International forest revival methods will improve

Significance

Soil health can rebound to 90% of its original values in less than a decade, while plant functioning (assessed by wood density, leaf area and percentage of nitrogen-fixing trees) takes up to 25 years and recovery of species diversity requires 25-60. Biomass and species composition recover slowest, taking over 120 years to reach 90% of their original values.

Impacts

• The swift recovery of plant functioning suggests that ecosystem functions, such as productivity, could recover at a similar pace.
• The use of diverse seeds in tropical forest restoration could improve resilience and sustainability in the face of climate change.
• Restoration offers potential for poverty reduction if implemented to encourage activities such as small-scale agroforestry.