Description: Passive restoration (also called unassisted or passive natural regeneration) is the least interventionist approach, allowing ecosystems to recover naturally by ceasing harmful activities or disturbances and giving native species the opportunity to regenerate on their own.
Optimal Use Case: This method is particularly effective in areas with existing native seed sources (strong natural regeneration potential) and relatively intact soils that have been impacted by temporary disturbances. This strategy is best suited for forests and grasslands and where the disturbance history is minimal to moderate.
Species Spatial and Temporal Arrangement: Not applicable. Passive restoration relies on the existing natural regeneration processes, and it is most effective in areas with low levels of invasive species.
On-the-Ground Techniques: To support passive restoration, efforts are made to isolate and protect the area from further detrimental land uses. Monitoring for emerging threats like invasive species is crucial to ensure successful recovery.
Carbon Sequestration Capacity within the Lifetime of a Carbon Project: Varies widely. While passive restoration may result in lower carbon sequestration in the short term, it can become substantial over time as ecosystems gradually return to their natural, carbon-sequestering states.
Community Benefits in Carbon Project Context: This method requires minimal initial investment, making it accessible and cost-effective for communities. Over time, this approach enhances ecosystem services, such as water regulation and soil fertility, which directly benefit local communities. Additionally, the gradual return of biodiversity creates opportunities for sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products, providing long-term economic benefits.
For further reading, please refer to:
- Choi, Y. D., Kelleher, E. M., Bird, E. J., & Murphy, S. (2024). Active versus passive restoration of tallgrass prairie in the US Midwest: plant species diversity and assemblage, net primary production and soil carbon sequestration. Restoration Ecology, 32(3), e14021.
- Meli, P., Holl, K. D., Rey Benayas, J. M., Jones, H. P., Jones, P. C., Montoya, D., & Moreno Mateos, D. (2017). A global review of past land use, climate, and active vs. passive restoration effects on forest recovery. Plos one, 12(2), e0171368.
- Moghli, M., Fang, Y., & Jordan, T. E. (2021). Land use and hydrology drive landscape change: Two decades of land use monitoring in the White Nile basin, Sudan. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 4, Article 735457.
- Osuri, A. M., Kasinathan, S., Siddhartha, M. K., Mudappa, D., & Raman, T. S. (2019). Effects of restoration on tree communities and carbon storage in rainforest fragments of the Western Ghats, India. Ecosphere, 10(9), e02860.