A proposed framework for participatory forest restoration in semiarid areas of North Africa: Participatory forest restoration | Land Portal

Informações sobre recurso

Date of publication: 
Janeiro 2017
Resource Language: 
Pages: 
9
License of the resource: 

Ecological restoration is a suitable tool to revert land degradation in semiarid areas. Social participation is increasingly considered as a guarantee for the long-term success and sustainability of restoration projects. In rural areas of North African countries, experiences of participatory restoration are still not frequent, and poverty and illiteracy with top-down approaches boost land-use conflicts and raise skepticism toward restoration programs. We developed a framework for forest restoration based on knowledge share, trust, and active stakeholder participation in all restoration steps. The framework was tested through a demonstrative project aimed at restoring Tetraclinis articulata forests in a semiarid area of North Morocco, in which scientists, managers, and local stakeholders were involved in all steps of the restoration process: identification of restoration priorities, assessment of land-use options, definition of the restoration procedure, participatory plantation, evaluation, surveillance, and monitoring. In a 1 ha plot, 250 plants were planted by 90 participants in a spirit of knowledge exchange, mutual aid, environmental education, and social solidarity. After 2 years, the plot remains intact, free of any act of vandalism and grazing, and shows signals of improved ecosystem functioning. A wider application of the proposed framework in current restoration strategies will enhance our understanding of the factors behind social acceptance and support for restoration projects.

Autores e editores

Author(s), editor(s), contributor(s): 

Mchich Derak1, Jordi Cortina, Lahcen Taiqui, Antonio Aledo

Publisher(s): 

Incorporated in 1988, the Society for Ecological Restoration is a global community of restoration professionals that includes researchers, practitioners, decision-makers, and community leaders from Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, and the Americas. SER members are actively engaged in the ecologically sensitive repair and recovery of degraded ecosystems utilizing a broad array of experiences, knowledge sets, and cultural perspectives. 

Provedor de dados

Incorporated in 1988, the Society for Ecological Restoration is a global community of restoration professionals that includes researchers, practitioners, decision-makers, and community leaders from Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, and the Americas. SER members are actively engaged in the ecologically sensitive repair and recovery of degraded ecosystems utilizing a broad array of experiences, knowledge sets, and cultural perspectives. 

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