Scientists caution that poorly planned tree planting efforts in Africa could harm delicate ecosystems.

Scientists have issued a warning that misguided tree-planting initiatives are posing a threat to vital ecosystems in Africa.

Studies have shown that forest restoration efforts in unsuitable landscapes are endangering an area equivalent to the size of France.

The African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative has a goal to reforest 100 million hectares (247 million acres) of land by 2030. However, experts have raised concerns that this initiative may also involve planting trees in non-forest areas like savannahs and grasslands, which could have negative effects on intact ecosystems.

The study revealed that over half of the tree-planting initiatives in Africa are taking place in savannahs, and a majority of those are utilizing non-native tree species. This presents a potential threat of introducing invasive species.

According to the researchers, incorrectly labeling grassy ecosystems such as savannahs as “forests” could result in misguided reforestation efforts and the loss of these long-standing grasslands.

The current definition of forests according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN states that they are land areas of at least 0.5 hectares with trees taller than 5 metres and a tree canopy cover of at least 10%.

According to this description, ecosystems that have trees but are not densely populated, such as savannahs, would still be considered forests and would qualify for reforestation efforts, regardless of their suitability.

Increasing the number of trees in these regions results in an increased canopy cover and reduced light penetration to the ground, potentially altering the grassy landscape of the savannah. This may pose a threat to animals like rhinos and wildebeest, as well as humans who rely on these ecosystems.

The authors stated that we need to take action to prevent the loss of precious grassy systems, as we may become unable to see the bigger picture due to focusing solely on individual trees.

Kate Parr, a researcher in tropical ecology at the University of Liverpool and the author of the research published in the journal Science, stated that the restoration of ecosystems is crucial, but it should be tailored to the specific needs of each system. She also pointed out that non-forest ecosystems like savannahs are often mistakenly classified as forests and are included in restoration efforts involving tree planting.

It is crucial to update definitions in order to avoid confusing savannahs with forests. The growth of trees poses a danger to the survival and stability of savannahs and grasslands.

According to Dr Nicola Stevens, a specialist in African ecosystems at the University of Oxford and a collaborator on the study, there is a pressing need for widespread tree planting. However, the rush to fund such projects may result in insufficient evaluation and ultimately lead to minimal carbon sequestration benefits and potential negative impacts on society and the environment.

Source: theguardian.com