FOR-RESTOR

A network for evidence-based FORest RESTORation

Our mission

Regenerating degraded or cleared tropical forest areas is a key approach for mitigating climate change and restoring essential ecosystem services, including regional water cycling and biodiversity conservation. Forest recovery and restoration can also enhance local livelihoods and address sustainable development goals if done in collaboration with local communities and stakeholders.

FOR-RESTOR is a collaborative network with the goal of developing, exchanging and disseminating evidence and information on forest restoration and recovery. Our work focuses on tropical and sub-tropical Asia, where we aim to support best practice and policy through engagement with a broad range of stakeholders.

Our objectives

Improve our understanding of restoration outcomes and the underlying ecological and socio-ecological processes
Facilitate knowledge exchange and knowledge co-production amongst scientists and practitioners across international and institutional boundaries to support the development of evidence-based best practice for forest restoration
Communicate knowledge with a range of stakeholders to support in-country forest landscape restoration planning processes

To keep up to date with our activities, follow us @for_restor.

The FOR-RESTOR team analysed tree survival and growth data from 176 restoration sites in tropical and sub-tropical Asia, where natural forests have suffered degradation. They found that, on average, 18% of planted saplings died within the first year, rising to 44% after five years. However, survival rates varied greatly amongst sites and species, with some sites seeing over 80% of trees still alive after five years.

Dr Lindsay Banin spoke to BBC World News about the study.

Funding information

FOR-RESTOR is supported by a UKRI Natural Environment Research Council Global Partnerships Seedcorn Fund (NE/T005092/1). We also benefit from the kind contributions from international partners and their funding sources.