What is Reforestation? – Learn Everything About It
Much is said about the subject, but what is reforestation? It means replanting action in areas that have suffered degradation – natural or human. It is through this action that it is expected to recover the soil and the forests.
Reforestation is important to revive an area already considered dead. It’s a light at the end of the tunnel for destroyed natural regions. It is important to try to recover the fauna, flora and improve the quality of life for everyone. After all, it is necessary to remember the importance of forests for humanity.
Through this process, we try to reduce the impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming. In addition, the recovery of certain regions results in the return of riverside communities and even indigenous peoples.
There are reforestations for ecological purposes, in an attempt to preserve the native forest. And commercial type reforestation, where the trees are used for papermaking and in the lumber market.
Redda+ includes reforestation in its projects to help offset carbon and preserve nature. Read more about what reforestation is and how Redda+ participates in this action.
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What is Reforestation?
Reforestation is an action to recover an area that has suffered some degradation or destruction. Environmental degradation can be of natural origin, due to storms, droughts, etc., or of human origin, as a result of fires, deforestation, etc.
Through reforestation, it is possible not only to recover a destroyed area but also to create a protection zone. For example, if a part of the forest is burned, instead of leaving this part with nothing, reforest. It is a way to avoid the possession of this land and the increase of destroyed areas.
In Brazil
In Brazil, in 2017, Porveg, the National Policy for the Recovery of Native Vegetation, was made official, responsible for inspecting, articulating and integrating actions for the recovery of forests. By 2030, there is a commitment to try to recover up to 12 million hectares of native vegetation.
Reforestation generates several impacts, from the preservation of the environment to the generation of jobs. Some of the purposes of reforestation are:
- resurrect the soil: reforestation is an attempt to regenerate nature. Through it, it is expected to reverse the loss of soil fertility;
- ecosystem recovery: despite the destruction, it is still possible to transform the place to restore biodiversity;
- reverse soil erosion;
- create legal environments for deforestation. Some reforestation is thought to decrease illegal deforestation activities.
There are still other reasons to carry out reforestation. Regardless of the reason, it is necessary to understand the importance of applying reforestation in a sustainable way. Therefore, the specific data of the region that will receive the plantations need to be updated. Some of these data inform the type of soil, the type of native fauna and flora, and the climate of the region. Making the choice of plantations more productive.
That is why it is possible to say that reforestation is much more than just planting a tree. It is about investing in a regeneration designed to save depleted and/or devastated green areas, without denying their complexities. Respecting the species diversity of the place that will receive the reforestation action.
Types of Reforestation
To understand what reforestation is, it is also necessary to understand that there are different types. In addition, it can happen in rural and even urban areas.
In the case of urban areas, reforestation is usually linked to air quality, dealing with the high level of pollution from cars. It also helps to temper the climate, offering a little more freshness to cities with so many buildings and cement. In addition to being a great option to beautify the city.
In rural areas, reforestation tends to be divided into ecological and commercial.
Ecological
Ecological reforestation is designed for the regeneration of a green area that has suffered degradation and needs to be restored. The planting intervention aims to restore the biodiversity of the area, as well as the replacement of what was removed. Therefore, it is possible to say that ecological reforestation is also a process of nature conservation.
In some cases, reforestation takes place and the area gains extra protection through public policies. Ecological reforestation requires firm execution plans, with all the necessary data to maintain the variety of the native forest, which is extremely important.
By identifying native characteristics, reforestation tends to be more successful. This is because the plants introduced by man adapt better, including helping to attract native animals. In addition, the planting of fruit species is indicated for this attraction to occur. All this relationship helps in the growth of the area that is undergoing reforestation.
Commercial
Commercial reforestation aims to reduce the negative impacts of the use of natural resources in industrial products. It is a way of dealing with illegal logging, creating space for commercial purposes.
Reforestation takes place in areas authorized for planting trees that will be used in the production of paper or wood, for example.
In this way, companies are responsible for maintaining the area and carrying out reforestation. It’s like a ‘breeder’ of trees to become commercial products. In fact, some areas are used to capture greenhouse gases and sell carbon credits.
In Brazil, commercial reforestation takes place with eucalyptus and pine trees, in addition to other species in smaller numbers.
What is Afforestation?
Afforestation is the action of planting in areas that, for a period of at least 50 years, have not been forested. Basically, reforestation deals with the almost emergency recovery from impacts caused by nature or man. While afforestation is done in areas that have been without vegetation for a long time.
Afforestation, like reforestation, needs a management plan, a detailed study of the area that will receive the vegetation.
Why Reforest?
One way to know in-depth what is reforestation is to know the importance of this action.
Reforesting helps nature to regenerate itself. In addition, it is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming. Finally, reforestation is an attempt to preserve nature and keep the environment’s life cycle healthy.
Reforested areas increase the potential for soil quality, prevent erosion and help regulate climate change. They help to rebalance the local ecosystem and also contribute to the well-being of communities living in the surroundings.
Click here to learn more about what is the difference between the greenhouse effect and global warming.
The role of forests in carbon emissions
Well-preserved forests help absorb carbon. Therefore, deforestation is dangerous, as it increases the level of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Reforestation not only helps in the recovery of forests but also helps to balance the absorption and emission of carbon.
The role of forests in curbing global warming
The forests “kidnap” CO2, through the trees and their ecosystems, helping to reduce the emission of CO2. Carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases, its excess emission is a big problem. The high concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere prevents the maintenance of an adequate average temperature for the Earth.
Therefore, forests have a direct and indirect relationship in curbing global warming.
To top it off, the increase in fires influences global warming, even more, generating more CO2 and methane (CH4) emissions. Finally, there are areas being cleared for cattle ranching that generates even more CH4, the second most emitted greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.
Finally, the balance in the life cycle of forests and reforestation help to stop global warming.
The forest as home to the riverside people
The forest is not only home to animals and plants, it is also home to riverside dwellers.
The riverside peoples depend on a balanced relationship with the forest, it is where they get their food and earn their bread. Therefore, it is important to also think about these residents.
When carrying out reforestation, riparian peoples must also be considered. In addition to living in the forest, they also help to preserve nature.
Find out how Redda+ and you can help
Redda+ is an organization that understands the importance of reforestation for the preservation and conservation of nature. Through specific projects, Redda+ develops support to offset carbon emissions and care for the forest.
Among its projects, one is being developed in Portel, Pará. The proposal is to support the riverine peoples of this region to sustainably relate to the forest and their daily needs. Creating, in this way, a sustainable city, where economic and social development does not ignore the relationship with the environment. On the contrary, it understands the need for an integrated relationship.
Redda+ projects are developed based on REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) mechanisms. The area of operation is the Amazon region. Redda+ actions are also supported by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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