NEWS
Scientists address myths over large-scale tree planting
Helen Briggs
Current Address : BBC Science correspondent Reprinted From : http :// bbc . in / 3qnogw2
Tree planting is a brilliant solution to tackle climate change and protect biodiversity , but the wrong tree in the wrong place can do more harm than good , say experts at the Royal Botanic Gardens , Kew .
The rules include protecting existing forests first and involving locals . Forests are essential to life on Earth .
They provide a home to three-quarters of the world ' s plants and animals , soak up carbon dioxide , and provide food , fuels and medicines .
But they ' re fast disappearing ; an area about the size of Denmark of pristine tropical forest is lost every year .
" Planting the right trees in the right place must be a top priority for all nations as we face a crucial decade for ensuring the future of our planet ," said Dr Paul Smith , a researcher on the study and secretary-general of conservation charity , Botanic Gardens Conservation International , in Kew .
A raft of ambitious tree-planting projects is underway around the world to replace the forests being lost .
Boris Johnson has said he is aiming to plant 30,000 hectares ( 300 sq km ) of new forest a year across the UK by the end of this parliament .
An African-led movement to plant a 5,000-mile ( 8,048 km ) forest wall to fight the climate crisis is set to become the largest living structure on Earth , three times the size of the Great Barrier Reef .
However , planting trees is highly complex , with no universal easy solution .
" If you plant the wrong trees in the wrong place you could be doing more harm than good ," said lead researcher Dr Kate Hardwick of RBG Kew .
All too often natural forests teeming with plants , animals and fungi are replaced by commercial plantations with row upon row of timber trees , which will be harvested after a few decades , she told BBC News .
" What we ' re trying to do is to encourage people , wherever possible , to try and recreate forests which are similar to the natural forests and which provide multiple benefits to people , the environment and to nature as well as capturing carbon ."
The review of research , published in the
Figure 1 : Trees must be able to cope with projected climate change ( Photo : ALEXANTONELLIRBGKEW )
Grassroots Vol 21 No 1 March 2021 16