reforestation

Reforestation is the process of reestablishing forest cover by planting or seeding in deforested or degraded lands. It differs from afforestation, which establishes forests on lands not previously forested. Reforestation can help restore ecosystem services and resilience.

Methods include active reforestation (nursery-grown seedlings planted by hand or machine), natural regeneration (protecting and guiding regeneration of existing seed sources), and assisted natural regeneration (protecting existing saplings and using fencing or management). Agroforestry and restoration of degraded woodlands also contribute.

Purposes and benefits include carbon sequestration, biodiversity restoration, soil stabilization, water cycle regulation, flood control, and sustainable livelihoods. It supports ecosystem services, can improve climate resilience, and may support timber and non-timber products.

Challenges include site conditions, seed and seedling supply, climate change, drought, pests, funding, land tenure, and land-use conflicts, as well as risks of monocultures or non-native species if not carefully planned, potential fire risk, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance requirements. Long-term success depends on planning, local involvement, and adaptive management.

Global efforts involve many governments and organizations setting restoration targets (for example, the Bonn Challenge and the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration). Outcomes are typically measured in hectares restored and ecological health, while standards and certification schemes aim to ensure sustainable practices and accountability.