From landscape ecology to forest landscape restoration

Context Forest landscape restoration (FLR) was first defined in 2000 and has emerged from several disciplines, including conservation biology and landscape ecology. As it has gained in popularity, it is useful to go back to its origins and explore its similarities and differences with the discipline of landscape ecology. Objective This article aims to identify the relationship between forest landscape restoration (FLR) and landscape ecology. Methods It draws on a historical overview of FLR, an analysis of the definition of FLR and examples from existing FLR projects to illustrate this relationship. The article then analyses the convergence and divergence between FLR and landscape ecology. Results Three areas of convergence - landscapes, integration and connectivity - and three areas of divergence - process versus analysis, transformative and political nature of FLR- are identified and described. Conclusions Going forward, some areas of integration between the two disciplines are proposed.