Climate Change: The Importance Of Addressing Myths Around Large-Scale Tree Plantation

Time and again, trees and forests have proved to be the much-needed respite we all need from the consequences of climate change. Across the world, trees are duly recognised for their superpower of sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Large-scale tree plantations can help achieve a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by generating jobs, storing carbon, increasing water table and supplying timber products that ease the strain on wild forests. Over the last 25 years, the global area of planted forests has risen substantially to fulfil rising demand for forest goods and services.

In fact, large-scale tree plantations are likely to grow even more because of their high production, economic profitability, and support to climate change mitigation goals.

Stock Image

Because of the planning and preparation required, large-scale plantations can appear daunting or difficult to achieve. However, if effectively implemented, these plantations have the potential to enhance the lives of millions.

Large-scale plantations

While large-scale plantations can help to mitigate the effects of declining forest cover, it is critical that these initiatives are carried out with the utmost care and expertise in tree planting.

Before we start devising large-scale initiatives, let us remember to make a conscious effort to safeguard our surviving forests. Existing forests are critical for the preservation of carbon supplies, ecological services, and biodiversity. Because of their complex structure and rich mix of species, old growth forests are large long-term carbon sinks, making them more resilient to climate change risks like fire, storms, and drought.

Experts at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew claim that planting the right trees in the right place is a golden rule to ensure a successful large-scale plantation. While planning a large-scale tree plantation programme, it is important to keep in mind the aim of the plantation, temperature, species selection, soil structure, and moisture requirements. It is also important to note that some trees are more susceptible to diseases and pests than others. Native trees are more disease and insect resistant, but how they are planted and where they are placed can have an impact on their overall health.

unsplash

Socio-environmental benefits of trees also need to be considered before commencing plantation. Teak plantations, for example, are praised for creating jobs, generating revenue, and improving environmental services such as clean water and local climate regulation. The best insights on issues affecting tree plantation come from local and tribal communities in any given region. Forests are the lifeline of these people; they rely entirely on trees for existence and nutrition, from food and shelter to livelihood.

Grow-Trees.com

This is why, at Grow-Trees.com, we involve locals and tribals in every step of the plantation process and encourage others to do the same. Local communities are typically responsible for caring for the forest, preparing the area, planting trees, and maintaining the site, all of which helps to broaden local employment and enhance incomes. An efficient strategy to carry out well-planned and sustainable large-scale plantations is to combine scientific knowledge from environmental experts with inputs from locals and tribals.

It is common knowledge that trees are one of the most effective ways to mitigate the effects of climate change, and it is advisable to start plantation initiatives with that goal in mind. We seem to forget, though, that forests are home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, such as tigers and elephants, as well as communities who rely on trees for food, fodder, and other non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Reforestation initiatives should be able to address a variety of objectives that can be met through tree planting. This encompasses species conservation, improved community economic conditions, food security, and soil and water system stability.

In order for afforestation efforts to be effective, significant consideration must be given to the location of the plantation. The greatest place to plant trees is on previously forested terrain that has been degraded. Non-forested landscapes, such as grasslands and wetlands, should be avoided because their own ecosystems already contribute significantly to carbon capture, largely in the soil. The space should be such that the plantation is able to improve wildlife habitats while also providing clean air and shade.

Unsplash

Natural forest regeneration should be utilised whenever possible. This is a great idea if the plantation land is slightly degraded and close to existing forests that can serve as seed sources. Carbon capture in naturally regenerated areas is potentially 40 times greater than in plantations and species richness is generally higher.

It is critical to choose tree seeds with sufficient levels of genetic diversity that are suitable for the local environment or expected climate, consistent with regional genetic variation, to ensure the survival of a large-scale plantation. Seeds with a low genetic diversity can reduce the resilience of restored forests, making them more prone to disease and unable to adapt to climate change.

Large-scale plantations, like many other things, are rife with myths. As an organisation that engages in a variety of afforestation activities, we would like to remind individuals and organisations that planting trees is not a difficult task when all relevant components are considered. The thought of planting millions of trees to save millions of lives is therapeutic, and it is the driving force for our large-scale plantation operations. Forests are essential to life on Earth, and it is everyone's responsibility to safeguard them.

Supriya Patil is an environmental expert with Grow-Trees.com. All views/ opinions expressed in the article are of the author.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.