With the goal to collect scientific knowledge about forest restoration and provide solutions for upscaling to a bigger level, the 4-year EU funded Horizon 2020 project SUPERB (“Systemic solutions for upscaling of urgent ecosystem restoration for forest-related biodiversity and ecosystem services”) is Europe’s largest cross-border project on forest restoration. A first big project event with leading scientists, experts and practitioners was held in Sibiu, Romania. As a member of the Advisory Board CEPF attended the meeting, contributing to raise European forest owners’ views.
The overall objectives of SUPERB are to enable and demonstrate large-scale restoration of forests and forest landscapes across Europe, featuring an inclusive, socio-economic as well as ecological approach that maximises the synergies between ecosystem services. Project activities include the set up and testing of a broad diversity of restoration approaches at 12 demo sites (picture) in different countries across Europe. Stakeholders such as local communities, landowners, NGOs and nature agencies are participating in the restoration activities that include a variety of measures and management forms.
Another aim is to collect and present evidence-based knowledge on managing, governing and financing restoration derived from existing forest restoration projects, while also considering societal demands. An interactive marketplace for landowners and funders of restoration actions is to be created as well as a central knowledge platform about forest restoration providing guidance for anyone interested. Furthermore, a large stakeholder network supports the projects goals and activities.
Starting with a high-level joint event with the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance on 31 May at the Sibiu State Philharmonics, the Prince of Wales highlighted the need to rethink our economy, investing in biodiversity, innovation and local communities in his opening speech. Forests as well as a circular bioeconomy play a key role. Following Bart Muys’ presentation of a new science policy study “Forest Biodiversity in Europe” by EFI, a renowned expert panel discussed different issues on forest restoration and biodiversity.
CEPF representative, Austrian national expert Valerie Findeis, took part of the two days of intensive project meetings. It brought scientists, stakeholders and experts in this broad and ambitious project closer together and set the path for the work in the coming years. Subsequently, an excursion to the Carpathian Mountains offered the opportunity to see some of the project’s objectives in action.
Further information about the project is provided at SUPERB’s recently launched website https://forest-restoration.eu or on Twitter.
