Afforestation with fast-growing tree species increases carbon sequestration and can help mitigate climate change. However, fast-growing trees can become invasive species that threaten fragile ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and forest degradation.
Invasive risks of fast-growing tree afforestation
Afforestation with fast-growing tree species increases carbon sequestration and can help mitigate climate change. However, fast-growing trees can become invasive species that threaten fragile ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and forest degradation.
Nº 129
1) Europe, Ireland
2) Europe, Central Europe (including Hungary, Poland, Germany)
- Climate & Atmosphere
- AFOLU Emission Reduction
- Afforestation/Reforestation
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made
Invasive risks of fast-growing tree afforestation
1) Ireland has a notoriously low tree cover. At only around eleven per cent, it is well below the EU average of thirty per cent. In response to this situation, a policy of afforestation has been introduced. This model of afforestation often involves the use of fast-growing non-native conifers, mainly planted on marginal land. While this appears to be a way of increasing carbon sequestration, its potential is limited, while at the same time causing ecological damage in many ways. The monoculture planting of Sitka spruce reduces biodiversity and often damages native forests, and both fertiliser and pesticides are used to encourage the growth of these trees. Clear-cutting trees to grow more stems releases acidic sulphate that can pollute water downstream. In addition, the carbon stored in the peatlands and marginal grasslands used to establish Sitka spruce plantations can be released into the atmosphere when these systems are disturbed, significantly reducing the net carbon sequestration potential of such campaigns.
2) Robinia Pseudoacacia has been used in afforestation projects in several Central European countries, but it has become established as an invasive species, threatening (semi-)dry grasslands that are rich in biodiversity. In the absence of natural enemies, monocultures of R. pseudoacacia can develop, although the impact on biodiversity is context dependent.
- Frustrated the efforts to address the initial problem
- Cascading (far-reaching effects following each other)
1) Colwell, M. (2018, October 10). A forestry boom is turning Ireland into an ecological dead zone. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/10/trees-ireland-biodiversity-sitka-birds-extinction
Murphy, D. (2018, June 19). Ireland’s native woodlands are quietly disappearing. The Irish Times. https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/ireland-s-native-woodlands-are-quietly-disappearing-1.3529317
Sargent, N. (2020, October 25). Ireland’s tree-planting policies are bad news for biodiversity. The Journal.ie. https://www.thejournal.ie/spruced-up-pt1-5241271-Oct2020/
2) Vitkova, M., Müllerová, J., Sádlo, J., Pergl, J., Pyšek, P. (2017). Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) beloved and despised: A story of an invasive tree in Central Europe. Forest Ecology and Management, 384, 287-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2016.10.057
Vitkova, M., Müllerová, J., Sádlo, J., Pergl, J., Pyšek, P. (2017). Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) beloved and despised: A story of an invasive tree in Central Europe. Forest Ecology and Management, 384, 287-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2016.10.057
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