Assessing and planning large-scale forest restoration for ecological and social outcomes

Ecological restoration is recognised as one of the main strategies for promoting water and food security, thus constituting one of the pillars of ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change. Recent global initiatives, such as the Bonn Challenge, which aims to restore 150 million hectares by 2020, support ecological restoration through assisted or natural reforestation, sustainable climate-resilient agricultural practices, and avoided deforestation.

In order to contribute to the development of mechanisms and public policies that can lead to successful large-scale forest restoration initiatives, it is instrumental to evaluate effectiveness of social and ecological outcomes of ongoing strategies, identifying challenges and opportunities. This assessment will allow the development of frameworks for implementing and monitoring large-scale forest restoration initiatives in an efficient way.

Advisors: Associate Professor Jonathan Rhodes, Professor Hugh Possingham