Forests around the world have been damaged by human activities. Such degraded forests are often reforested to restore forest ecosystems and their ability to sequester carbon. It is often assumed that forest restoration is associated with positive side-effects for biodiversity, but it has been shown that the effects of reforestation on biodiversity depend on the tree species used. While the expansion of native forests can have a positive impact on biodiversity, afforestation with exotic, non-native tree species can increase forest cover but lead to a decline in biodiversity.
Restoring forests may reduce biodiversity
Forests around the world have been damaged by human activities. Such degraded forests are often reforested to restore forest ecosystems and their ability to sequester carbon. It is often assumed that forest restoration is associated with positive side-effects for biodiversity, but it has been shown that the effects of reforestation on biodiversity depend on the tree species used. While the expansion of native forests can have a positive impact on biodiversity, afforestation with exotic, non-native tree species can increase forest cover but lead to a decline in biodiversity.
Nº 126
- Climate & Atmosphere, Forestry
- AFOLU Emission Reduction
- Afforestation/Reforestation
Restoring forests may reduce biodiversity
Expansion of exotic tree species in southern Chile and highland Ecuador, in an attempt to reforest and sequester carbon, has reduced the ecosystem’s potential to support native biodiversity.
- Cascading (far-reaching effects following each other)
Hall, J.M., Van Holt, T., Daniels, A.E., Balthazar, V. & Lambin, E.F. (2012). Trade-offs between tree cover, carbon storage and floristic biodiversity in reforesting landscapes. Landscape Ecol 27, 1135–1147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-012-9755-y
Hall, J.M., Van Holt, T., Daniels, A.E., Balthazar, V. & Lambin, E.F. (2012). Trade-offs between tree cover, carbon storage and floristic biodiversity in reforesting landscapes. Landscape Ecol 27, 1135–1147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-012-9755-y
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