Restoring Degraded Landscapes with Native Species in Latin America

Today, reforestation in Latin America is more than planting trees in formerly forested landscapes. Rather, reforestation with native trees, in both mixed and pure plantations, can restore degraded pasturelands and can also foster regeneration under the plantations canopies. The planted trees can later be harvested, and the released understory can provide a regenerating forest to be managed for future economic profits, as well as biodiversity and other environmental services. Reforestation strategies can also include non-timber forest products with economic, medicinal, social and aesthetic values and services. This book discusses the economic and ecological benefits of forest restoration in Latin America.