Guidelines on biodiversity-friendly afforestation, reforestation and tree planting

Guidelines on biodiversity-friendly afforestation, reforestation and tree planting

European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Guidelines on biodiversity-friendly afforestation, reforestation and tree planting, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Introduction
Definitions

  • Strategies
  • Methods

Part I Forest ecosystems

  1. Recommended actions before afforestation and reforestation
    1.1. Choose the correct area
    1.2. Evaluate the biodiversity and soil
    1.3. Choose the right species
    1.3.1. Choose species adapted to the local ecological and climatic conditions and habitats
    1.3.2. Focus on native species
    1.3.3. Avoid introducing invasive alien species
    1.3.4. Take climate change into account
    1.3.5. Promote the mixing of species
    1.4. Adapt nurseries
  2. Recommended actions during afforestation and reforestation
    2.1. Protect habitats
    2.2. Sustainably use and nurture soil, protect the water cycle
  3. Recommendations actions after afforestation and reforestation
  4. Beyond planting: natural regeneration

Part II Tree planting in urban ecosystems
Introduction
Tree planting in urban ecology

  1. Green urban planning and management tools
  2. Conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in urban areas
    2.1. Biodiversity in spatial planning
    2.2. Increase the structural complexity of vegetation
    2.3. Increase habitat resources
    2.4. Choose the right species for biodiversity
    2.5. Complementary measures to improve biodiversity
  3. Promoting ecosystem services in urban areas
    3.1. Ecosystem services and the urban agenda
    3.2. Minimise disservices
    3.3. Choose the right species to provide ecosystem services
    3.4. Involve citizens in urban areas
  4. Target different types of urban green spaces
    4.1. Parks
    4.2. Residential and private gardens
    4.3. Informal green spaces
    4.4. Streets and squares
    4.5. Other areas
  5. Monitoring and adaptive management.

Part III Tree planting in agricultural land
Introduction

  1. Benefits and examples of agroforestry
  2. Key elements of agroforestry
    2.1. Create heterogeneous agricultural landscapes
    2.2. Agroforestry systems and practices

Part IV Financing afforestation, reforestation and tree planting

  1. Common agricultural policy
  2. Cohesion policy
  3. LIFE
  4. Horizon Europe
  5. Technical Support Instrument (TSI)

Annex

  1. Relevant EU legislation and international guidelines
  2. Good practice
  3. Member State experts and key stakeholders

The Guidelines can be found here:

The Guidelines in different languages can be found here.