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Japan Today
01-07-2025
- Science
- Japan Today
Policymakers often ignore forest regeneration in fight against climate change, research finds
A drone views shows fallen trees in a secondary forest where farmers (not pictured) were in the last stages of clearing land as soybean farming expanded in the Amazon, in Santarem, Para state, Brazil. By Stefanie Eschenbacher Naturally-regenerating forests are often ignored by policymakers working to curb climate change even though they hold an untapped potential to rapidly absorb planet-warming carbon from the atmosphere, scientists write in a new research paper. These so-called secondary forests, which have regenerated themselves after being razed, often for agriculture, can help bring the world closer to the net-zero emissions target needed to slow global warming, the research published in the journal Nature Climate Change shows. That is because these young forests, which are made of trees between two and four decades old, can remove carbon from the atmosphere up to eight times faster per hectare than forests that were just planted, they found. It comes as companies worldwide are raising millions of dollars to regrow forests from scratch to generate carbon credits they can sell to polluting industries seeking to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. Secondary forests, on the other hand, are often not allowed to regenerate themselves for long enough to benefit the climate, either because they are cleared or because they fall prey to fires or pests. Across the tropics, they found, only 6% of secondary forests reach two decades of regrowth. "It's a constant cycle of deforestation," said Nathaniel Robinson, one of the authors and a scientist at the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry. He added that their vulnerability "is likely tied to policy loopholes." Robin Chazdon, a research professor at the Forest Research Institute of the University of the Sunshine Coast, in Australia, who was not involved, said the refined evaluation of the global carbon mitigation potential of regrowing forests had important implications that could shape new climate policy. Last week, Reuters revealed how a loophole in the Amazon Soy Moratorium, an agreement signed by the world's top grain traders that they would not buy soy grown on recently deforested land, has allowed Brazilian farmers to market soy grown in razed secondary forests as deforestation-free. The Moratorium, like many conservation policies around the world, protects old-growth rainforests, but not regrown ones. In the Brazilian Amazon, half of secondary forests are cleared within eight years of regrowing, the scientists found. "The most rapid and largest carbon removal comes from these young secondary forests," said Susan Cook-Patton, a reforestation scientist at The Nature Conservancy, and one of the authors. But, she added, these forests "just aren't often appreciated." © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Policymakers often ignore forest regeneration in fight against climate change, research finds
FILE PHOTO: A drone views shows fallen trees in a secondary forest where farmers (not pictured) were in the last stages of clearing land as soybean farming expanded in the Amazon, in Santarem, Para state, Brazil October 6, 2024. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli/File Photo Naturally-regenerating forests are often ignored by policymakers working to curb climate change even though they hold an untapped potential to rapidly absorb planet-warming carbon from the atmosphere, scientists found in a research paper published Tuesday. These so-called secondary forests, which have regenerated themselves after being razed, often for agriculture, can help bring the world closer to the net-zero emissions target needed to slow global warming, the research published in the journal Nature Climate Change shows. That is because these young forests, which are made of trees between two and four decades old, can remove carbon from the atmosphere up to eight times faster per hectare than forests that were just planted, they found. It comes as companies worldwide are raising millions of dollars to regrow forests from scratch to generate carbon credits they can sell to polluting industries seeking to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. Secondary forests, on the other hand, are often not allowed to regenerate themselves for long enough to benefit the climate, either because they are cleared or because they fall prey to fires or pests. Across the tropics, they found, only 6% of secondary forests reach two decades of regrowth. "It's a constant cycle of deforestation," said Nathaniel Robinson, one of the authors and a scientist at the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry. He added that their vulnerability "is likely tied to policy loopholes." Robin Chazdon, a research professor at the Forest Research Institute of the University of the Sunshine Coast, in Australia, who was not involved, said the refined evaluation of the global carbon mitigation potential of regrowing forests had important implications that could shape new climate policy. Last