Forest loss is the leading cause of species extinction and reforestation is another intercession for setting aside this loss.
Reforestation proved potentially beneficial to threatened species. Reforestation is a scientific term because it just not just endeavours to plant trees and protect nature but includes knowledge of the climate, landscaping forms and soil types of the area.
Reforestation is used to improve the quality of human life, rebuild natural habitats and harvesting of resources.
Biodiversity is vital
Biodiversity is the most important and complex feature of our planet and it is vital. It includes a variety of life, its all level and interactions from genes to the ecosystem and encompasses the cultural, ecological and evolutionary processes that endure life.
Biodiversity includes not only endangered species but includes all living organisms that exist in plants ranging from microbes to mammals and all types of ecosystems on the planet such as rainforests, deserts, mountains and coral reefs are all parts of the diverse ecosystem.
Why biodiversity is important?
80% of the needs of the poor population and 40% of the world’s economy are derived from environmental and biological means (resources).
Richest biodiversity results in discoveries related to medicine and other related fields. So, for the richest biodiversity, reforestation is most important.
What is reforestation?
Reforestation is the phenomenon of replanting trees and regenerating forest areas that have been once destroyed due to damage or for the benefit of mankind.
Reforestation also shares the term afforestation. The only difference lies in term is that afforestation means planting trees in an area which was not previously covered with trees.
Forests and trees have the capability to replant the surroundings with diverse plants due to their characteristics of the dispersion of seeds or regrow by propagule.
However, badly degraded forest land cannot be regenerated on its own unless native methods have been applied for planting.
Why reforestation is important?
In order, to save our planet and diverse ecosystem, reforestation is very important. On daily basis, we see huge forest, green cover lands and biological resources has been destroyed and damaged due to various reasons, which includes agricultural needs, human needs, medical needs, mining, logging and first fires.
Impact of reforestation on biodiversity
Afforestation significantly decreases toxic gases from the surrounding nature. Planned reforestation can reduce global warming.
Forests are naturally occurring carbon sinks by removing greenhouse gas from the air. Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and vehicles are absorbed by the forest and trees.
Forests remove around three billion tons of carbon dioxide annually. Therefore, reforestation can decrease global warming.
Impacts on temperature are affected by the forest location. Planting forest trees in tropical climates have more advantages over boreal regions. Tropical deforestation leads go clouds formation which by reflecting the sunlight cause a lowering in temperature.
Reforestation is not only used for the recovery of the destroyed forest but, in some countries like Finland, the afforestation method is used to manage the wood products and paper industry.
In just 20 years, trees plantation in Costa Rica can produce up to about 400 m³ of wood per hectare.
As the natural teak forests of Asia become more scarce or difficult to obtain, the prices commanded by plantation-grown teak grow higher every year. Faster-grower species of trees include pine, Gmelina and eucalyptus.
Reforestation is a significant solution to stopping soil erosion. Making terraces and swales helps in holding water and this is an important base for reforestation.
Reforestation needed
- Trees are the main resource of climate crises and support plants and animals. Forests are vital to business, jobs and health benefits.
- In the US, numerous tree-planting initiatives and partnership programs have been built in response to global reforestation momentum.
- In August 2020, 855 million trees planted and conserved initiative started by the US Chapter of 1t.org, led by American Forests and the Forum, in supporting action. Its role is to conserve, restore and grow 1 trillion trees worldwide by 2030.
- US Forest, capture 15% of the carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel. Reforestation in the US alone proved vital in the prevention of 670,000 cases of asthma and other respiratory orders annually.
- A nationwide bi-partisan movement is building in the US. In the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, volunteers take part in replanting the priceless thorn forest, which once covered this region.
- Across California, public and private partnerships initiatives sprung up to reforest damaged areas like the Camp Fire, by planting those tress species that can withstand future wildfires.
Reforestation around the world
Across the world, people are aware of the power of trees to address climate crises and biodiversity loss. The African nation started the initiative “Great Green Wall” by planting trees across 5000 miles in the Sahara Desert.
In Pakistan, the government pays to plant 10 billion trees.
In 2019, Ireland's government decided to plant 440 million trees by 2040. This decision is made to make Ireland carbon neutral by the end of 2050.
21st March 2016, marked as “International Forest Day,” The General Secretary of the United Nations take action on the depletion of trees and the destruction of forests.
The UN has designed Sustainable Development Goals for the conservation and protection of forests because trees are necessary for the survival of inhabitants.
Change in ecosystem
Afforestation can bring fundamental changes in the structural ecosystem and functioning of nature which includes changes in shadings, nutrient cycles and water balance, which may cause diverse changes in biodiversity and natural balance.
Afforestation affects species composition in all groups. Reforestation results in the disappearing of a few species and the colonization of another habitat.
This diversity occurs due to changes in selected different plant species and management regimens.
It is therefore management is necessary for selecting trees in reforestation, in order to preserve areas with special habitat types and species.
Our beautiful nature full of forests can be a beneficial asset in near future, such as ecotourism, conserving of natural habitats, discovering new medical fields and providing jobs. This is more sustainable for the future.
