Are Tree Seed Systems for Forest Landscape Restoration Fit for Purpose? An Analysis of Four Asian Countries

Abstract

High-quality, suitably adapted tree seed at volume is a key component for the implementation and long-term success of forest landscape restoration (FLR). We analysed the tree seed systems in four Asian countries—the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and India—which have committed to restore in total over 47.5 million hectares of degraded lands by 2030. We assessed the national seed systems using an established indicator framework, literature review and expert surveys and interviews. Additionally, we surveyed 61 FLR practitioners about their challenges in acquiring seed to understand how the strengths and weaknesses identified at the national level were reflected in FLR projects on the ground. Identified key constraints common to the studied countries are (i) a mismatch between the growing demand for priority native species and the limited seed supply in terms of quantity and quality, (ii) lack of effective quality control for seed of native species and (iii) lack of information about the effects of climate change on native species to guide species selection and seed sourcing and to improve the resilience of restored ecosystems. We discuss options to strengthen seed systems for native tree species both in terms of quality and volume to enable them to effectively respond to the national FLR commitments and make recommendations on promising technical solutions.

Fifteen essential science advances needed for effective restoration of the world's forest landscapes

“…Tree-planting is central to most forest restoration projects and yet it remains controversial because of multiple past and ongoing widespread and large-scale mistakes and misclassifications, e.g. planting monocultures [ 123 ], exotic/invasive species [ 124 ] or ecologically inappropriate species [ 125 ], inappropriate locations [ 126 ] and inadequate local input/collaboration [ 49 ]. Decisions regarding where to plant trees remain challenging, in terms of both where to focus restoration in a landscape (Advance 2), and what species and spatial arrangements to use for planting to maximize potential for natural regeneration and to minimize costs [ 127 ].…”

Toward diverse seed sourcing to upscale ecological restoration in the Brazilian Cerrado

“…Each seed supply system traded a distinctive set of species, suggesting they are not interchangeable, as found in other seed supply systems across the world (Atkinson et al, 2021;Bosshard et al, 2021). Consequently, expanding the existing systems or creating new ones will probably increase the number of species available for seed-based restoration in the Cerrado.…”

Seeding African Forest and Landscape Restoration: Evaluating Native Tree Seed Systems in Four African Countries

“…Best practice recommendations on seed collection emphasise the need to collect seeds from populations of at least 50 mature individuals per species and from at least 30 widely-spaced trees in each population [19][20][21]. However, these recommendations are rarely considered in restoration interventions on the ground, resulting in a lack of genetic diversity in the restored forest landscapes [11,[22][23][24][25][26][27]. Establishing restored populations with inbred seeds and seeds of narrow genetic diversity results in slow growth, poor survival, low reproductive success and natural regeneration in future generations, as well as reduced capacity to respond to environmental changes [28].…”