Forest Restoration Research Articles

Pollen dispersal distance of Brazilian native tree species: a systematic review

Knowledge of the pollen dispersal distance (PDD) is crucial for delimitating the collection radius of subpopulations in seed collection areas used as germplasm sources for genetic breeding, conservation, and restoration projects. Some studies have reported the PDD of trees, but these are scattered throughout the literature. Therefore, the objective of this study was to systematically review and report as many PDDs as possible found in the literature on native Brazilian tree species. In the present study, we identified the most and least studied species, temporal trends in publications, geographic distribution of studies, mating systems, and pollinator types for each species. A systematic review protocol was established, and the search criteria were improved, resulting in 543 articles. Forty-four articles contained information on native species, and 319 PDD from 41 tree species were extracted. The most investigated species for pollen dispersal were Cariniana estrellensis (Raddi) Kuntze (Jequitibá-branco) and Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze (Araucária). The PDD values ranged from 9 m to 5229 m, averaging 543.9273 m. The five species with the highest average PDDs were Centrolobium tomentosum Guill. ex Benth. (Araribá), Swietenia macrophylla King (Mogno-brasileiro), Hymenaea courbaril L. (Jatobá), Dipteryx alata Vogel (Baru) and Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. Ex-Hayne (Jatobá do Cerrado) at 3191 m, 1472 m, 1450 m, 1215.12 m, and 1086.81 m, respectively. Theobroma cacao L. and Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil. had the shortest PDDs averages at 28 m and 15.9 m, respectively. This work provides a valuable PDD database that will expand the possibilities for new research and guide projects related to seed collection, forest restoration, germplasm conservation, and genetic breeding of native Brazilian trees.

Spatial Variability of Micronutrient Status in Miyawaki Forest Development

Aim: This study aims to quantitatively analyze the spatial variability in the micronutrient status of soil by conducting a comparative assessment of soil samples from Miyawaki forest and adjacent barren land. By focusing on key parameters such as soil pH, organic matter content and micronutrient levels, the changes brought by the Miyawaki method of afforestation is being studied. Study Design: Soil samples were collected from the first Miyawaki forest established in Kerala and a comparative study was done with neighbouring undisturbed plot to analyse the changes that was brought about by the establishment of Miyawaki forest in the area. Place and Duration of Study: The Miyawaki forests selected for study was located in Puliyarakonam in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India. Methods: Representative soil samples were collected from the Miyawaki forest lands and neighbouring undisturbed plot from two depths and was subjected to various analyses. Results: The various soil chemical parameters were found to be enhanced by this method of afforestation indicating an improved soil fertility and soil health. Conclusion: The study highlights the significant benefits of Miyawaki forest restoration techniques on soil properties, which have far-reaching implications for both soil health and biodiversity. A higher OM (4.13%), available micronutrients (B-0.83 mg kg-1, Fe- 39.65 mg kg-1, Mn-30.53 mg kg-1, Zn-12.44 mg kg-1, Cu-8.90 mg kg-1) and pH (5.35) was observed in the Miyawaki forest in the surface soil. It was found that while the pH increased in the subsurface soil all the micronutrient concentration decreased with depth.

The Impact of Ecological Restoration on Soil Quality in Humid Region Forest Habitats: A Systematic Review

Ecological restoration is widely recognized as an essential technique for addressing soil degradation, biomass decline, and biodiversity loss. Improving and maintaining soil quality is critical to ensuring environmental sustainability and successful forest recovery. This systematic review aimed to assess the impact of ecological forest restoration efforts on soil quality in humid regions, as well as to compare the effectiveness of various ecological restoration strategies on soil quality indicators. Subsequently, a systematic search on various databases (e.g., Scopus and Google Scholar) yielded 696 records, of which 28 primary studies met the inclusion criteria. The results emphasized that chemical and physical soil properties are the key indicators for assessing ecosystem performance during forest restoration. The most commonly measured parameters were soil carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, pH, bulk density, and soil porosity. It was shown that the restoration process required a longer duration to reach a comparable level of recovery as seen in mature forests, particularly in terms of fully restoring soil quality. Additionally, it has been noted that prior land use influences the length of time needed for soil quality recovery. In planted sites, soil quality may keep improving as the site ages, though it tends to stabilize after a certain period.

