Forest restoration and biodiversity in the face of climate change in degraded landscapes
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Forest restoration has emerged as a key strategy to address landscape degradation, biodiversity loss, and the impacts of climate change, provided it is understood as an integrated ecological and social process rather than merely tree planting. The aim of this study was to analyze recent scientific evidence regarding the contribution of forest restoration to biodiversity conservation and climate resilience in degraded landscapes. A qualitative, exploratory, and documentary literature review was conducted using scientific articles, reviews, and institutional reports published between 2020 and 2025 and retrieved from databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The findings indicate that the most effective restoration interventions prioritize native species, functional diversity, assisted natural regeneration, ecological connectivity, participatory governance, and long-term monitoring. Likewise, approaches focused exclusively on carbon sequestration, monocultures, or increasing tree cover may limit ecosystem recovery and ecological functionality. The study concludes that forest restoration simultaneously contributes to climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and the recovery of ecosystem services; however, its success depends on the integration of ecological, social, and institutional criteria capable of ensuring resilient and sustainable landscapes.
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