The fourth principle of Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), “Maintain and enhance natural ecosystems within landscapes” shows the importance of strengthening existing ecosystems, and not just recovering areas that are already degraded. To achieve this, continuous action is necessary and involves numerous actors in the process, such as governments, communities, companies, and local leaders.
It is possible to maintain a healthy ecosystem by promoting biodiversity and protecting habitats, which are key to creating more resilient landscapes. These ecosystems contribute to essential services such as mitigating climate change and even protecting wildlife.
Focusing on protecting these natural systems that already exist can also be beneficial for future generations, as it fights against the loss of biodiversity. These ecosystems also play a central role in human well-being.
Anita Diederichsen, Chair of the Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration and Global Lead for Forest Landscape Restoration at WWF, believes in the power of this principle. “FLR focuses on maintaining and enhancing natural ecosystems. By avoiding the conversion of natural forests, we ensure that our restoration efforts support biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Restoration is the plus, as we go towards a Nature Positive recovery path”, she says.
Principles
GPFLR identified six principles to promote global guidance on restoration:
1) Focus on landscapes
2) Engage stakeholders and support participatory governance
3) Restore multiple functions for multiple benefits
4) Maintain and enhance natural forest ecosystems within landscapes
5) Tailor to the local context
6) Manage adaptively for long-term resilience.
We asked partners how they see the principles and what their organizations are doing in this regard. In the coming weeks, leading up to COP 16, we will publish viewpoints of our GPFLR partners. Read the last article, about Restoring Multiple Functions for Multiple Benefits by clicking here.
