The role of social, policy and economic forces in shaping forest restoration practices in Europe

Bibtex

@misc{bc1095f8-a3e8-412b-acdf-bede31c2f67a,
title = "The role of social, policy and economic forces in shaping forest restoration practices in Europe",
abstract = "Forest restoration in Europe has a complex history strongly influenced by various social, policy and economic factors. Understanding these influences is essential for shaping effective restoration strategies and avoiding past mistakes, particularly in light of meeting ambitious targets outlined in initiatives such as the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. Here we identify the key social, policy and economic drivers, barriers and enablers that have historically shaped forest restoration across Europe. We analyzed and synthesized detailed information from historical national narratives on forest restoration provided by experts from 18 European countries. Our work details how wars, changes in governance (centralization vs. decentralization) and forest tenure (privatization vs. nationalization), different policy instruments (regulatory, financial, persuasive and organizational), market fluctuations and sociodemographic changes (e.g., rural abandonment, changes in public opinion) have driven the development of forest restoration in Europe. The findings underscore the need to use inclusive and innovative governance mechanisms to reconcile diverging societal paradigms (e.g., rural vs. urban, conservation vs. forestry) partly reflected in incoherent forest-related policies, as well as to address the fragmentation resulting from forest privatization. Ensuring stable funding mechanisms (e.g., remuneration systems for forest ecosystem services) alongside favorable regulatory frameworks will also be key for successful large-scale forest restoration efforts. Policy recommendations are made to ensure the effective implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, including a hybrid governance model that balances strong national regulatory frameworks with local adaptability to diverse socioecological contexts, integrating socioeconomic metrics, strengthening public engagement, and leveraging market-based and green tax incentives.",
author = "Maitane Erdozain and Iciar Alberdi and Réka Aszalós and Kurt Bollmann and Vassilis Detsis and Jurij Diaci and Martina Đodan and Georgios Efthimiou and László Gálhidy and Marie Haase and Johanna Hoffmann and Delphine Jaymond and Elisabeth Johann and Henrik Jørgensen and Frank Krumm and Timo Kuuluvainen and thibault Lachat and Katharina Lapin and Marcus Lindner and Palle Madsen and Liviu Nichiforel and Maciej Pach and Yoan Paillet and Ciprian Palaghianu and Jordi Palau and Jesús Pemán and Sanja Perić and Susanne Raum and Silvio Schüler and Jerzy Skrzyszewski and Johan Svensson and Sander Teeuwen and Giorgio Vacchiano and Kris Vandekerkhove and Isabel Cañellas and María Menéndez-Miguélez and Leland Warden and Simon Fleckenstein and Metodi Sotirov and Moses Kazungu and Marcel Hunziker and Luc De Keersmaeker and Aitor Àvila Callau and Sergio de-Miguel",
year = "2025",
month = nov,
day = "27",
doi = "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2025.107876",
language = "English",
publisher = "Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek",
address = "Belgium,
type = "Other"
}

Authors

Maitane Erdozain
Iciar Alberdi
Réka Aszalós
Kurt Bollmann
Vassilis Detsis
Jurij Diaci
Martina Đodan
Georgios Efthimiou
László Gálhidy
Marie Haase
Johanna Hoffmann
Delphine Jaymond
Elisabeth Johann
Henrik Jørgensen
Frank Krumm
Timo Kuuluvainen
thibault Lachat
Katharina Lapin
Marcus Lindner
Palle Madsen
Liviu Nichiforel
Maciej Pach
Yoan Paillet
Ciprian Palaghianu
Jordi Palau
Jesús Pemán
Sanja Perić
Susanne Raum
Silvio Schüler
Jerzy Skrzyszewski
Johan Svensson
Sander Teeuwen
Giorgio Vacchiano
Kris Vandekerkhove
Isabel Cañellas
María Menéndez-Miguélez
Leland Warden
Simon Fleckenstein
Metodi Sotirov
Moses Kazungu
Marcel Hunziker
Luc De Keersmaeker
Aitor Àvila Callau
Sergio de-Miguel