India, April 26 -- Forest restoration scientist Susan Cook-Patton on albedo change due to restoring tree cover and ideal places for climate-positive reforestation
Photo: Bridget Besaw / The Nature Conservancy
Planting trees has been considered a panacea for all environmental challenges, from pollution and biodiversity loss to climate change. But in the last few years, scientists have warned about the dangers of mindless and gimmicky afforestation practices.
Trees indeed provide vital ecological services, but if reforestation is done improperly, it can do more harm than good. Planting the wrong species of tree can kill native flora, harm wildlife populations and deplete groundwater unnecessarily.
Certain reforestation practices by corpor...