Ecological Restoration: A pathway to Combating Degraded Environment and Forest Ecosystems in Sierra Leone

Ecological restoration is a crucial strategy for addressing climate change and reversing environmental degradation in Sierra Leone. Given the country's rich biodiversity endowment and the increasing threats from deforestation, mining, shifting cultivation, and land degradation, restoration efforts can play a transformative role in rebuilding ecosystems and enhancing resilience in Sierra Leone. This review examines ecological restoration strategies and their implications on the environment and highlights the challenges and drivers of ecological restoration in Sierra Leone. Key ecological restoration projects include Freetown the Tree Town, National Tree Planting, Mine Lands Rehabilitation, Reforestation, Western Area National Park Restoration, National Tree Planting Program & mangrove restoration interventions. Over the past decade, ecological restoration in Sierra Leone has faced challenges because of rampant deforestation, uncontrolled land degradation, biodiversity loss, and massive shifting cultivation practices. These limitations serve as threats to the various ecosystem services and benefits provided by forests and other woodlands in Sierra Leone. Ecological restoration interventions currently undertaken by Sierra Leone have enhanced carbon sequestration, improved water catchment areas, improved ecosystem functions, and conserved biodiversity. The review concludes that community involvement in ecological restoration has the power to reinforce community resilience in Sierra Leone. The review further concludes that ecological restoration practices in Sierra Leone have the tendency to enhance ecosystem services, support rural livelihoods, mitigate climate change, decrease biodiversity loss, and protect catchment areas. This study serves as a baseline for future research on ecological restoration practices and strategies. The article recommends that ecological restoration practices be embedded within various government environmental ministries, agencies, and other international development partners.