Due to the improvements in air quality and the provision of natural spaces for leisure activities, forests are also quite important to improve the overall quality of life of people. Temple raised a few more important points, some of which have been echoed elsewhere. Land & Water Stories How We Conserve and Restore Forests September 20, 2021 Forests are the lungs of the Earth. But if we dont do much else about climate change, will we just be fueling the fire? Since water scarcity will become an even bigger problem in the future due to global warming, it is crucial that we tackle this issue through reforestation or afforestation. "Afforestation and Reforestation of Walnut Forests in Southern Kyrgyzstan: An Economic Perspective." Who doesnt love a tree or two, even far more the right tree in the right place? According to Urban Forestry Network, they create an environment for other plants, and grow leaves, buds, and wood used by a variety of species. Over time, an afforestation project may need to be maintained depending on its use and aims. As a tree grows, it naturally sequesters CO2 into itself and the soil it grows in. Forests provide most of that carbon-storage opportunity, and The Nature Conservancy has projects around the world that are putting this solution to work. For instance, while many people claim that they want to protect our environment and minimize their ecological footprint, many of them still dispose of their trash in nearby forests. "Historical deforestation locally increased the intensity of hot days in northern mid-latitudes." Thus, afforestation can even lead to a state where the local population might suffer from serious starvation due to a lack of farming space. 7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Afforestation - ConnectUS Environmental Conscience aims to provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the reader. Reforestation is planting trees in areas that are currently forested, but have lost trees due to fire, disease, or clear-cutting for logging operations. According to a study published in the journal Nature Communications, more neutral soil may "improve soil fertility and promote ecosystem productivity.". Forests cover about 30% of the Earths land surface. Carbon Brief. Nature Communications, 7(1), Sept 2016. doi:10.1038/ncomms127178 Cook-Patton S.C., S.M. This publication assesses the pine reforestation investment based on current stumpage prices and associated costs to determine whether it still offers attractive returns. Natural regeneration of forests, on the other hand, has few unintended consequences and large potential to store carbon over the coming decades. Get text updates from The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy was instrumental in helping pass the ". Among them: So while the right kinds and numbers of tree species in the right places have lots of appeal, big questions remain over exactly what can be accomplished by planting one trillion trees and whether it may cause more harm than good. in a warming world? 88-95., doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2017.11.007. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:600px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Forests also provide us with plenty of leisure opportunities. Landslides can be a significant problem, especially for people who live in regions where the soil is relatively unstable. "Large Chinese land carbon sink estimated from atmospheric carbon dioxide data." 1045 words. 38, no. In the south of China, reforestation with monoculturesthat is, just one species of treehas led to loss of biodiversity.7. As we have seen before, there are numerous important benefits from afforestation and reforestation. Although it can be physically exhausting to plant trees, it can also be quite much fun. What is the Difference between Afforestation & Reforestation? Friedlingstein, Pierre, et al., "Global Carbon Budget 2020." Policies to effectively reduce deforestation are discussed within a land rent (von Thnen) framework. Pros: Shifting to paperless will have a significant reduction on the wood and paper production. Other considerations include prevailing winds (if looking to create a wind block) and the direction of sunlight in different seasons. Afforestation programs are working and some goals have already been achieved. But according to The Guardian, Dubai started to become more developed, and the land was bought out. By Starre Vartan Updated November 14, 2022 Fact. Bonn Challenge promoters believe that part of the reason for its success is that, while the forests draw down carbon and provide other environmental benefits, there are also significant economic benefits: for every $1 spent on forest restoration, at least $9 of economic benefits are realized. Nature 585: 545-550, Sept 2020. doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2686-x. But a wide array of experts insist that if we dont also take numerous other actions to address climate change specifically including major cuts in fossil fuel emissions and in particular carbon dioxide we may just be fueling the fire. 49, no. With increasing environmental awareness, a global initiative has been taken to regenerate lost forest hamlets across the world. "How Afforestation Affects the Water Cycle in Drylands: A ProcessBased Comparative Analysis." doi:10.1038/s41558-020-00976-62 Ahrends, Q. Environmental Science & Technology, vol. Forests