Changes in Soil Physicochemical Properties and Fungal Communities Following a Forest Fire in the Pine Forest of Uljin, Republic of Korea

Soil samples from the rhizosphere of pine (Pinus densiflora) stands in the fire-disturbed Uljin forest were collected to analyze their physicochemical properties and fungal communities. In the burned area, soil pH decreased by 0.56, and organic matter content decreased by 0.32%p compared to the undisturbed area. Fungal community analysis revealed that all alpha diversity indices decreased in the burned area, but there were no differences according to fire severity. Soil pH, available phosphorus, and total nitrogen showed a positive correlation with the alpha diversity. Additionally, beta diversity analysis also indicated significant differences in the fungal communities between the burned area and the control sites (p value = 0.031). The changes in fungal communities were considered to be influenced by the decline in the order Atheliales, genus Russula, and genus Trechispora. A prediction analysis of the functional traits of fungi showed that the number of fungi involved in nutrient absorption and decomposition decreased in the burned area. It seems that the soil restoration of pine forests is progressing very slowly, as the soil fungi related to nutrient absorption by pine trees have not recovered even 18 months after the forest fire. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor continuous fungal communities in pine forest restoration after a forest fire to determine forest ecosystem restoration success and stabilization.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT BASED ON SOIL LOSS, DEFORESTATION IN PERMANENT PRESERVATION AREAS, AND WATER QUALITY APPLIED IN THE ITACAIÚNAS WATERSHED, EASTERN AMAZON.

To understand how various environmental pressures may threaten the Amazon territory, specifically its hydrographic basins, it is crucial to guide key management actions such as soil conservation, environmental preservation, and forest restoration. This paper, based on a detailed study conducted in the Itacaiúnas River Watershed (IRW) located in the Carajás mining province—one of the most significant metallogenetic provinces globally and within the Arc of Deforestation in the Amazon—proposes a new index to assess environmental threats or vulnerabilities. The index evaluates soil loss, deforestation in permanent preservation areas, and water quality—key environmental issues in watershed management. Using geoprocessing and remote sensing techniques, we applied the index across the entire catchment area and at the beginning of the drainage network (a proxy for river springs). Our findings reveal that: i) 68% of unit catchments (32% of headwaters) exhibit “High” or “Very High” soil loss vulnerability; ii) 69% of unit catchments (32% of headwaters) have more than 20% of their permanent preservation areas deforested, representing the primary threat among the three criteria to the basin; iii) Only 4.7% of unit catchments (2% of headwaters) present any chemical risk related to water consumption. The combined criteria (simple arithmetic mean of normalized values) indicate that the east-central and southern parts of the watershed have higher index values, necessitating greater attention to soil conservation. In contrast, the center-western area of the basin, characterized by conservation units and indigenous land, showed low index values but remains at risk primarily due to soil loss if environmental preservation actions are not maintained.

Afforestation Reduces Deep Soil Carbon Sequestration in Semiarid Regions: Lessons From Variations of Soil Water and Carbon Along Afforestation Stages in China's Loess Plateau

AbstractAfforestation represents an effective approach for ecosystem restoration and carbon (C) sequestration. Nonetheless, it poses notable challenges concerning water depletion and soil drought in (semi)arid regions. The underlying mechanisms regulating the influence of afforestation on soil carbon‐water dynamics, particularly how deep soil C reacts to afforestation‐induced soil drying, remain largely unclear. This study examined the variations of soil water content (SWC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) in 500 cm depth along four afforestation stages: abandoned grasslands, shrublands, and 20‐year and 40‐year Robinia pseudoacacia forests (RP20 and RP40) in the semiarid Loess Plateau, China. The results indicated that afforestation has significantly increased SWC (+26.6%), SOC (+44.5%), and SIC (+6.5%) in the shallow layer (0–100 cm) but caused evident soil drying (−60.8%), decrease in SOC (−37.8%), and slight reduction in SIC (−0.3%) in the deep layer (300–500 cm) when compared with grasslands. The seriously decline in the coupling coordination between soil C and SWC in the middle and deep layers indicates the unsustainability of afforestation especially for RP40. Structural equation model showed that the negative impact of afforestation on deep SOC through soil water depletion (−0.38) outweighed the direct positive impact of increased aboveground biomass (AGB) (+0.33). The negative impacts of decreased SWC and increased pH on deep SIC was close to the positive impacts of AGB. Afforestation has different effects on SOC and SIC across shallow and deep layers, and its negative effects on deep soil C should be fully integrated into future forest ecosystem restoration and management efforts.

