This brief summarizes key insights from a literature review and the National Dialogue on Ecosystem Restoration in Viet Nam, co-hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF, the Department of Forestry (MARD), and FAO in June 2024. The dialogue aimed to inform policy, identify gaps, and explore opportunities to advance restoration aligned with Viet Nam’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The NBSAP targets restoring at least 20% of degraded ecosystems by 2030, prioritizing forests, wetlands, and marine areas. Institutional coordination is led by the newly merged Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE). The dialogue emphasized the need for improved data systems, funding mechanisms, and alignment with global frameworks such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Tag: degraded forests
Makueni County Forest and Landscape Restoration Implementation Action Plan (FOLAREP) 2024-2033
Makueni County is one of the 47 counties in Kenya. It borders Machakos County to the North, Kitui County to the East, Kajiado County to the West and Taita Taveta County to the South. It is also one of the 29 Arid and Semi-arid lands (ASALs) of counties in Kenya. The forest cover in Makueni County is 5.38 % while the tree cover is 12.47% according to the National Forest Resources Assessment (NFRA) Report 2021. The county has a population of 987,653 with an annual growth rate of 5.1% and poverty rate of 34.8%. Forests and landscapes in Makueni are under immense pressure both from natural and anthropogenic factors resulting in slightly more than 13% of the total county area being degraded (NFRA, 2021). There is illegal and unsustainable logging for charcoal production, wood fuel and timber that has contributed largely to loss of forest ecosystem goods and services. Whereas Kenya committed herself to the Bonn Challenge and AFR100 in 2016 to restore 5.1 million hectares of deforested and degraded lands in order to address the associated challenges identified in the Country, there are no joint or coordinated efforts in carrying out restoration in the County by different actors.
Information and dataset system on the rehabilitation of degraded tropical forest ecosystems project for international network
This information and dataset system aims to facilitate international exchange and synthesis of the scientific and technical information based on results of the CIFOR/Japan project on the rehabilitation of degraded tropical forest ecosystems. There are two main pathways. One path integrates general information at the study site from annual reports, site map, remote sensing data, aerial chart and vegetation map into plot data of each site. Their outputs are data on site condition, vegetation, soil, climate, etc. which are accessible to the public. Another path is to accumulate experimental raw data into “Download” the use of which is restricted and requires a password. Version 1 of this system is experimentally located on the website at: http://www.ffpri.affrc.go.jp/labs/fmrt/cifor/start.htm
Estimating opportunity costs of avoided deforestation (REDD): Application of a flexible stepwise approach to the Indonesian pulp sector
Developing countries are expected to contribute to climate change mitigation efforts by reducing deforestation, with financial compensations for associated economic losses. These losses are due to foregone revenues and limited economic development, all of these labeled “opportunity costs”. Their accurate estimation is strategic for at least two reasons: to determine fair compensations, and to prioritize low cost strategies to reduce emissions. However, numerous interpretations of the opportunity cost concept coexist in the literature and in influential reports (e.g. Stern review), with differing estimated values for similar cases. This paper presents a framework to better identify relevant values to the calculations: profits / total national economic value, conservation site / downstream industries. When applied to the pulp sector in Indonesia, the framework yields contrasted opportunity costs. This contrast is due to several factors, including the heterogeneity of the pulp industry, or the availability of non-forested lands to displace activities. These values range from zero to one thousand dollars per hectare per year. To use such a framework would help gain credibility and achieve fairness in negotiations between host countries and other stakeholders, in particular those who fund activities to reduce deforestation
Makueni County Forest and Landscape Restoration Implementation Action Plan (FOLAREP) 2024-2032
Makueni County is one of the 47 counties in Kenya. It borders Machakos County to the North, Kitui County to the East, Kajiado County to the West and Taita Taveta County to the South. It is also one of the 29 Arid and Semi-arid lands (ASALs) of counties in Kenya. The forest cover in Makueni County is 5.38 % while the tree cover is 12.47% according to the National Forest Resources Assessment (NFRA) Report 2021. The county has a population of 987,653 with an annual growth rate of 5.1% and poverty rate of 34.8%. Forests and landscapes in Makueni are under immense pressure both from natural and anthropogenic factors resulting in slightly more than 13% of the total county area being degraded (NFRA, 2021). There is illegal and unsustainable logging for charcoal production, wood fuel and timber that has contributed largely to loss of forest ecosystem goods and services. Whereas Kenya committed herself to the Bonn Challenge and AFR100 in 2016 to restore 5.1 million hectares of deforested and degraded lands in order to address the associated challenges identified in the Country, there are no joint or coordinated efforts in carrying out restoration in the County by different actors.
