Forest restoration can fare better with human helping hand, study shows

Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through Human-Assisted Forest Restoration

In 2002, a large-scale experiment was initiated in the tropical rainforest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, with the aim of exploring the role of tree diversity in the restoration of lowland rainforest. Now, after 21 years, early results from the experiment are shedding light on the potential of human-assisted restoration in accelerating ecosystem recovery. The findings of this study, published in Science Advances, emphasize the importance of greater forest species diversity for restoration efforts and highlight the potential benefits for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Accelerating Ecosystem Recovery through Human-Assisted Restoration

The researchers divided 500 hectares of logged forest in Sabah into 124 equally sized blocks and implemented different restoration approaches in each block. Some blocks were left to natural regeneration, while others were planted with a single tree species, four species, or 16 species. The project, known as the Sabah Biodiversity Experiment (SBE), aimed to answer questions about the impact of initial species diversity on forest restoration outcomes.

The study found that human-assisted restoration led to better results compared to natural regeneration. The plots planted with a higher number of tree species exhibited greater biomass and forest complexity, resembling old-growth forests. The researchers used satellite observations to measure the complexity of the forest canopies and found that the human-planted blocks more closely resembled a tropical forest than the naturally regrown plots.

Importance of Tree Diversity for Ecosystem Services

The study provides evidence that greater forest species diversity, especially in restoration efforts, can deliver more ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration. The researchers quantified their results and found that doubling the number of tree species planted led to an average increase of 12.9 megagrams per hectare in biomass. This suggests that more diverse blocks may store more carbon, highlighting the potential of biodiversity in mitigating CO2 emissions and contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The exact mechanisms behind the positive effects of tree diversity on biomass and forest complexity are still being debated. However, one theory suggests that diverse tree species occupy different niches within the ecosystem, allowing them to coexist and thrive. This reduces competition for resources such as light and water and creates optimal growth conditions for each species. The findings align with global research indicating that greater biodiversity can enhance ecosystem resilience and productivity, contributing to SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Unique Characteristics of Dipterocarps

The study focused on dipterocarp species, which are dominant in Sabah’s rainforests. These tall canopy trees have a unique reproductive strategy characterized by irregular “masting” events and limited seed dispersal ranges. The researchers speculate that the specific biology of dipterocarps may explain why human-assisted reforestation performed better in this case compared to natural regrowth. By adding more dipterocarps to each block, the researchers may have facilitated their return and accelerated the recovery process.

Future Research and Implications

The researchers plan to continue monitoring the forest’s development and assess the survival and growth of the planted trees. They will also utilize remote sensing data, including lidar surveys and satellite imagery, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the changes in the forest over time. This ongoing research, in collaboration with the South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership and supported by the Natural Environment Research Council, will contribute to the knowledge base on forest restoration and inform future restoration strategies.

By demonstrating the positive outcomes of human-assisted forest restoration and the importance of tree diversity, this study aligns with several SDGs, including SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The findings emphasize the potential of restoration efforts in achieving multiple SDGs, including biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable land management.

Banner image: An oriental pied hornbill in Sabah’s rainforest. Hornbills are important seed dispersers in their ecosystems. Image by Andrea Schieber via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Citation:

Veryard, R., Wu, J., O’Brien, M. J., Anthony, R., Both, S., Burslem, D. F., … Hector, A. (2023). Positive effects of tree diversity on tropical forest restoration in a field-scale experiment. Science Advances, 9(37). doi:10.1126/sciadv.adf0938

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 15.2: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Number of countries that have integrated climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

The article discusses the positive effects of human-assisted forest restoration on the recovery of logged forests in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. This is directly connected to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss. The article also mentions the potential for increased carbon sequestration in more diverse forests, which is relevant to SDG 13 on climate action.

Specifically, the article highlights the importance of tree diversity in forest restoration, which aligns with SDG 15.2’s target of promoting the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, restoring degraded forests, and increasing afforestation and reforestation. The article also emphasizes the need to integrate climate change measures into national policies and planning, which relates to SDG 13.2.

The indicators mentioned in the article include forest area as a proportion of total land area, which can be used to measure progress towards SDG 15.2. Additionally, the integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning can be measured by the number of countries that have implemented such measures.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: news.mongabay.com

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