can, over time, improve topsoil. According to a 2019 study, India and China lead the planet in greening efforts (although China leads with forests and India's is more croplands). For one thing, cumulative emissions from land use and burning fossil fuels were closer to 640 GtC, so removing 200 GtC would represent one-third of historic emissions. Hausfather also pointed to the practical and economic challenges of planting trees on every acre of available land. And of course, forests can provide habitat for wildlife, especially birds and insects, some of which may be a food source for human beings or contribute to the biodiversity of a place. Selecting the right type of tree is imperative, because non-native plants decompose faster than native ones, and therefore, accelerate the release of CO2, according to The Conversation. However, nobody can deny that we need a sufficient number of trees on our planet to preserve the ecological balance and to ensure a livable future for the next generations. "Afforestation Neutralizes Soil Ph." You can make sure these forests survive for future generations. For instance, imagine you own a piece of land that was formerly meant for housing purposes. The ETH Zurich researchers mistakenly considered natural savannas, grasslands, and shrublands as places where forests could be restored. All of these efforts to help the forests that improve our lives can get energized by government engaging with supportive policies and funding. Even though forests are meant to be a natural regeneration space, many people do not care about our nature too much and dispose of their garbage right into our forests. PROS AND CONS OF TROPICAL FOREST RESTORATION/REFORESTATION Tom Geary Forest Scientist, Retired, US Forest Service, USA ThomasGeary@hotmail.com Greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, accumulating in the atmosphere, drive global warming. |. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Currently it has replanted more hectares than any other nation in the world, followed by Vietnam, Turkey, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Argentina, and Sweden (in no particular order). A Skeptical Science article by Dana Nuccitelli, a regular contributor to Yale Climate Connections and an environmental scientist, cites additional studies that have raised several other key points. 23 Mar 2022, 10:27 Kerstine Appunn Carbon farming explained: the pros, the cons and the EU's plans Agriculture Climate neutrality forces all parts of the economy to cut emissions to near-zero, and to capture remaining greenhouse gases in natural sinks, or using technical removal. Pros and Cons - Reforestation Therefore, our forests may no longer be natural conservation areas, but may turn into garbage dumps sooner or later. The ultimate goal of drawing down CO2 from the atmosphere is, of course, to help mitigate climate change. "Global maps of twenty-first century forest carbon fluxes." Panel battles over tree-planting legislation, A trillion trees not enough to fix climate crisis, critics say, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. It is environmental friendly as it reduces the amount of trash. Our World in Data reports that in richer countries, forest cover is generally increasing, whereas in middle- to low-income countries, it's decreasing. Pros and cons of carbon offsetting | The Week UK Examining the Viability of Planting Trees to Help Mitigate Climate 17 Important Pros and Cons of Deforestation - Green Garage In China, for example, an afforestation project was specifically planted to reduce dust storms. (2018). Natural regeneration, on the other hand, does not involve tree-planting.5 Instead, forest managers help damaged forests regrow by letting trees naturally re-seed, and through techniques like coppicing, in which trees are cut down to stumps so new shoots can grow. Frey said that beneficial incentives include that most sales of standing timber can qualify for the lower capital gains tax rates and that there is a special deduction for reforestation expenditures. Carbon capture is usually cited as the primary reason to spend the time and money to commit to afforestation. Over time, the soil was depleted, so now not much will grow there. Salesforce founder Businessman Marc Benioff announced at the meeting that his company will support and mobilize the conservation and restoration of 100 million trees over the next decade.. However, by planting trees, we can avoid landslides to a certain extent since the roots of trees are able to stabilize the soil and landslides become much more unlikely. A nursery spanning over 130,000 square metres was erected, boasting over 30 species of trees. Moreover, you could also collect berries or mushrooms in the forest, which can be plenty of fun, especially if you have kids. 1. By storing carbon in growing trees, and other natural systems such as farms and coastal wetlands, we can accomplish one-third of the emission reductions needed by 2030 to keep global temperature increases below 1.5. Another upside of afforestation is that it can prevent the desertification of large areas of land. (That record was broken by Ethiopia, when it planted 350 million trees in a single day.). However, I will not take any responsibility for incorrect information and will not be liable for any negative consequences that might occur due to the reliance on this information. One of the advantages of deforestation is its being a source of income for farmers who cut down trees to be made into coal and be sold as fuel. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and never miss a story. It is a means of livelihood. Nature Climate Change 11, 234240. Charitable Solicitation Disclosures While many of the country's old-growth forestswhich support biodiversity at greater rates than newer forestshave been destroyed, there have been renewed efforts in recent years to protect forests and add to them. The Nature Conservancy is working with residents ofSt Louis, Denver, Mature shade trees provide the most benefits for our communities. Morris, Sherri J., et al. Pros and Cons - Reforestation. 1145-1156., doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2007.01359.x, Hong, Songbai, et al. In turn, this can lower unemployment rates of the local population and provide them with a higher average income. One of the first large-scale plans is the 2011 Bonn Challenge (supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature), which aims for 350 million hectares (865 million acres) of degraded land to be restored by 2030. Some people may even want to help in reforestation projects, which not only helps with the planting of trees but also provides locals with an additional income source since those tourists have to sleep and eat somewhere. There are three ways to reverse these losses: afforestation, reforestation, and the natural regeneration of forest ecosystems. We need to get our act together so we can better adapt to rising seas, more droughts and wildfires, and unpredictable swings in weather. Please reload the page and try again. Therefore, ecotourism can not only help to plant trees, but can also improve the financial situation of many locals in poor parts of our planet. The, We are also working to prevent the loss of live trees to pests and pathogens, through programs like , In some forests we are combining ecological thinning with a safe reintroduction of fire to. The "Great Green Wall" Didn't Stop Desertification, but it Evolved Into Each year since 2000, forests are estimated to have removed an average of 2 billion metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere. 2, no. Youve already signed up with this email address. According to The Guardian, conservation charities such as The Woodland Trust and landowners are starting to ditch the unsustainable material, opting for cardboard or British wool, after a recent study showed emissions-wise, it would be better to lose a few saplings than to produce and use plastic. Wood is a precious natural material that can be used for a variety of different purposes. Reforestation or afforestation is only the first step in order to sustain and maintain a sufficient number of trees on our planet. Reforestation: Pros, Cons And Effects On Planet Reforestation in a sustainable paradigm is done primarily to restore environmental balance rather than to serve industrial purposes. While afforestation refers to the planting of trees where there havent been any trees before, reforestation means to restock forests that have previously got depleted. The pros and cons of planting trees to address global warming Yale Climate Connections Species & Ecosystems The pros and cons of planting trees to address global warming A campaign to plant one trillion trees made headlines. For example, he wrote, the U.S. produced 5.8 billion gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2019. In this article, the pros and cons of reforestation and afforestation are examined in detail. Global maps of twenty-first century forest carbon fluxes, Historical deforestation locally increased the intensity of hot days in northern mid-latitudes, Large Chinese land carbon sink estimated from atmospheric carbon dioxide data, Opportunities for biodiversity gains under the worlds largest reforestation programme, Mapping carbon accumulation potential from global natural forest regrowth, Yale Climate Connections: "Loss of tropical forests makes climate change worse", Ask MIT Climate: "Why don't we just plant a lot of trees? Afforestation is the process of planting trees in areas devoid of any forest cover (no trees). Numerous other Republican representatives are endorsing the trees effort. Nature Sustainability, vol. Reforestation (occasionally, reafforestation) is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands (forestation) that have been depleted, usually through deforestation but also after clearcutting. However, its achievement diminishes somewhat when the amount is compared to its geographic size. You should realize that our ancestors lived in line with nature for many thousands of years and our genetics evolved according to that. "Mapping carbon accumulation potential from global natural forest regrowth." [P.R. Similarly, reforestation can be considered a form of afforestation. If a duripan (a hard, near-impenetrable surface to the soil) has formed, that needs to be broken up and the soil aerated. 