giorgio Vacchiano
Kris Vandekerkhove
I Cañellas
M Menendez-Miguélez
LLK Werden
Anna Avila
J San Miguel