The importance of capturing management in forest restoration targets

Abstract

The restoration of tree cover has been placed at the top of international policy agendas, yet often, the ‘type’ of restored forests can be widely different, with consequences for biodiversity and livelihoods. Here we used a map of forest management types to assess the extent of managed forests in recent tree cover gains globally. We call on policymakers to differentiate forest management as a distinct element of reforestation targets. Restoring forests is a policy priority globally, but often, little attention is paid to the type of forest being restored, which matters for biodiversity and livelihoods. Using a map of forest management types, this study assessed the extent of managed forests in recent tree-cover gains globally.