Restoration Ecology: New Perspectives and Opportunities for Forestry

Ecological restoration and restoration ecology have emerged as an allied practice and scientific discipline in land management. Here, we discuss the relationship between restoration ecology and forestry and the potential for interdisciplinary exchange. We present two case studies illustrating the potential roles of foresters in restoration ecology: (1) a forest restoration project in Redwood National Park, California, and (2) a project to restore northern hardwood forest structure in Minnesota. We conclude that restoration ecology can add conceptual breadth, research and management tools, and employment opportunities to the field of forestry.