Natural forest restoration enhanced abundance and changed composition of soil phosphorus cycling genes compared with plantations

Natural forest restoration enhanced abundance and changed composition of soil phosphorus cycling genes compared with plantations

Balancing Water Yield and Water Use Efficiency Between Planted and Natural Forests: A Global Analysis.

Climate warming is projected to affect hydrological cycle in forest ecosystems and makes the forest-water relationship more controversial. Currently, planted forests are gaining more public attention due to their role in carbon sequestration and wood production relative to natural forests. However, little is known about how the global patterns and drivers of water yield and water-use efficiency (WUE) differ between planted and natural forests. Here, we conduct a global analysis to compare water yield and WUE in planted and natural forests using 946 observations from 112 published studies. The results showed that global average water yield coefficient was 0.29 for planted forests and 0.34 for natural forests. Planted forests exhibited lower water yield coefficient (p < 0.05) in three climatic regions (arid, dry subhumid, and humid regions), but higher (p < 0.01) WUE only in arid region, compared with natural forests. Both water yield coefficient and WUE in planted forests were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that in natural forests for stand characteristic groups (stand density, average tree height, leaf area index [LAI], and basal area). Additionally, stand density within the ranging between 1000 to 2000 stem ha-1 can maximize the water yield and WUE in planted and natural forests. Water yield coefficient in planted forests was primarily controlled by the factors related to tree growth (i.e., tree height, DBH), while that of natural forest mainly affected by stand structure (i.e., LAI, stand density, DBH). WUE in planted forest was more sensitive to climate than in natural forests. This work highlights the critical role of natural forests in water supply and the importance of tree species selection and stand management (e.g., stand density adjustment) in plantations in future forest restoration policies and climate change mitigation.

Global potential for natural regeneration in deforested tropical regions.

Extensive forest restoration is a key strategy to meet nature-based sustainable development goals and provide multiple social and environmental benefits1. Yet achieving forest restoration at scale requires cost-effective methods2. Tree planting in degraded landscapes is a popular but costly forest restoration method that often results in less biodiverse forests when compared to natural regeneration techniques under similar conditions3. Here we assess the current spatial distribution of pantropical natural forest (from 2000 to 2016) and use this to present a model of the potential for natural regeneration across tropical forested countries and biomes at a spatial resolution of 30 m. We estimate that an area of 215 million hectares-an area greater than the entire country of Mexico-has potential for natural forest regeneration, representing an above-ground carbon sequestration potential of 23.4 Gt C (range, 21.1-25.7 Gt) over 30 years. Five countries (Brazil, Indonesia, China, Mexico and Colombia) account for 52% of this estimated potential, showcasing the need for targeting restoration initiatives that leverage natural regeneration potential. Our results facilitate broader equitable decision-making processes that capitalize on the widespread opportunity for natural regeneration to help achieve national and global environmental agendas.

Monitoring of areas in conflict with the Legislation for the Protection of Native Vegetation in Brazil: opportunity for large-scale forest restoration and for the Brazilian global agenda

Monitoring of areas in conflict with the Legislation for the Protection of Native Vegetation in Brazil: opportunity for large-scale forest restoration and for the Brazilian global agenda

Community-Led Participatory Forest Monitoring for the Restoration of Kibale National Park (KNP) in Western Uganda

