The Trouble with Trees: Afforestation Plans for Africa

William J Bond; Nicola Stevens; Guy F Midgley; Caroline E R Lehmann

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2019.08.003

The Trouble with Trees: Afforestation Plans for Africa

Trends Ecol Evol. 2019 Nov;34(11):963-965. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.08.003. Epub 2019 Sep 9.

Authors

William J Bond¹, Nicola Stevens², Guy F Midgley², Caroline E R Lehmann³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, South Africa. Electronic address: william.bond@uct.ac.za.
² Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
³ Tropical Diversity, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK; School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK; Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa.

PMID: 31515117
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.08.003

Abstract

Extensive tree planting is widely promoted for reducing atmospheric CO₂. In Africa, 1 million km², mostly of grassy biomes, have been targeted for 'restoration' by 2030. The target is based on the erroneous assumption that these biomes are deforested and degraded. We discuss the pros and cons of exporting fossil fuel emission problems to Africa.

Keywords: afforestation; carbon sequestration; savannas.

MeSH terms

Africa
Carbon
Ecosystem*
Poaceae
Trees*

Substances

Carbon