Article

The benefits of mountain woodland restoration

Details

Citation

Watts SH & Jump AS (2022) The benefits of mountain woodland restoration. Restoration Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13701

Abstract
Mountain woodland ecotones require urgent action to reverse long-term habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. There is growing interest in restoring high-elevation woodland and scrub communities, harnessing planting and natural regeneration. Emissions offsetting has been a key driver, yet mountain systems offer slower mechanisms for biomass accumulation due to their typically smaller size, lower density and slower growth than forests at lower elevations. We argue that the natural capital afforded by mountain woodland restoration is far more comprehensive than carbon sequestration alone and encompasses an important array of ecosystem services and biodiversity gains. Improved opportunities for wildlife and people include natural hazard protection, sheltering, structural variability, vegetation diversity and recreation. Furthermore, mountain woodland restoration provides critically needed nature- based solutions for reducing threats from escalating climate change such as soil erosion, flooding, warming temperatures and extreme weather. It is imperative that these benefits are embedded within conservation policy and environmental incentives.

Keywords
Biodiversity; Climate change; Conservation policy; Ecosystem services; Environmental management; Montane scrub; Natural capital; Nature-based solutions

Notes
Output Status: Forthcoming/Available Online

Journal
Restoration Ecology

StatusIn Press
FundersNERC Natural Environment Research Council, NERC Natural Environment Research Council, Scottish Forestry Trust, Woodland Trust, The National Trust for Scotland, Forest Research and Future Woodlands Scotland
Publication date online10/04/2022
Date accepted by journal08/04/2022
URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/34186
PublisherWiley
ISSN1061-2971
eISSN1526-100X

People (2)

Professor Alistair Jump

Professor Alistair Jump

Dean of Natural Sciences, NS Management and Support

Miss Sarah Watts

Miss Sarah Watts

PhD Researcher, Biological and Environmental Sciences

Projects (2)