The Restorative Imperative: Assessing Objectives, Approaches and Challenges to Restoring Naturalness in Forests

Authors:
Burton, P.J. and S.E. Macdonald

Publication Date:
2011

Abstract/Summary:
The inherent challenges in restoring “naturalness” include high temporal and spatial heterogeneity in forest conditions and natural disturbances, the long history of human influence on forests in many regions of the world, and uncertainty about future climate and disturbance regimes. Although fixed templates may be inappropriate, we still have a reasonably clear idea of the incremental steps required to make forests more natural. Because most locations can support many alternative configurations of natural vegetation, the restoration of forest naturalness necessarily involves the setting of priorities and strategic directions in the context of human values and objectives, as informed by our best understanding of ecosystem structure and function now and in the future.

Resource Type:
Peer-reviewed Article

Source:
Silva Fennica

Link:
http://www.metla.fi/silvafennica/full/sf45/sf455843.pdf