ERIP 6 - Task 1

Selection and Implementation of Restoration Interventions

Task 1: What is spatial planning and why does it matter for restoration?

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What is spatial planning and why does it matter for restoration?

Spatial planning refers to the process of identifying, organizing, and managing land and sea use across geographic areas to balance social, economic, and environmental objectives. For restoration, effective spatial planning helps ensure that interventions happen in the right places, maximize benefits, and avoid unintended conflicts or negative impacts.

Why Use Spatial Planning for Restoration?

How Spatial Planning Processes Support Restoration Success

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Spatial planning can help you: In many contexts, spatial planning may already be required by law — through national development plans, marine spatial plans, forest management plans, or biodiversity strategies. Understanding these existing processes (and where restoration can fit in) is the first step toward smart, successful implementation.

Align

Optimize

Identify

Promote

Avoid

Spatial planning for restoration typically involves several key steps:1. Analyzing Context and Objectives

• Understand existing land and sea uses, biodiversity conditions, climate risks, and social dynamics. Clarify the main goals of your restoration efforts within this broader context.

2. Mapping Existing Conditions

• Use GIS data, biodiversity maps, land use records, and stakeholder knowledge to create an accurate picture of current conditions. Include:
• Vegetation cover and land use types.
• Ecosystem services.
• Threats and pressures.
• Tenure and governance arrangements.

3. Defining Priorities and Aligning Plans

• Overlay ecological data with social and economic considerations. Identify areas where restoration is most needed and feasible — and where it can best contribute to national development plans, biodiversity strategies, or climate action commitments.

4. Engaging Stakeholders Across Sectors

• Effective spatial planning requires inputs from multiple sectors: forestry, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, and local communities. Ensure that the planning process includes the voices of those who rely on or impact the landscape.

• Does your country have spatial planning processes that could help guide where and how restoration happens?

• Are key stakeholders from across relevant sectors involved in these processes?

• How might spatial planning help clarify your restoration priorities and avoid conflicts?

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What is spatial planning and why does it matter for restoration?