week, Reuters revealed how a loophole in the Amazon Soy Moratorium, an agreement signed by the world's top grain traders that they would not buy soy grown on recently deforested land, has allowed Brazilian farmers to market soy grown in razed secondary forests as deforestation-free. The Moratorium, like many conservation policies around the world, protects old-growth rainforests, but not regrown ones. In the Brazilian Amazon, half of secondary forests are cleared within eight years of regrowing, the scientists found. "The most rapid and largest carbon removal comes from these young secondary forests," said Susan Cook-Patton, a reforestation scientist at The Nature Conservancy, and one of the authors. But, she added, these forests "just aren't often appreciated." REUTERS Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
The Guardian
27-02-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
More than 100,000 African seeds put in Svalbard vault for safekeeping
More than 100,000 seeds from across Africa have been deposited in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the world's repository for specimens intended to preserve crop diversity in the event of disaster. Among the latest additions are seeds critical to building climate resilience, such as the tree Faidherbia albida, which turns nitrogen into ammonia and nitrates, and Cordia africana, the Sudan teak, a tree renowned for its strength and durability. The seeds, from 177 different species, were delivered to the Norwegian vault on Tuesday by Dr Éliane Ubalijoro, the chief executive of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (Cifor-Icraf). 'For me, seeds are about hope,' Ubalijoro said. 'They're about moving beyond survival, particularly when you come from places that have gone through really difficult times. When I think of my country of Rwanda and what happened in 1994, seed banks were critical when it came to rebuilding after the genocide.' Ubalijoro said countries that had experienced disaster and conflict could emerge as leaders in the fight against climate breakdown. 'We understand the urgency,' she said. 'We understand what it is to go through deep despair and having to rebuild completely. It also creates personal stories which people who haven't gone through such collective traumas can relate to. It's this idea of having a seed bank for the planet. How we care collectively for each other, how we care for the biodiversity of our food systems is critical. 'We have areas in Asia, Africa and Latin America that go from drought to wetlands, so there's a huge opportunity to learn from the knowledge of Indigenous peoples to create the resilience we need.' It was also important to nurture environments where native trees could thrive, Ubalijoro said. 'If you plant trees in the wrong area, you risk creating what are called ecological deserts where local pollinators don't recognise or feed on those trees, and that actually decreases biodiversity.' She said recognising the significance of women's roles in agriculture was also important. 'In many countries in Africa, 60% of women or more participate in agriculture. We must ensure the biodiversity that is needed to protect these 'women's crops', and make sure they are prioritised,' she said. 'I'm a mother. I viscerally feel the need to preserve our planet's biodiversity. It's about creating the possibility of a greener, more resilient future together, and making sure the landscapes we cherish today continue to thrive for generations to come.' Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Faidherbia albida An indigenous African tree that is known for its fast growth, Faidherbia albida can reach up to 30 metres tall. It is a much sought-after nitrogen-fixing tree, meaning it converts nitrogen found in the atmosphere into a form that can be used by plants, improving soil health and productivity and helping ecosystems adapt to change. Acacia polyacantha Also known as white thorn, Acacia polyacantha is a flowering tree that can grow to up to 25 metres in height. It has several medicinal uses including for treating snake bites and livestock infections such as salmonella. Its leaves also serve as fodder for cattle. Adansonia digitata The African baobab is the most widespread tree species of the adansonia species group. It is nutrient-rich and high in fibre, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin C. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and its leaves are used to treat kidney and bladder diseases, asthma, diarrhoea and insect bites. Sesbania sesbanSesbania sesban, also known as Egyptian riverhemp, has nitrogen fixation properties, meaning it can help with soil fertility and stabilisation. It is also a food source, with its leaves being used to feed livestock and its seeds fermented into tempeh. Its leaves have antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral properties. Cordia africana A mid-sized, white-flowered evergreen tree, the Sudan teak is a valuable timber species native to Africa and part of the borage family. It is known for its strength, durability and resistance to moisture, decay and pests, and requires little maintenance when used for carpentry. It also bears edible fruit.