This paper presents findings from a study on Participatory Forest Monitoring (PFM) and Natural Forest Restoration (NFR) in Uganda, a case of communities bordering Kibale National Park (KNP), Uganda was conducted among 394 respondents from June to August 2024. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design to determine participatory Forest Monitoring Activities and Practices. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to collect responses and data was analysed using MS Excel. Findings reveal that more males (55.58%) participated in PFM compared to 44.42 females, most females were involved in raising seedlings for restoration of KNP. The majority (83.76%) of them were farmers. Over 46.09% of the households were employed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority Forests Absorbing Carbon Emission (UWA-FACE) project and living within 1 kilometre of the park boundary. Tree planting through reforestation of degraded and reclaimed areas was the main PFM activity at 51%. Participation in PFM was through signing a Memorandum of Understanding. Only 24% of the households signed an MOU with UWA-FACE to participate in PFM programmes. Of the 394 respondents surveyed, 79.2% strongly agreed that they engaged in selecting tree species to raise for restoration activities to improve the management of Kibale National Park (M=1.88, SD = 1.97). Almost half (54.4%) of the communities bordering Kibale National Park (KNP) work with UWA rangers during forest monitoring patrols in restored areas (M=2.25, SD = 1.95). PFM can restore natural forests. There is a need to increase support for community projects by UWA-FACE.

The Influence of Participatory Forest Monitoring on Natural Forest Management and Community Welfare: A Case Study in Kibale National Park, Western Uganda

The paper presents findings from a Study on Participatory Forest Monitoring (PFM) and Natural Forest Restoration (NFR) in Uganda, a case of communities bordering Kibale National Park (KNP), western Uganda. The study involved 394 respondents who were interviewed from June to August 2024. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design to determine the perceived effect of Participatory Forest Monitoring Activities at the household level and examine the relationship between Participatory Forest Monitoring Activities and Natural Forest Restoration while involving communities bordering Kibale Forest. Almost half (54.4%) of the communities bordering Kibale National Park (KNP) work with UWA rangers during forest monitoring patrols in restored areas (M=2.25, SD = 1.95). Participation in PFM improved income at the household level directly addressing household needs especially income for school fees and other needs by 79.9% (r=0.799, P&lt;0.05). PFM can restore natural forests, increase revenue and better community livelihoods.

Assessing the Impacts of Nature-Based Solutions on Ecosystem Services: A Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus Approach in the Nima River Sub-Basin (Colombia)

Forest ecosystem services are critical for maintaining ecological balance and supporting human well-being from different perspectives. However, rapid land use changes driven by agricultural expansion, urbanization, and industrial activities have significantly altered forest ecosystems, degrading the services they provide. We here conduct an ecosystem service assessment through biophysical and economic estimates for a multipurpose Andean water sub-basin in western Colombia. We compare a business as usual (BAU) with a forest nature-based solution (NbS) scenario focused on forest landscape restoration. The research employed participatory methods for the NbS selection and economic valuation techniques to evaluate water flow regulation, water provisioning, water purification, and food provisioning services. Results show that the NbS scenario yielded a net positive economic impact across most evaluated ecosystem services, with notable trade-offs. Specifically, the NbS scenario increased water retention by 2.9% compared to BAU. Water flow regulation demonstrated the most substantial economic benefit, increasing by EUR 11.39 million/year in the NbS scenario. On the other hand, the food provisioning service presented a reduction of EUR 3.2 million/year in the NbS scenario. These findings highlight the potential of forest-based NbS to address the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus challenges. The study’s outcomes provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners, supporting the development of Payment for Ecosystem Services schemes and integrating ecosystem service valuation into land use planning and decision-making processes.

Editorial: To plant, rewild, or ignore? Linking forest restoration methods to long-term ecological trajectories and ecosystem services

Editorial: To plant, rewild, or ignore? Linking forest restoration methods to long-term ecological trajectories and ecosystem services

Assessing Atlantic Kelp Forest Restoration Efforts in Southern Europe

Kelp forests are essential marine ecosystems increasingly compromised by human activities. Effective reforestation strategies are urgently needed, and the “green gravel” method is a viable tool already used in some European regions. This study aimed to assess the success of this method using the native Kelp species Laminaria ochroleuca on the Portuguese coastline. Cultures of green gravel were reared until the specimens reached a size of approximately 3 cm. The gravel was then deployed at selected sites in Peniche, Berlengas, and Cascais. Over an eight-month period, scientific scuba divers monitored the integration of Kelp, along with associated fish, invertebrate, and algae communities. Nutrient availability, temperature, water movement, substrate type, and Rugosity Index (RI) were also measured. The highest success rate was 12% in Consolação, with Elefante and Galos (Berlengas) reaching 7% and 4%, respectively. By the end of the monitoring period, Cascais had no remaining Kelp on green gravel. Present data suggest that higher success is dependent on less rugged and higher RI topography. Higher grazing pressure, rougher terrain, and unexpected sedimentation appear to be the main obstacles to deployment success. Solid knowledge (biologic and topographic) on the restoration site, starting restoration actions near already established Kelp forests, and significantly scaling up restoration efforts could substantially improve the success of the green gravel method in future reforestation campaigns.

