What makes ecosystem restoration expensive? A systematic cost assessment of projects in Brazil

• Published in: Biological conservation 2019-12, Vol.240, p.108274, Article 108274
• Main Authors: Brancalion, Pedro H.S., Meli, Paula, Tymus, Julio R.C., Lenti, Felipe E.B., M. Benini, Rubens, Silva, Ana Paula M., Isernhagen, Ingo, Holl, Karen D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ecosystem restoration; Forest restoration; Large-scale restoration; Restoration costs; Restoration economy; Restoration financing; Restoration methods; Restoration policy
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108274

[Display omitted] Limited funding is a major barrier to implementing ambitious global restoration commitments, so reducing restoration costs is essential to upscale restoration. The lack of rigorous analyses about the major components and drivers of restoration costs limit the development of alternatives to reduce costs and the selection of the most cost-effective methods to achieve restoration goals. We conducted detailed restoration cost assessments for the three most widespread biomes in Brazil (Amazon, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest) and estimated the restoration costs associated with implementing Brazil’s National Plan for Native Vegetation Recovery (12M hectares). Most surveys (60–90%) reported using the costly methods of planting seedlings or sowing seeds throughout the site, regardless of the biome. Natural regeneration and assisted regeneration approaches were an order of magnitude cheaper but were reported in