Assisted natural regeneration

Deer fence and gate on the Tubeg track. This part of the south side of Loch Assynt has been fenced off to assist natural regeneration of the tree cover. So far, there are few trees showing, despite the OS mapping showing this as a wooded area.

Assisted natural regeneration (ANR) (also termed managed regrowth) is the human protection and preservation of natural tree seedlings in forested areas. Seedlings are, in particular, protected from undergrowth and extremely flammable plants such as Imperata grass. Though there is no formal definition or methodology, the overall goal of ANR is to create and improve forest productivity. It typically involves the reduction or removal of barriers to natural regeneration such as soil degradation, competition with weeds, grasses or other vegetation, and protection against disturbances, which can all interfere with growth.[1] In addition to protection efforts, new trees are planted when needed or wanted (enrichment planting). With ANR, forests grow faster than they would naturally, resulting in a significant contribution to carbon sequestration efforts. It also serves as a cheaper alternative to reforestation due to decreased nursery needs.

The most effective way to implement ANR is very site-specific, and many nations provide guidebooks on how to select and maintain an ANR project.[2][3]

  1. ^ Yang, Yusheng; Wang, Lixin; Yang, Zhijie; Xu, Chao; Xie, Jingsheng; Chen, Guangshui; Lin, Chengfang; Guo, Jianfen; Liu, Xiaofei; Xiong, Decheng; Lin, Weisheng (2018). "Large Ecosystem Service Benefits of Assisted Natural Regeneration". Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. 123 (2): 676–687. doi:10.1002/2017JG004267. hdl:1805/17196. ISSN 2169-8961. S2CID 59360292.
  2. ^ "Chapter 5: Assisted Natural Regeneration" (PDF).
  3. ^ "3. Assisted Natural Regeneration*". Guidelines for Site Selection and Tree Planting in Cambodia (PDF). Forestry Administration/Cambodia Tree Seed Project/DANIDA. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-06. Retrieved 2009-06-03. Source: Kathleen et al, 1999.