Planting trees can help reduce carbon, but it may also cause ecological crises! The latest research indicates that large-scale afforestation projects in Africa could mistakenly classify "sparse woodlands" and grasslands as forests, leading to tree planting in these areas. An increase in trees in grasslands may reduce food for herbivores or make them more vulnerable to attacks, affecting the balance of ecosystems.

 

"Misguided" reforestation programmes could threaten vast areas of tropical grasslands.

 

AFR100 stands for the "African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative." Launched at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, this initiative aims to restore 100 million hectares of land in Africa by 2030. The project includes activities such as afforestation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and reducing chemical fertilizers. Over the past seven years, the number of participating countries has increased from 21 to 34, with commitments to action covering 130 million hectares of land.

 

However, a study published in the journal Science in February revealed that up to 52% of the land targeted for tree planting under AFR100's afforestation projects is not classified as forest but rather as sparse woodlands or grasslands. Misdefinition and misclassification could potentially result in a significant number of trees being planted in grasslands, impacting an area exceeding 60 million hectares, larger than the land area of France.

 

The study, co-authored by scholars from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, was primarily led by Professor Kate Parr, an expert in tropical ecosystems at the University of Liverpool. Professor Parr emphasized, "Ecosystem restoration is necessary, but different ecosystems require different approaches."

 

He suggested that it is imperative to promptly correct the definition of forests to avoid confusing sparse woodlands and grasslands with forests. The increase in trees could undermine the ecological integrity of sparse woodlands and grasslands.

 

According to The Guardian, based on the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), land with an area exceeding 0.5 hectares, tree height exceeding 5 meters, and tree canopy cover exceeding 10% meets the definition of "forest." Therefore, sparse woodlands may be classified as forests and become targets for tree planting projects.

 

Sparse woodlands are home to herbivores such as rhinos, antelopes, and giraffes. They must remain vigilant to evade attacks from carnivores. The expansive visibility of grasslands aids in detecting danger and facilitates rapid escape, thereby increasing the chances of survival. Both an excess and a deficiency of trees can significantly impact their survival.

 

Planting trees in sparse woodlands also poses other problems. The canopy blocks sunlight, leading to changes in the ground vegetation. This alteration can result in a decrease in the availability of grass, as well as changes in the types of grasses present, which can have serious consequences for herbivores.

 

The latest research not only highlights the consequences of misclassifying forests but also reveals that up to 60% of the trees planned to be planted under AFR100 are non-native species, which could pose a threat to local ecosystems.

 

"The problem of planting the wrong trees" is not a new issue. According to a 2021 report by Deutsche Welle, Kenya once introduced the Prosopis juliflora tree to reduce dust storms and provide wood for cooking or building animal pens. However, a heavy rainstorm in 1997 caused the rapid spread of Prosopis juliflora, turning it into a dominant invasive species that crowded out native plants and led to food shortages for local wildlife.

 

In response to the scholars' harsh accusations, The Verge reached out to AFR100 for clarification. AFR100 clarified that its plans encompass various types of landscapes, and it is incorrect to consider all promised land as areas earmarked for future tree planting.

 

One of the initiating organizations of AFR100, the World Resources Institute (WRI), also stated that the "vast majority" of AFR100's projects involve agroforestry, which involves planting trees on agricultural land. This practice helps improve soil fertility and conservation while reducing soil erosion. However, Parr countered that planting trees on non-forest land does not qualify as ecological "restoration" according to ecological principles.

 

Social media giant Meta and the Bezos Earth Fund have both provided funding for AFR100. When asked about the question of "planting the wrong trees," the Bezos Earth Fund responded, "We have had a great collaboration with AFR100 and have sponsored over 150 local projects." However, Meta did not respond to media inquiries.

 

Reference materials:

*AFR100 Website

*The Guardian（2024/02/15），Ill-judged tree planting in Africa threatens ecosystems, scientists warn

*Science（2024/02/15），Conflation of reforestation with restoration is widespread

*The Verge（2024/02/16），A Big Tech-backed campaign to plant trees might have taken a wrong turn

*Deutsche Welle（2021/03/25），When planting trees does more harm than good

*University of Liverpool（2024/02/15），‘Misguided’ reforestation programmes could threaten vast areas of tropical grasslands

 

 

Source:
Environmental Information Center