Beyond tree planting: Mobilising restoration production networks in the Brazilian Savanna
Ecological restoration, Open ecosystem restoration, Carbon offset, Payments for ecosystem services, Community networks
A diverse and robust supply of products and services is essential for restoring millions of hectares of degraded open-canopy ecosystems to meet global restoration pledges. Yet restoration practices are notably constrained by the inadequate inclusion of native biodiversity and limited participation in decisions. Here, we analyze how institutional developments, market operations, and supply systems configure the Brazilian Savanna restoration production network. Our analyses reveal power asymmetries between multiple stakeholders, leading to an uneven distribution of investments, market demands, and technological resources across scales. Prevailing policies and regulations continue to prioritize forest-centric principles, disregarding the unique requirements of savanna ecosystems. Amidst these challenges, we identify compliance as the most influential restoration market in the Brazilian Savanna, albeit with regional demands that remain unstable and volatile. Nevertheless, community suppliers spark place-based innovations to co-create collective organization and situated techniques, advancing savanna restoration practices. Our research underscores the significance of promoting participatory procedures to reshape how institutions and markets prioritize local engagements to fully incorporate biodiversity considerations and ensure equitable sharing of restoration benefits.