Forest restoration: one concept, multiple interpretations

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dc.contributor.authorErdozain, Maitane
dc.contributor.authorMadrid, Victoria
dc.contributor.authorÀvila Callau, Aitor
dc.contributor.authorAlberdi, Iciar
dc.contributor.authorCañellas, Isabel
dc.contributor.authorNavarro-Cerrillo, Rafael M.
dc.contributor.authorPalacios-Rodríguez, Guillermo
dc.contributor.authorPalau, Jordi
dc.contributor.authorMiguel Magaña, Sergio de
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-14T12:01:31Z
dc.date.available2026-07-14T12:01:31Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.description.abstractForest restoration is gaining global momentum, with increasingly ambitious goals and targets. Yet, a fundamental challenge persists: reaching a shared understanding of what “forest restoration” and “forest adaptation” actually mean, concepts that are complex, dynamic and often interpreted differently in theory and practice. This study explores expert interpretations of forest restoration and adaptation by assessing levels of agreement, testing definitions through case studies, identifying influencing factors, and fostering dialogue to build mutual understanding and consensus. We applied the Delphi method, engaging 62 experts through one online and three in-person workshops to complete two successive questionnaires. While experts broadly agreed on preferred definitions, there was marked variability in their practical interpretations, especially regarding rewilding and passive restoration. To bridge these gaps, experts identified four widely supported criteria for defining forest restoration: long-term outcomes, focus on ecological processes and functions, delivery of ecosystem services and resilience to climate change (94, 91, 91 and 89% support, respectively). Differences in interpretation were partially linked to participants' gender, age and professional background, as well as to the ambiguous language used in existing definitions. These divergences pose a challenge for developing national restoration strategies and for assessing alignment with frameworks such as the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. Clarifying core concepts and incorporating diverse perspectives through participatory processes can foster greater consensus and more effective restoration planning.
dc.description.sponsorshipThis study was conducted as part of the REFORADAPT project, supported by the Biodiversity Foundation, of the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, through the grant program for projects that contribute to the implementation of the Spanish National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2021−2030). A.A.C. was funded through an Investigo Programme contract under the European Union's Next Generation EU initiative. R.N.C. and G.P.R. were supported by DesFutur project funded by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) of the Government of Spain, within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR), funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU”/PRTR RYC2021–033138-I-MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2026.103869
dc.identifier.issn1389-9341
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/470894
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.relation.isformatofReproducció del document publicat a https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2026.103869
dc.relation.ispartofForest Policy and Economics, 2026, vol. 190, núm. 103869, p. 1-13
dc.rightscc-by-nc (c) Erdozain et al., 2026
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International*
dc.rights.accessRightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/*
dc.subjectAdaptation
dc.subjectClimate change
dc.subjectConsensus
dc.subjectDelphi method
dc.titleForest restoration: one concept, multiple interpretations
dc.typeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/article
dc.type.versioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
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