Reforestation
Reforestation is the process of restoring forests that have been degraded or lost, thereby helping to rebuild ecosystems, sequester carbon, and support biodiversity. Planting trees in deforested areas can improve soil quality, regulate water cycles, and provide habitats for a wide range of species. And when done with a rewilding approach, reforestation goes beyond planting trees: it’s about creating functioning, self-sustaining native ecosystems. Rewilding-driven reforestation focuses on native species, ensuring that the forest being replanted reflects the original biodiversity of the area. In contrast, conventional reforestation techniques often prioritise the quick regrowth of green cover with a focus on timber production or carbon sequestration, often using non-native species or monoculture plantations. While it helps restore greenery, conventional reforestation does not always address the full ecological complexity needed for long-term ecosystem resilience. Rewilding-driven reforestation, on the other hand, prioritises rebuilding ecological systems that can ensure that forests become biodiverse systems that can thrive even in the face of climate change.