Forest regeneration after natural disturbance: an assessment of costs and benefits

Forests are important socioeconomically and environmentally but are increasingly vulnerable to natural disturbances. Windstorm damages, like those from Vaia in 2018, exemplify the growing risk to monocultural forest landscapes. There are debates about optimal forest management strategies for regeneration after damages and there are few studies that integrate both biophysical and socioeconomic strategies. This study aims at assessing the economic viability of artificial regeneration with objectives of providing both timber and non-timber forest products in 16 pilot sites located in Italy, France, and Spain. The project uses data referred to the initial two years of the LIFE VAIA project and projects the economic outcome at year 20 for a 100 hectare plot known as ES1. The analysis uses income from timber, non-timber forest products, and ecosystem services. The financial analysis yielded a negative NPV, but the NPV resulting from the extended economic analysis was positive. This indicates the influence inclusion or exclusion of ecosystem services valuation can have on Cost-Benefit Analyses. To demonstrate project resilience and framework robustness, sensitivity analyses were conducted and showed minimal impact on the economic analysis. The result is a framework design that is applicable across all LIFE VAIA pilot sites, and similar projects. The study illustrates the resiliency achieved when reforestation programs consider multiple goals and diversify income streams. Through the innovative methodology that considers agroforestry practices, the LIFE VAIA project acts as a model for adaptive reforestation programs.