While reforestation projects are often effective in combatting climate change and restoring biodiversity, they can also endanger particular habitats, such as tropical grasslands. A new study performed by the University of Liverpool uncovers the scope of unsuitable reforestation operations throughout Africa.
According to a study published in the journal Science, forest restoration projects pose a hazard to an area the size of France due to inadequate restoration in the form of tree planting. Researchers examined the tracts of land dedicated to restoration through reforestation and discovered that many initiatives involve non-forest systems. They believe that the most important issue is to include non-forest systems like savannas and grasslands, which are threatened by rising tree cover.
They warn that planting trees in these grassy areas, which are structurally, functionally and compositionally distinct from forests, could be a risk to wildlife such as rhinos and wildebeest, as well as people who depend on these ecosystems.
Non-forest systems such as savannas are misclassified as forest and therefore considered in need of restoration with trees. There is an urgent need to revise definitions so that savannas are not confused with forest because increasing trees is a threat to the integrity and persistence of savannas and grasslands.
Prof. Kate Parr
Kate Parr, Professor of Tropical Ecology at the University’s School of Environmental Sciences and author of the study, said: “Restoration of ecosystems is needed and important, but it must be done in a way that is appropriate to each system.
“Non-forest systems such as savannas are misclassified as forest and therefore considered in need of restoration with trees. There is an urgent need to revise definitions so that savannas are not confused with forest because increasing trees is a threat to the integrity and persistence of savannas and grasslands. Highlighting this issue now means there is still time to negate this threat and ensure that non-forest systems receive appropriate restoration.”
To address these potential issues, reforestation efforts should be carefully planned, taking into account the specific characteristics of the landscape, the needs of local communities, and the conservation goals of the region. Integrated land-use planning that considers multiple ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods, is essential for achieving successful and sustainable reforestation outcomes while minimizing negative impacts on grassland ecosystems.
Dr. Nicola Stevens, Trapnell Research Fellow in African Environments at the University of Oxford and paper co-author, stated: “The urgency of implementing large-scale tree planting is prompting funding of inadequately assessed projects that will most likely have negligible sequestration benefits and cause potential social and ecological harm.”
The study emphasizes that the difficulties addressed are not specific to Africa and that many other non-forest environments, such as wide savannas and grasslands in India and Brazil, may face a similar future as a result of inappropriate ‘restoration’ with trees.
