CLOUD FOREST RESTORATION WITH A LANDSCAPE APPROACH

Abstract

In the face of global degradation and fragmentation and loss of forests, the goal of restoring 150 million ha of degraded and deforested land by the year 2020 has been established. Mexico has committed to undertake the restoration of 8.5 million ha for completion by 2020, a target that will require an enormous economic, social and scientific effort. This article is a short summary of the restoration concept and the particular techniques utilized in cloud forest restoration. Cloud forest is a highly fragmented ecosystem of very restricted distribution. Strategies for ecological restoration are discussed, considering the particular characteristics of cloud forest landscapes and the challenges of establishing viable practices in order to promote greater ecological fidelity. The ultimate goal is to create forest mosaics featuring both
ecological integrity and social viability.