1Tree planting now dominates political and popular agendas
2and is often presented as an easy answer to the climate crisis,
3as well as a way for business corporations to offset their carbon emissions.
4But unfortunately, tree planting isn't as straightforward as some people think.
5When the wrong trees are planted in the wrong place,
6it can do considerably more damage than good,
7failing to help either people or the environment.
8Reforestation projects are currently being undertaken on a huge scale in many countries
9and it's crucial that the right trees are selected.
10A mix of species should always be planted,
11typical of the local natural forest ecosystem
12and including rare and endangered species in order to create a rich ecosystem.
13It's important to avoid non-native species that could become invasive.
14Invasive species are a significant contributor to the current global biodiversity crisis
15and are often in competition with native species
16and may threaten their long-term survival.
17Restoring biodiversity that will maximise carbon capture is key when reforesting an area,
18but ideally any reforestation project should have several goals.
19These could include selecting trees that can contribute to wildlife conservation,
20improve the availability of food for the local community
21and maintain the stability of soil systems.
22Meeting as many of these goals as possible,
23whilst doing no harm to local communities, native ecosystems and vulnerable species,
24is the sign of a highly successful tree-planting scheme.
25To ensure the survival and resilience of a planted forest,
26it's vital to use tree seeds with appropriate levels of genetic diversity:
27the amount of genetic variation found within a species essential for their survival.
28Using seeds with low genetic diversity generally lowers the resilience of restored forests,
29which can make them vulnerable to disease and unable to adapt to climate change.
30Choosing the right location for reforestation projects is as important as choosing the right trees.
31Ultimately, the best area for planting trees would be in formerly forested areas that are in poor condition.
32It's better to avoid non-forested landscapes such as natural grasslands, savannas or wetlands
33as these ecosystems already contribute greatly to capturing carbon.
34It would also be advantageous to choose an area where trees could provide other benefits,
35such as recreational spaces.
36Reforesting areas which are currently exploited for agriculture should be avoided
37as this often leads to other areas being deforested.
38Large-scale reforestation projects require careful planning.
39Making the right decisions about where to plant trees depends on having the right information.
40Having detailed and up-to-date maps identifying high-priority areas for intervention is essential.
41Drone technology is a useful tool in helping to prioritise and monitor areas of degraded forest for restoration.
42In Brazil, it's being used to identify and quantify how parts of the Amazon are being devastated by human activities
43such as rearing cattle and illegal logging.
44A good example of where the right trees were picked to achieve a restored forest
45is in Lampang Province in Northern Thailand.
46A previously forested site which had been degraded through mining
47was reforested by a cement company together with Chiang Mai University.
48After spreading 60 cm of topsoil,
49they planted 14 different native tree species
50which included several species of fig.
51Figs are a keystone species
52because of the critical role they play in maintaining wildlife populations.
53They are central to tropical reforestation projects
54as they accelerate the speed of the recovery process
55by attracting animals and birds which act as natural seed dispersers.
56This helps to promote diversity through the healthy regrowth of a wide range of plant species.
57Unlike the majority of fruit trees,
58figs bear fruit all year round, providing a reliable food source for many species.
59At this site, for example, after only three rainy seasons,
60monkeys started visiting to eat the fig fruits,
61naturally dispersing seeds through defecation.
62Reforestation projects should always aim to make sure that...
63local communities are consulted and involved in the decision-making process.
64The restoration of mangrove forests in Madagascar
65is an example of a project which has succeeded in creating real benefits for the community.
66Destruction of the mangrove forests had a terrible impact on plant and animal life,
67and also badly affected the fishing industry,
68which was a major source of employment for local people living in coastal areas.
69The reforestation project involved hiring local people to plant and care for the new mangrove trees.
70Millions of mangrove trees have now been planted
71which has resulted in the return of a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
72The mangroves also act as a defence against the increased threat of flooding caused by climate change.
73What's more, the local economy is more stable
74and thousands more Madagascans are now able to send their children to school.
75One other important point...