Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science

Planting trees helps — but location matters

Restoring forestland could increase carbon sequestration capacity by 20%.

Fermin Koop by Fermin Koop
September 22, 2020
in Environment, Environmental Issues, News, Science

Planting more trees help lower greenhouse gases in the atmosphere as they sequester carbon dioxide during their life. But where you plant them matters as much as the planting itself, according to a new study, which analyzed the actual value of tree planting in the United States.

Credit Flickr Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Researchers and governments have long backed the idea of tree planting as a solution to climate change. A study last year proposed planting a trillion trees to capture two-thirds of the emissions humans produce. The idea was picked up by President Trump, who called this year for a trillion trees to be planted across the globe.

But it turns out there’s more to it than just planting trees and we should consider other factors, according to new research by USDA Forest Service scientists. They found the key behind tree planting is to do it in existing forests that aren’t as tree-filled as they could be. By doing so, humans could increase carbon sequestering capacity by 20%.

To arrive at that estimate, the researchers reviewed publicly available data from more than 130,000 forested plots in the US, which include almost 1.4 million trees. They compared future possibilities with current estimates. Forests currently offset around 14% of carbon emissions every year but that could be increased, they argued.

Almost 33 million hectares of forestland are understocked due to harvesting, natural disturbances, and limited seeding availability, among other factors, the study showed. That’s why concentrating tree planting on understocked forest lands, especially in western states, Florida, and the Northeast, could significantly increase carbon sequestration capacity in the US

“Targeted tree planting on existing productive forestland has the potential to enhance the capacity of forests to provide a multitude of ecosystem services,” according to lead author Grant Domke, lead-author, said in a statement. “Concentrating plantings on productive areas with the fewest trees has greater potential for enhanced carbon sequestration capacity than distributing the same number of trees over larger areas”

In a commentary earlier this year, researchers presented a set of principles that should guide forest enhancement initiatives. Such efforts should focus on protecting and maintaining intact forests instead of planting new ones, they should only be seen as one part of the carbon reduction measures that are needed, and they should balance social and ecological goals.

Planting trees doesn’t ensure they will survive, as seen in many countries. To be successful, tree-planting initiatives need to engage local stakeholders and confront conflicting goals for land use and ensure maximum effectiveness over the long term, the authors write.

The study was published in the journal PNAS.

Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Related posts:
  1. Planting trees isn’t always the best answer to a warmer world, studies agree
  2. Planting trees is not a simple solution to climate change
  3. Trump Forest wants to compensate for the POTUS’ climate policy by planting 100 new billion trees
  4. Planting trees can increase rainfall across Europe — and this is important for climate change
  5. Ethiopia “breaks” tree-planting record: 350 million trees in a day
Tags: climate changetree planting

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW