Why Single-Goal Forest Restoration Plans Fall Short
New research by the universities of Exeter and Oxford highlights a critical issue in forest restoration. Focusing on a single objective, such as carbon capture or wildlife preservation, often leads to unintended trade-offs. Instead, integrated restoration strategies can achieve multiple objectives more effectively.
The Problem with Narrow Focus
Traditionally, forest restoration projects have concentrated on one goal at a time. For instance, planting trees solely for carbon capture may involve species that fail to support local wildlife. Similarly, prioritising human needs can lead to neglect of ecological impacts. These single-goal strategies often result in a win-lose situation, where achieving one objective undermines others.
The study reveals that such narrow approaches limit the potential benefits of restoration projects.
The Advantages of Multifunctional Approaches
Integrated restoration plans aim to balance multiple objectives, offering more comprehensive solutions. According to the research, these plans can deliver over 80% of the benefits for each goal simultaneously. Such multifunctional landscapes support climate change mitigation, biodiversity, and societal needs all at once.
This holistic method is particularly advantageous for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. These communities, often the most vulnerable to environmental changes, gain significantly from integrated restoration efforts.
Insights from the Study
The research utilised a framework called Nature’s Contribution to People (NCP), which emphasises the interconnected benefits of restoration for both society and nature. Focusing on India, the study examined the regeneration of native forests in non-forested yet suitable areas.
Using optimisation algorithms, the team created detailed maps covering nearly 4 million hectares. They carefully avoided grasslands and agricultural lands to ensure the relevance of their findings.
When comparing single-goal strategies with integrated approaches, the results showed that holistic plans provided substantial benefits across all targeted areas. Notably, they minimised trade-offs and maximised outcomes, benefiting both the environment and vulnerable populations.
Although the study centred on India, the researchers suggest that this approach can guide conservation policies worldwide. It offers a pathway to achieve ambitious climate and environmental goals with fewer compromises and greater overall benefits.