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Which ecosystem services can restored forests provide?
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ecological restoration
Wetland restoration along the Târnava Mică (Tîrnava Mică) River in Romania. A former gravel mine (left) was transformed into a functional wetland (right).
Restored forests provide a wide range of critical ecosystem services that support both environmental health and human well-being. These services include:
- Climate Regulation: Forests act as major carbon sinks, sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into their biomass and soils, which helps mitigate global warming.31
- Water Management: Forested landscapes regulate the hydrologic cycle by filtering water, controlling runoff, and protecting water quality. They also help prevent floods and stabilize water yields.23
- Soil Protection: Through root systems and litter layers, forests provide essential soil stabilization and erosion control, particularly in mountainous regions.23
- Biodiversity and Habitat: Restored forests provide necessary habitat for wildlife, supporting biodiversity that is often lost during deforestation.41
- Nutrient Cycling: Forests play a vital role in nutrient cycling, which maintains the fertility and health of the ecosystem.43
- Human Provisioning and Cultural Services: Forests provide resources such as timber and food, as well as recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits.41