Integrating Belowground Recovery into Tropical Forest Restoration Design and Monitoring

Authors

Lauren Toro, Yale University
Leland K. Werden, ETH Zurich
Shalom D. Addo-Danso, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana
Kelly M. Andersen, Nanyang Technological University
Sarah Batterman, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Matilde M. Bragadini, ETH Zurich
Pooja Choksi, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Rebecca J. Cole, ETH Zurich
Liza S. Comita, Yale University
Daniela Cusack, Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Daisy H. Dent, ETH Zurich
Lee H. Dietterich, Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Joshua B. Fisher, Chapman UniversityFollow
Katrin Fleischer, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Lucia Fuchslueger, University of Vienna
Nohemi Huanca-Nunez, Yale University
Janey R. Lienau, Yale University
Lindsay A. McCulloch, University of South Florida
Ember M. Morrissey, West Virginia University
Jennifer S. Powers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Mareli Sánchez-Juliá, Yale University
Oscar Valverde-Barrantes, Florida International University
Anita Weissflog, Yale University
Michelle Y. Wong, Yale University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-14-2025

Abstract

There is growing recognition that tropical forest restoration is key for sequestering carbon and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Soils, roots, and soil biota are central to ecosystem function and services, but belowground recovery is largely overlooked in restoration monitoring frameworks. Here, we outline current understanding of the links between above- and belowground recovery in tropical forests by examining how belowground properties before and after intervention influence recovery; by evaluating whether aboveground recovery can serve as a proxy for belowground dynamics; and by proposing a blueprint for monitoring dynamic soil physical (bulk density, aggregate stability), chemical (organic matter or carbon, pH), and biological properties (decomposition rate, macrofauna abundance) in resource-constrained projects. Although we highlight some aboveground proxies for assessing belowground recovery, a better understanding of relationships between above- and belowground indicators across diverse restoration interventions remains essential. Overall, we provide an actionable path toward integrating belowground recovery into restoration design and assessment.

Comments

This article was originally published in BioScience in 2025. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf097

Recommended Citation

Laura Toro, Leland K Werden, Shalom D Addo-Danso, Kelly M Andersen, Sarah Batterman, Matilde M Bragadini, Pooja Choksi, Rebecca J Cole, Liza S Comita, Daniela Cusack, Daisy H Dent, Lee H Dietterich, Joshua B Fisher, Katrin Fleischer, Lucia Fuchslueger, Nohemi Huanca-Nunez, Janey R Lienau, Lindsay A McCulloch, Ember M Morrissey, Jennifer S Powers, Mareli Sánchez-Juliá, Oscar Valverde-Barrantes, Anita Weissflog, Michelle Y Wong, Integrating belowground recovery into tropical forest restoration design and monitoring, BioScience, 2025;, biaf097, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf097

Copyright

The authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.