Actions to conserve biodiversity
We have summarised evidence from the scientific literature about the effects of actions to conserve wildlife and ecosystems.
Review the evidence from the studies
Not sure what Actions are? Read a brief description.
122 Actions found
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122 Actions found
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Action | Effectiveness | Studies | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Plant a mixture of tree species to enhance diversity Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 2 | ![]() | |
Remove or disturb leaf litter to enhance germination Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 2 | ![]() | |
Use soil disturbance to enhance germination (excluding scarification or ploughing) Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 2 | ![]() | |
Manage woody debris before tree planting Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 2 | ![]() | |
Add organic matter after tree planting Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 2 | ![]() | |
Add lime to the soil after tree planting Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 2 | ![]() | |
Use tree guards or shelters to protect planted trees Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 2 | ![]() | |
Log/remove trees within forests: effects on young trees Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 2 | ![]() | |
Adopt community-based management to protect forests Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 3 | ![]() | |
Shorten livestock grazing period or control grazing season in forests Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 3 | ![]() | |
Use shelterwood harvest instead of clearcutting Action Link | Likely to be beneficial | 3 | ![]() | |
Use partial retention harvesting instead of clearcutting Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 3 | ![]() | |
Legal protection of forests Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 3 | ![]() | |
Sow tree seeds after wildfire Action Link | Likely to be ineffective or harmful | 3 | ![]() | |
Enhance soil compaction Action Link | Likely to be ineffective or harmful | 3 | ![]() | |
Log/remove trees within forests: effects on non-vascular plants Action Link | Likely to be ineffective or harmful | 3 | ![]() | |
Use vegetation removal together with mechanical disturbance to the soil Action Link | Likely to be beneficial | 3 | ![]() | |
Prevent livestock grazing in forests Action Link | Trade-off between benefit and harms | 4 | ![]() | |
Thin trees within forests: effects on non-vascular plants Action Link | Likely to be ineffective or harmful | 4 | ![]() | |
Mechanically/manually remove invasive plants Action Link | Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence) | 4 | ![]() | |
Add organic matter Action Link | Trade-off between benefit and harms | 4 | ![]() | |
Use prescribed fire after tree planting Action Link | Trade-off between benefit and harms | 4 | ![]() | |
Use herbicides after tree planting Action Link | Unlikely to be beneficial | 4 | ![]() | |
Fence to prevent grazing after tree planting Action Link | Likely to be beneficial | 5 | ![]() | |
Use fertilizer after tree planting Action Link | Unlikely to be beneficial | 5 | ![]() |
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Forest Conservation - Published 2016
Forest synopsis
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What are 'Individual studies' and 'Actions'?
Individual studies
An individual study is a summary of a specific scientific study, usually taken from a scientific journal, but also from other resources such as reports. It tells you the background context, the action(s) taken and their consequences.
If you want more detail please look at the original reference.
Actions
Each action page focuses on a particular action you could take to benefit wildlife or ecosystems.
It contains brief (150-200 word) descriptions of relevant studies (context, action(s) taken and their consequences) and one or more key messages.
Key messages show the extent and main conclusions of the available evidence. Using links within key messages, you can look at the paragraphs describing each study to get more detail. Each paragraph allows you to assess the quality of the evidence and how relevant it is to your situation.
Where we found no evidence, we have been unable to assess whether or not an intervention is effective or has any harmful impacts.