Current constraints to reconcile tropical forest restoration and bioeconomy

AbstractLarge-scale forest restoration is vital for delivering a broad array of ecosystem services benefits to society. However, it is often perceived as an economically noncompetitive land use choice. Integrating economic opportunities into restoration aligns socioeconomic and environmental goals, reducing conflicts between forest production and conservation-oriented management decisions. Supply chains focusing on high-value goods can enhance the reach of forest restoration efforts and unite ecological and economic benefits in a multifunctional manner. The bioeconomy has emerged as a potential but critical driver for attracting investments in restoration. We outline the challenges and solutions to reconcile forest restoration and bioeconomy, specifically about (i) native timber production, (ii) non-timber forest products, (iii) biotechnological products, and (iv) intangible ecosystem services. This requires collaborative and multidisciplinary efforts to improve investment in large-scale projects. The intricacies of these issues intersect with research development, market dynamics, legal frameworks, and regulatory paradigms, underscoring the necessity for nuanced and tailored public policy interventions. These integrated approaches should enable tropical countries to lead the global forest-based economy and usher in a new era of forest restoration. Graphical abstract

Mixed active and passive forest restoration facilitates plant diversity recovery in southern Ethiopia

Global deforestation and forest degradation threaten the sustainability of natural and human systems. Forest landscape restoration, through active approaches such as plantations, woodlots, boundary planting, and agroforestry, and passive approaches like exclosures, presents an opportunity to mitigate adverse effects, enhance ecosystem service recovery, and associated benefits for livelihoods. Here, using different spatial scales, we compare the contribution of both approaches to the recovery of plant diversity in southern Ethiopia. Using forest inventory data (891 plots) from multi‐aged stands, we estimated and compared alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) diversity in regeneration and tree layers between the approaches. We observed increasing α‐diversity in the order grazing lands‐active‐passive‐forest sites. β‐Diversity revealed similarity between passively restored sites and natural forests. γ‐Diversity was higher in active restoration for the regeneration layer, but passive restoration had higher γ‐diversity in the tree layer. For both approaches, γ‐diversity was consistently highest in intermediate‐aged stands (10–20 years). Results highlight the potential of active restoration strategies to facilitate vegetation recovery in human‐dominated landscapes, especially when management allows natural regeneration, while stand age variation may be associated with disturbance intensities for both approaches. Our results support a paradigm shift toward implementation of a mixture of these approaches in the landscapes to meet increasing human demands while restoring important ecosystem services like biodiversity. We recommend enhancing species diversity on restored sites to improve performance and ecosystem service recovery. On actively restored sites, we recommend protecting regenerated species; on passively restored sites, enrichment planting, increased protection, and sustainable utilization.

Uncovering data gaps in biodiversity research within Brazilian Atlantic Forest restoration

Bringing together and synthesizing data from several primary studies and scales represents a powerful method for identifying patterns and gaps within forest restoration science. In this study, we employ a pioneer quantitative database‐driven review combined with spatial analysis to delineate research trends across biodiversity studies within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF). We gathered a total of 90 primary studies that met our inclusion criteria, collectively providing 822 observations (comparisons between restoration sites and reference forests) spanning restoration areas with ages ranging from 1 to 90 years old. Vascular plants and invertebrates dominated in terms of data availability, whereas soil microorganisms were the subject of limited inquiry. There is an evident disparity in the number of evidences for different forest types across regions, with mixed forest being underrepresented in relation to seasonal forest and dense forest (rainforest). On the contrary, we observed an even distribution of biodiversity outcomes across the age categories we defined for reference forests (i.e. secondary forest, secondary advanced, and old‐growth forest). Geospatial analysis revealed a concentration of research efforts within the southeastern region of the BAF. However, a significant research deficit remains for the northeast and south regions, crucial for comprehending biodiversity responses to restoration in environmental extremes. By integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches, this framework review provides a roadmap for deepening our understanding of biodiversity responses to restoration in the BAF. Ultimately, it serves as a bridge between quantitative findings and nuanced contextual insights, guiding future research and similar studies across diverse ecosystems worldwide.

