Author Bozzano, M., Jalonen, R., Thomas, E., Boshier, D., Gallo, L., Cavers, S., Bordács, S., Smith, P. & Loo, J. (eds.)

Year of publication 2014

Restoration is not only about planting trees. Its success requires careful planning, as painfully demonstrated by numerous past restoration projects that have not attained expected goals. Restoration practices must be based on scientific knowledge, particularly so in these times of progressive climate change. The trees we plant today and other associated measures for restoration and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems must be able to survive abiotic and biotic pressures, including social ones, in order to be self-sustaining and generate the products and services vital to supporting the world’s population and environment for the years to come. The publication of this study is an important step in the implementation of the Global Plan of Action. It provides fundamental information for the achievement of knowledge based ecosystem restoration using native tree species. It draws attention to the importance of embedding genetic considerations in restoration activities, an aspect which is often overlooked both by restoration scientists and practitioners, but is nonetheless crucial to rebuilding resilient landscapes and ecosystems.