1 Carbon farming via assisted natural regeneration as a cost-effective mechanism for restoring 2 biodiversity in agricultural landscapes 3 Megan C. Evansa*, Josie Carwardineb,c, Rod J. Fenshamc,d, Don W. Butlerd, Kerrie A. Wilsonc, Hugh P. 4 Possinghamc.e, and Tara G. Martinb,c 5 a The Australian National University, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Canberra, Australian 6 Capital Territory 0200, Australia 7 b,CSIRO Land and Water, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Queensland 4102, Australia 8 c The University of Queensland, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, School of Biological 9 Sciences, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia 10 d Queensland Herbarium, Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Mt. 11 Coot-tha Road, Brisbane, Queensland 4068, Australia 12 e Imperial College London, Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park, Ascot SL5 7PY, Berkshire, 13 England, UK 14 *Corresponding Author 15 Email:
[email protected] 16 Address: Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and 17 Environment, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia 18 Abstract 19 Carbon farming in agricultural landscapes may provide a cost-effective mechanism for offsetting carbon 20 emissions while delivering co-benefits for biodiversity through ecosystem restoration. Reforestation of 21 landscapes using native tree and shrub species, termed environmental plantings, has been recognized as a 22 carbon offset methodology which can contribute to biodiversity conservation as well as climate 23 mitigation. However, far less attention has been paid to the potential for assisted natural regeneration in 24 areas of low to intermediate levels of degradation, where regenerative capacity still remains and little 25 intervention would be required to restore native vegetation.