Toward a social-ecological forest landscape restoration assessment framework: a review.

The urgency to restore landscapes to counteract deforestation, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss has resulted in a global commitment to landscape restoration. Many frameworks and tools have emerged for the design and implementation of restoration activities. The frameworks tend to focus on selected dimensions of sustainability, with the majority focusing on the ecological. Current frameworks miss a balanced assessment of (planned) interventions taking into account also the social dimension relating to participation and ownership as well as improvement of livelihoods. The objective of this review is to assess current frameworks for identification of strength and weaknesses and to derive an integrated Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) assessment framework model that shall help overcome current limitations. Applying systematic literature review, a total of 22 frameworks are selected and analyzed in-depth applying qualitative content analysis. Our review finds that frameworks vary with respect to their focus and restoration objectives. They also differ in relation to spatial and temporal scale, degree of stakeholder participation, consideration of ecological and social dimensions, monitoring and evaluation approaches, as well as provisions for exit strategies. Findings are summarized in form of an integrated FLR assessment framework, comprising six interlinked components: stakeholder participation, customization, time and scale of application, social-ecological balance, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and exit strategy. The proposed framework facilitates design and implementation of context specific interventions, balancing the nexus of social and ecological dimensions of FLR and acknowledges the need to also include reflection on learnings and planning of an exit strategy for long-term success. Highlights: Current FLR frameworks emphasize on ecological restoration, neglecting its social dimension, especially socio-cultural context and social cohesion. Understanding restoration as a social-ecological transformation process and putting more emphasis on a balanced approach is key to facilitate long-term success of restoration initiatives. Review results are summarized in form of an integrated FLR assessment framework that comprises six interlinked components: stakeholder participation, customization, time and scale of application, social-ecological balance, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and exit strategy. The framework advocates for context specific planning to ensure restoration that best fits the respective environment. Monitoring and evaluation must be an integral part of each FLR project that is undertaken, in conjunction with multiple stakeholders and over longer time. Specific indicators of FLR targets must be defined for the monitoring of implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]