Structures of Forest Stands in Monospecific Reforestations Based on Tectona grandis Lf. (Verbenaceae) in the Sangoué Classified Forest in Côte d’Ivoire

Teak-based reforestation poses the challenge of sustainable development in terms of meeting economic, social and environmental needs. In order to meet the needs of populations for timber and contain anthropogenic pressures on flora, reforestation based on Tectona grandis is initiated in the Sangoué Classified Forest. Therefore, a diagnostic study is therefore essential to assess the effects of this practice on the environment. This study assessed the consequences of planting Tectona grandis on the conservation and restoration of the Sangoué classified forest. For this, the structural and floristic characteristics of teak stands at different stages of evolution were compared. The results showed that young plots have more plant species, are more diverse and more evenly distributed. Older plots have the highest densities and basal areas of stems, with an inverted J-shaped distribution. Young plots have the lowest densities and basal areas, as well as a more regular horizontal structure. The woody species introduced into reforestation are Tectona grandis, Gmelina arborea and Cedrela odorata. In the 33-year-old block, the total basal area value is 18.07 m² per hectare, then 13.72 m² per hectare in the 30-year-old block. As for the 25- and 28-year-old blocks, the basal area values per hectare are 12.61 m2 and 9.39 m2 respectively. Young plots promote natural regeneration and floristic diversity, while older plots present low floristic diversity with reduced structural balance. Introduced species have benefited more from teak planting than native ones. Teak planting may lead to profit, but it presents challenges for biodiversity. The impact of teak planting on the Sangoué classified forest differs depending on the stage of evolution of the stands. Therefore, it has advantages and disadvantages for forest restoration and conservation. The teak plantation needs to be adjusted to forest management.

Forest and Biodiversity 2: A tree diversity experiment to understand the consequences of multiple dimensions of diversity and composition for long‐term ecosystem function and resilience

Abstract We introduce a new “ecosystem‐scale” experiment at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in central Minnesota, USA to test long‐term ecosystem consequences of tree diversity and composition. The experiment—the largest of its kind in North America—was designed to provide guidance on forest restoration efforts that will advance carbon sequestration goals and contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainability. The new Forest and Biodiversity (FAB2) experiment uses native tree species in varying levels of species richness, phylogenetic diversity and functional diversity planted in 100 m2 and 400 m2 plots at 1 m spacing, appropriate for testing long‐term ecosystem consequences. FAB2 was designed and established in conjunction with a prior experiment (FAB1) in which the same set of 12 species was planted in 16 m2 plots at 0.5 m spacing. Both are adjacent to the BioDIV prairie‐grassland diversity experiment, enabling comparative investigations of diversity and ecosystem function relationships between experimental grasslands and forests at different planting densities and plot sizes. Within the first 6 years, mortality in 400 m2 monoculture plots was higher than in 100 m2 plots. The highest mortality occurred in Tilia americana and Acer negundo monocultures, but mortality for both species decreased with increasing plot diversity. These results demonstrate the importance of forest diversity in reducing mortality in some species and point to potential mechanisms, including light and drought stress, that cause tree mortality in vulnerable monocultures. The experiment highlights challenges to maintaining monoculture and low‐diversity treatments in tree mixture experiments of large extent. FAB2 provides a long‐term platform to test the mechanisms and processes that contribute to forest stability and ecosystem productivity in changing environments. Its ecosystem‐scale design, and accompanying R package, are designed to discern species and lineage effects and multiple dimensions of diversity to inform restoration of ecosystem functions and services from forests. It also provides a platform for improving remote sensing approaches, including Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with LiDAR, multispectral and hyperspectral sensors, to complement ground‐based monitoring. We aim for the experiment to contribute to international efforts to monitor and manage forests in the face of global change.