Do tree plantations support forest conservation?
Key messages
- Tree plantations potentially support natural forest conservation. The main hypothesis for this effect is that tree plantations substitute natural forests for production, especially when plantations achieve high productivity.
- An exhaustive review of the published literature shows a diversity of analytical approaches with theoretical modeling, econometrics or descriptive statistics as main categories.
- This diversity reflects the complexity of translating a simple assumption into models because of the many factors at play. The analysis is all the more necessary as the positive substitution effect is straightforward, but potential negative (as well as other positive) impacts resulting from feedback/indirect effects, e.g. displacement of deforestation or replication of successful policies elsewhere, require more sophisticated methods to be understood.
- There is a convergence of findings of reduced degradation of natural forests with the expansion of tree plantations, but also potential increased deforestation due to lower market value of natural forests in the absence of logging (or displacement effects).
- A main limitation of studies pointing to the risk of forest conversion resulting from plantation expansion is the lack of consideration of policies and regulations that could prevent such deforestation, e.g. protected areas established where risks are high.
- These results are likely to apply partially to the case of fuelwood collection by local people – with less degradation but no identified outcome in terms of deforestation – yet much depends on household characteristics and the respective locations of plantations and forests.
- The limited number of studies challenges any general recommendation, yet a promising way forward may be the promotion of highly productive plantations in strategic places where agricultural rents are low, while taking action at the demand level to avoid a rebound effect whenever the price elasticity of demand for wood products is high.
- Continued production in natural forests, in a sustainable manner, might also help prevent deforestation, with wood products sold on niche markets and at a higher price owing to premiums (e.g. certification).
Conversion of degraded forests to oil palm plantations in the Peruvian Amazonia: Shifts in soil and ecosystem-level greenhouse gas fluxes
The expansion of oil palm (OP) plantations and associated forest clearance can significantly impact greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes. This study examined carbon stocks and soil GHG emissions (N₂O, CO₂, CH₄) in a degraded forest and a neighboring 17-year-old OP plantation in Peruvian Amazonia, where three nitrogen (N) fertilizer treatments were applied: 0 kg (OPN0), 84 kg (OPN1), and 168 kg (OPN2) per hectare per year. Carbon stocks were measured across different pools, and GHG fluxes and environmental parameters were monitored monthly over 11 months and (bi)daily during fertilizer application, with measurements taken near and far from trees/palms. Ecosystem-scale CO₂ equivalent losses were calculated by balancing carbon stock losses against N₂O emission changes. Findings showed that: (1) N₂O emissions (kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) were highest in the degraded forest (6.7 ± 1.2), where litterfall N inputs were substantial (213 kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹). Emissions in OP plantations were significantly lower: OPN0 (0.6 ± 0.2), OPN1 (1.4 ± 0.2), OPN2 (2.3 ± 0.3). (2) Soil respiration (Mg C ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) was 1.4 times higher in the forest (9.1 ± 0.6) compared to OP plantation treatments (OPN0: 7.3 ± 1, OPN1: 5.5 ± 0.5, OPN2: 6.5 ± 0.3). (3) The forest acted as a CH₄ sink (-1.5 ± 0.3 kg C ha⁻¹ y⁻¹), whereas all OP treatments were sources (OPN0: 0.2 ± 0.3, OPN1: 0.7 ± 0.5, OPN2: 0.2 ± 0.4). (4) Carbon stock losses from forest-to-OP conversion were significant (196.8 ± 44.0 Mg CO₂ ha⁻¹ over 15 years) but were partially offset (14–20%) by reduced N₂O emissions. These findings highlight the complex GHG trade-offs associated with OP expansion, reinforcing the need for complementary studies to enhance global GHG assessments.
