Using one or more exotic species to achieve stability and productivity. That is, there is no attempt to restore any of the original biodiversity at the site. (David Lamb, 1994)

Returning disturbed lands to a form and productivity that will be ecologically balanced, often in conformity with a predetermined reclamation plan. (USDA Forest Service, 1997)

To recover productivity at a degraded site using mostly exotic tree species. The original biodiversity is not recovered although the protective function and many of the original ecological services may be re-established. (Gilmour, D.A. et al., 2000)

Gain of land from the sea, or wetlands, or other water bodies, and restoration of productivity or use to lands that have been degraded by human activities or impaired by natural phenomena. (PEENRA website)

To recover productivity (but little of the original biodiversity) at a degraded site. In time, the protective function and many of the original ecological services may be re-established. Reclamation is often done with exotic species but may also involve native species. (UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center website)

The process designed to adapt a natural ecosystem to serve a utilitarian human purpose. It may put a natural ecosystem to a new or altered use, most often using introduced plants. It is often used to refer to processes that replace native ecosystems and convert them to agricultural, mining or urban uses. (USDA-NRCS website)

The act or process of re-establishing a forest on land that had been deforested in the last 50 years.

Reestablishment of a tree crop on forested land (USDA Forest Service, 1997)

Artificial establishment of forest on lands which carried forest before. (FAO, 1998)

Establishing cover of trees, shrubs and grasses on a tract of land that had a forest cover on it until fifty years ago or later. Often the same species are used that had existed earlier. (Siyag, P.R., 1998)

The re-establishment of forest formations after a temporary condition with less than 10% canopy cover due to human-induced or natural perturbations. (FAO, 2000)

The re-establishment of trees and understorey plants at a site previously occupied by forest cover (Gilmour, D.A. et al., 2000)

Establishment of forest plantations on temporarily unstocked lands that are considered as forest. (FAO, 2001)

The re-growth of forest after a temporary (<10 years) condition with less than 10% canopy cover due to human-induced or natural perturbations (FAO 2000). (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA, 2001)

The direct human-induced conversion of non-forested land to forested land through planting, seeding and/or the human-induced promotion of natural seed sources, on land that was forested but that has been converted to non-forested land. For the first commitment period, reforestation activities will be limited to reforestation occurring on those lands that did not contain forest on 31 December 1989. (UNFCCC, 2001)

The re-establishment of trees and understorey plants at a site immediately after the removal of natural forest cover (ITTO, 2002)

The act of planting trees on bare or open land which is used to be covered with forest growth (PEENRA website)

Ways of re-establishing forest cover. (UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center website)

Using some of the original species plus, where necessary, exotic species to reforest the site. In this case there is no attempt to recreate the original ecosystem, rather the objective is to return the forest to a stable and productive condition. (David Lamb, 1994)

The process of making land "productive" again. An alternative ecosystem is created with different structure and function than the original ecosystem. It usually has low species diversity and includes introduced species. It requires maximal human input to exist. Land uses include parklands, croplands, and commercial forests. (NSW-EPA, 1995)

Actions taken to restore or reclaim site productivity, water quality or other values (USDA Forest Service, 1997)

Rehabilitation is making the land useful again after a disturbance. It involves the recovery of ecosystem functions and processes in a degraded habitat. Rehabilitation does not necessarily reestablish the predisturbance condition, but does involve establishing geological and hydrologically stable landscapes that support the natural ecosystem mosaic. (Willamette Restoration Initiatives, 1999)

To re-establish the productivity and some, but not necessarily all, of the plant and animal species thought to be originally present at a site. For ecological or economic reasons the new forest might also include species not originally present at the site. The protective function and many of the ecological services of the original forest may be re-established. (Gilmour, D.A. et al., 2000)

A management strategy applied in degraded forest lands that aims at restoring the capacity of a forest to produce products and service.(ITTO, 2002)

To return an area of land or a road or track surface to an original, proper and stable condition. This may involve reshaping, spreading topsoil, construction of banks and revegetation. (Northern Rivers Private Forestry website)

To re-establish the productivity and some, but not necessarily all, of the plant and animal species thought to be originally present at a site. For ecological or economic reasons the new forest might also include species not originally present at the site. In time, the protective function and many of the ecological services of the original forest may be re-established. (UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center website)

Attempting to recreate the original forest ecosystem by reassembling the original complement of plants and animals that once occupied the site. (David Lamb, 1994)

Work necessary to restore a facility to the original constructed condition or to an acceptable condition concerning any damage resulting from natural or human causes, which exceeds that which normally occurs during annual maintenance. (USDA Forest Service, 1997)

Restoration is the process of repairing damage to the diversity and dynamics of ecosystems. Ecological restoration is the process of returning an ecosystem as closely as possible to predisturbance conditions and functions. Implicit in this definition is that ecosystems are naturally dynamic; it is therefore not possible to recreate a system exactly. The restoration process reestablishes the general structure, function, and dynamic but self-sustaining behavior of the ecosystem. Restoration differs from rehabilitation in that restoration is a holistic process not achieved through the isolated manipulation of individual elements. While restoration aims to return an ecosystem to a former natural condition, rehabilitation implies putting the landscape to a new or altered use to serve a particular human purpose. (Willamette Restoration Initiatives, 1999)

To re-establish the presumed structure, productivity and species diversity of the forest originally present at a site. The ecological processes and functions of the restored forest will closely match those of the original forest. (Gilmour, D.A. et al., 2000)

The process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed (Society for Ecological Restoration, 2002)

A management strategy applied in degraded primary forest areas. Forest restoration aims to restore the forest to its state before degradation (same function, structure and composition).(ITTO, 2002)

(Restored natural/secondary forest)
Restored forest, through either planting or/and seeding, or through natural regenerating process, where restoration aims to create a species mix and ecology approaching that of the original natural forest. (Poulsen, J. 2002)

(Forest Landscape) Restoration
A planned process that aims to regain ecological integrity and enhance human wellbeing in deforested or degraded forest landscapes. (WWF and IUCN, 2001)

To re-establish the presumed structure, productivity and species diversity of the forest originally present at a site. (In time, the ecological processes and functions of the restored forest will closely match those of the original forest). (UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center website)

The process of intentionally altering a site to establish a defined, indigenous, historic ecosystem. The goal of this process is to emulate the structure, function, diversity, and dynamics of the specified ecosystem. (USDA-NRCS website)