1 Harris, N.L., D.A. Since 1850, about 30% of all CO2 emissions have come from deforestation.3 Deforestation can also have more local climate impacts. (2021). Zastrow, Mark. In serious cases of deforestation, like in the infamous palm oil industry, deforestation can take away the homes of animals such as the orangutan, resulting in increased endangerment. For example, by planting trees in parks, we can provide natural shade for visitors who want to rest on a bench and enjoy the nice summer day but do not want to be exposed to the sun too much due to various health reasons. As a result, not enough water remains to recharge groundwater or flow into rivers and lakes," explained United Nations University researcher Lulu Zhang. From protectingMianus Gorgein 1955 to theCumberland Forest Projectin 2019, The Nature Conservancy has been working with governments, corporations, indigenous peoples, and thousands of partners around the world to protect, restore, and sustainably manage our life-giving forests. Republican lawmakers introduce trillion trees act to combat climate change. Along with the refreshing shade they provide on hot days, trees of course also store carbon, and theyll suck it right out of our fragile atmosphere as they grow. By planting trees, everyone can contribute his or her part to make our planet a little bit more livable and to assure a good future for the next generations. Both reforestation and afforestation may be done when an area has been deforested. Since the planting of trees involves a high level of manual work and manpower, those reforestation projects can also be quite costly. Depending on the quality of the soil and especially the topsoil, some site preparation is usually necessary. "China's Tree-Planting Drive Could Falter in a Warming World." It holds "anywhere from three to 600 tonnes of carbon per hectareyou're never going to get that level of storage within timber plantations," according to Dr. Charlotte Wheeler, a forestry scientist from the University of Edinburgh. Oxford Languages defines "reforestation" as "the process of replanting an area with trees." 9, no. If done worldwide, natural regeneration of forests could capture up to 70 billion tons of carbon in plants and soils between now and 20508an amount equal to around seven years of current industrial emissions. Friday, August 05, 2022. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Tree planting is Trumps politically safe new climate plan. 1 This "carbon sink function" of forests is slowing climate change by reducing the rate at which CO 2, mainly from fossil fuel burning, builds up in the atmosphere. Afforestation projects are happening all over the planet as countries start to understand the benefits of prioritizing tree-planting. its atmosphere -Trees mat not have enough carbon since there. Global destruction of natural resources has been on the rise for countless years and has suffered a total loss of 80 percent of forest . Although forests provide a habitat for many animals and plants, they are also a living space for harmful pests like the bark beetle. As I went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics. "Planting Trees Must Be Done With Care: It Can Create More Problems Than It Addresses." From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet. Reforestation is planting trees where forests have been recently cleared. Top 10 Reforestation Pros & Cons - Summary List Reforestation Pros Reforestation Cons Planting trees is a fun activity Maintenance of forests is costly Air quality improvement Local poverty may increase Restoration of natural habitats Less space for important infrastructure How is reforestation positive for the environment? Careful forest management can therefore be an important strategy to help address climate change in the future. They use 92% of annual rainfall (700mm in a wet year) for biomass growth, leaving only 8% of annual rainfall for human uses. 26, no. Afforestation can be done through tree planting and seeding, naturally or artificially. it starts from sowing the seeds and continues till the trees are completely grown. -It would be useful in a place that has too much CO 2 in -Effects the carbon cycle. Since trees are natural carbon dioxide storage spaces, they can prevent large amounts of carbon to enter our atmosphere. Simply speaking, deforestation is the removal of a forest or a stand of trees for a number of different purposes. 6731-6739., doi:10.1021/es506201r. explanatory Essay. Advantages of Reforestation & Afforestation, Disadvantages of Afforestation & Reforestation, Top 10 Reforestation Pros & Cons Summary List, mitigate global warming and the horrible adverse effects related to it, Personal Brand vs. Corporate Brand: 24 Key Pros & Cons, 24 Key Pros & Cons Of Investing In (Retro) Video Games, 34 Major Pros & Cons Of Investing In Comic Books, Gold Bars vs. Gold Coins: 23 Precious Pros & Cons, 31 Cool Pros & Cons Of Owning A Classic Car, 24 Key Pros & Cons Of Unemployment Benefits, 32 Key Pros & Cons Of Investing In Trading Cards, 30 Precious Pros & Cons Of Investing In Art, Afforestation can lead to social cohesion. So if a company is actually looking to sequester carbon, it's best for them to do ample research, and plant trees that actually grow in said climate. Belizes Maya Forest harbors natural treasures key to biodiversity and climate actiona multisector coalition just helped secure its future. All Rights Reserved. But because the tree species that were planted were ill-suited to a dry climate, this effort has depleted water supplies and degraded soils. Urban planners may look to add more green spaces and plant trees in cities. It is therefore crucial that we sustain those environments. One potentially huge drawback of afforestation is the simple fact that it comes with real opportunity cost, where the transformed lands can no longer be used residential developments and agriculture that are highly beneficial to the society through more supply of food and housing for those who need them. Reforestation is the alteration of a non-forested area to a forested area through tree planting and seeding. At the same time, the production, storage, and transport of food contribute to climate change. Tundra and boreal regions unpopulated by trees play an important global role in reflecting energy from the sun back into space. 