Performance of forest plantations in small and medium-sized farms in the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica
Exotic tree species predominate in reforestation in tropical regions worldwide. However, some native species are suitable for plantations, providing a wider variety of products. Adequate government programs of incentives, coupled with good technical advice to farmers, are needed to stimulate reforestation, especially among small and medium-sized farmers with limited financial resources. This project evaluates growth of native and exotic tree species on plantations in small and medium-sized farms in the Atlantic humid lowlands of Costa Rica, Central America. A total of 210 pure plantations, ranging in age from 6 to 11 years, were evaluated on 123 farms that had used government incentives for reforestation, and had received technical advice from local non-government organizations. For each species, seven plantations were chosen at random for study. In each plantation, plots of 15 trees each were chosen systematically for evaluation of diameter at breast height (dbh), total height, number of trees per hectare, tree form and spacing. Terminalia amazonia (J.F. Gmel) Exell, Hieronyma alchorneoides Allemao, and Vochysia guatemalensis Donn. Sm. were the most frequent species found in plantations in the region of study. Gmelina arborea Roxb. (exotic) and V. guatemalensis (native) had the highest mean annual diameter increment with 2.90 and 2.59 cm, respectively. Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess. (native) had the lowest mean annual diameter increment (1.48 cm). G. arborea and V. guatemalensis had the highest mean annual volume increment, followed by Tectona grandis (L.f) Lam. (exotic), and T. amazonia and Cordia alliodora (R&P) Cham. (both native). Although G. arborea had the greatest mean annual diameter increment, it had the lowest plantation density and problems with form. V. guatemalensis and T. amazonia, two native species, were the most promising species for reforestation, due to good growth in volume, good form, and adaptability to a variety of sites. The poor form of exotic species was related to the low intensity management methods of small farmers. Exotic species had the highest performance variability between sites, while native species showed relatively high growth homogeneity. Therefore, native species seem more promising than exotics for general use across varying ecological conditions.
Landscape rehabilitation of degraded tropical forest ecosystems: case study of CIFOR/Japan Project in Indonesia and Peru
Tropical forests are decreasing at the rate of 16.9 million hectares per year due mainly to clearing for agriculture and shifting cultivation. Timber harvesting results for more than 5 million hectares of tropical forest becoming degraded looged-over forests every year without any adequate management. The decrease and degradation of tropical forests caused by anthropological activities affect not only the sustainable production of timber but also global environments. The clarified scientific information on the rehabilitation of degraded tropical forest ecosystems enables managers to devise silvicultural systems which enhance soil properties and forest resources important to sustainable production and minimise deleterious effects associated with harvesting impacts and short rotation of plantation. Rehabilitation is aimed to improve biological diversity, increasing commercial value for timber and non-timber products, increasing forest functions, improve soil fertility. Technically developments are expected for reducing logging impacts, accelerating natural regeneration, species selection, enrichment, sustainable site management, catalytic plantation, site evaluation and classification. Socioeconomic developments are also expected for local community participation and socio-economic acceptability. Following research activities have been considered (1) evaluation of forest harvesting impacts on the forest ecosystems: (i) evaluate logging and yarding methods on disturbance of forest ecosystems, (ii) analyse the demography of regenerated tree population, (iii) model a/de-gradation processes in forest ecosystems, (2) development of methods to rehabilitate logged-over forests and degraded forest lands: (i) treatments accelerating natural regeneration, (ii) development of enrichment planting methods, (3) development of silvicultural techniques on degraded forest lands: (i) development of species-site matching methods, (ii) management options for sustained productivity, (iii) social and economic acceptability of management options. In Indonesia, CIFOR co-operates with Universitas Mulawarman, and looks at (a) evaluation of forest harvesting impacts on the forest ecosystems, and (b) evaluation of forest harvesting and fire impacts on the forest ecosystems and development of methods to rehabilitate logged-over forest and degraded lands. The site is Bukit Soeharto Education Forest, a mixed Dipterocarp forest logged by INHUTANI I in 1976. The forest has been heavily burnt in 1998 after experimental treatment. The approach to rehabilitation has been through the “taungya system” whereby farmers are allowed to grow annual crops among the newly-planted trees. With the Instituto Nacional de Investigacion Agraria (INIA), Peru, the project is trying out re-vegetation of abandoned fallow fields after agricultural use. There is specific interest to select tree species having high economic value that can adapt and grow rapidly in abandoned agricultural land and on infertile soils. Sites are all located in the Ucayali region of the Peruvian Amazon. After the first two years, results are pointing to specific promising species that can be recommended. The project involves small farmers in silvicultural activities and even species choice takes into account their preferences.
Rehabilitation of degraded tropical forest ecosystems: workshop proceedings, 2-4 November 1999, Bogor, Indonesia
This conference proceedings contains 26 papers based on the activities of partner institutions that the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) has facilitated. There are 4 sections: (i) evaluation of forest harvesting and fire impacts on forest ecosystems; (ii) development of methods to rehabilitate logged-over forests and degraded forest lands; (iii) development of silvicultural techniques on degraded forest lands; and (iv) network of the rehabilitation of degraded forest ecosystems.