32693340., doi:10.5194/essd-12-3269-2020, Humpender, Florian, et al. If we follow the paper's recommendations, reforesting an area the size of the United States and Canada combined (1 to 2 billion hectares) could take between one and two thousand years, assuming we plant a million hectares a year and that each hectare contains at least 50 to 100 . Land-Use and Carbon Cycle Responses to Moderate Climate Change: Implications for Land-Based Mitigation? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afforestation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reforestation, https://www.reforestaction.com/en/our-reforestation-projects. But we can only reap these rewards if we start well-planned reforestation right away. However, in some regions, it will be rather hard to find those people and therefore, reforestation projects may actually fail since those forests will be destroyed by pests sooner or later. Moreover, also the charcoal for your barbecue comes from wood as a raw material. Natural regeneration is defined as "the planting of native trees in an attempt to restore an area to what resembles a natural forest," but other forms of afforestation include commercial plantations and agroforestry. Land Degradation & Development, vol. Trees also accumulate carbon, which they take from the atmosphere as they grow. Reforestation: Pros, Cons And Effects On Planet Reforestation has far-reaching benefits, from enhancing ecosystem services to fostering a more sustainable future. Over the past few weeks, chatter has picked up that planting trees is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to combating climate change. That's why heavily wooded areas tend to be cooler, according to Trees and Energy Conservation, because trees provide an evaporative effect as well as shade which can lower the air temperatures by several degrees Fahrenheit. Leavitt, D. Gibbs, N.L. In addition, research has shown that forests can improve water quality (primarily through reducing runoff into streams), so cleaner water may be a strong motivation for afforestation in some areas. Thats equal to one-third of all the carbon that humans have emitted into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide pollution, the authors claimed. In the dry northern part of the country, people have planted trees to fight desert expansion. According to Penn State Extension, trees extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and when they die, they release CO2, methane, and other greenhouse gases. 1 trillion trees: What would it take, how would it work, and is it even worth it? Why is the protection of this Amazon Rainforest important? What She holds an MFA degree from Columbia University and Geology and English degrees from Syracuse University. In the next step, someone has to take care of the proper maintenance of those forests. Estimates of the amount of CO2 removed from the atmosphere for various afforestation projects vary, but a study that looked at large-scale afforestation potential found that it couldremove more than 191 gigatons of carbon by 2100 (current annual emissions of carbon are about 36 gigatons per year). Afforestation is important to solve the problem of imbalance in the ecology, global warming, soil erosion, greenhouse effect etc. Nary a soul, one suspects, whether of conventional tree hugger category or rabid climate science detractor. Especially in areas where space is rather confined, big reforestation projects may even prevent large construction projects that would have been meant to provide more housing space for the local population. Thus, a certain level of nature activities may also be quite beneficial for your mental health since we all have an inner connection with nature and planting a tree is definitely a part of those valuable natural experiences. This is also true in the area of traveling. Therefore, especially in regions that suffer from water scarcity, forests are crucial in order to maintain a certain minimum level of groundwater which the local population can use as drinking water in order to survive. And in many ways it could be all of those. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Listen to this episode of MIT's "Today I Learned: Climate" podcast on planting forests as a climate solution. Sounds simple enough, but is it working? 29, 2018, pp. Therefore, if there isn't enough planning and sites aren't properly maintained, it can lead to the death of trees and ultimately the release of carbon. If large forest areas have been cut or burned down, we should use reforestation in order to restore those natural habitats so that animals and plants can relocate in order to maintain the natural balance between the local flora and fauna and us humans. In turn, farmers will produce lower crop yields. In many cases, our youth loses the connection to nature, especially you live in big cities instead of in rural areas.