ALSO YOU CAN LISTEN ON
Welcome to YourForest Podcast, where we explore the vital connections between environmental science, sustainability, and the essential role of forests. In this episode, host Matthew Kristoff is joined by Lauren Oakes, scientist, storyteller, and author of Tree Keepers: The Race for a Forested Future. Lauren shares her insights into the global movement for reforestation, unpacking the nuanced debate about planting trees, conserving forests, and integrating them into human and ecological systems.
Lauren’s journey from a childhood fascination with trees to her work as a scientist and writer has equipped her to examine the challenges of using forests to address climate change. This episode dives into the complexities of reforestation, from local stewardship to global climate strategies, and the powerful role we all play as tree keepers.
Key Takeaways
Planting Trees vs. Planting Forests: Lauren explains the difference between individual tree planting and creating resilient, biodiverse forests that sustain ecosystems and provide long-term benefits for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and human well-being.
Economic Viability and Local Involvement: For reforestation projects to succeed, they must align with the economic and social needs of local communities. Collaborative approaches and economic incentives are key to sustaining these initiatives.
Beyond Carbon: While trees sequester carbon, their benefits extend to biodiversity, water regulation, and human health. Reforestation efforts must consider all these values for a holistic impact.
Reforestation Challenges and Opportunities: From funding gaps to ensuring tree survival, Lauren highlights the challenges of reforestation projects while showcasing innovative solutions like agroforestry and community-driven restoration.
Action at All Levels: Whether through global commitments like the Trillion Trees initiative or individual efforts in urban and rural areas, everyone has a role to play in becoming a tree keeper.
Follow Guest
SPONSORS
Quotes:
[00:11:42-00:12:25] Lauren Oakes: “Planting is one tiny piece of the puzzle, at the heart of it all is you need an economic incentive or a personal incentive at the local level for the people living in and around those trees or those forests to sustain them.”
[00:55:51-00:56:21] Lauren Oakes: “We are all tree keepers in some way. We can also think about the nature in our backyards and in our communities, the green spaces and forests and trees, and how to be better stewards of them in our communities”
[01:06:05-01:06:29] Matthew Kristoff: “Our brains, our society has forced us to value everything in dollars. So if we can value nature in dollars, all of a sudden it computes. And then when you can put a dollar value to it, you're like, oh, I see and start to think about it a little bit more”
Takeaways
[00:04:30] – Introduction to Lauren Oakes
Lauren Oakes shares her journey from a fascination with trees as a child to becoming a scientist, storyteller, and author. She highlights her dedication to bridging science and storytelling to inspire action on environmental issues, emphasizing her commitment to sustainable land-use practices and exploring the global complexities of tree conservation.
[00:07:34] – Why the World is Turning to Trees
Lauren and Matthew discuss the growing global focus on tree planting as a climate solution. They explore controversies surrounding reforestation, including misconceptions, oversimplified approaches, and the need for nuanced perspectives that address carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and long-term forest management for a sustainable planet.
[00:11:08] – Planting Trees vs. Restoring Forests
Lauren explains the critical difference between planting trees and restoring ecosystems. She emphasizes that tree planting is just the first step, with long-term success depending on the creation of biodiverse, resilient forests that require proper stewardship, economic incentives, and a focus on ecosystem integration rather than isolated efforts.
[00:20:08] – The Global Forest Landscape: Then and Now
Lauren examines the historical loss of forest cover, citing studies that show the earth’s tree population has halved since human civilization began. She explores the potential for reforestation in degraded areas and highlights the importance of protecting existing intact forests for their unparalleled ecological value.
[00:30:30] – Reforestation in the Right Places
Lauren stresses the importance of planting trees in the appropriate locations to maximize their benefits. She warns against planting in unsuitable areas, such as native grasslands, and highlights how local economic, cultural, and environmental contexts should guide reforestation efforts to ensure sustainability and resilience.
[00:33:36] – Indigenous Knowledge and Forest Stewardship
Lauren highlights the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge into forest management. She discusses how traditional practices like cultural burns and local stewardship are yielding significant success in conserving biodiversity and fostering resilient ecosystems, making Indigenous communities pivotal to global reforestation efforts.
[00:45:18] – Sustainable Relationships with Forests
The discussion focuses on fostering diverse relationships with forests and balancing conservation with sustainable use. Whether through urban trees, agroforestry, or timber plantations, Lauren emphasizes the need for multi-functional forest management strategies that integrate human activity while maintaining ecological health and resilience.
[00:51:18] – Maximizing Forest Value Beyond Carbon
Lauren explains that forests provide benefits beyond carbon sequestration, including biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and community well-being. She advocates for holistic forest management approaches that consider all these values to create a more comprehensive, long-term impact.
[01:08:40] – Bridging the Funding Gap for Reforestation
Lauren highlights the financial challenges of global reforestation, including a significant funding gap. She explores the role of public funding, carbon credits, and private investments in scaling up reforestation efforts, emphasizing the need for innovative economic mechanisms to support global restoration goals.
[01:16:21] – The Role of Local Communities in Reforestation
Lauren discusses the importance of local stewardship in reforestation projects. She argues that success depends on integrating tree planting into local cultures, economies, and land-use practices. Grassroots involvement ensures long-term sustainability, fostering a stronger sense of community ownership and responsibility.
[01:19:53] – Final Reflections: Can We Do It?
In her closing thoughts, Lauren expresses optimism about reforestation as a critical tool for combating climate change. She underscores the need for collaborative, thoughtful, and localized approaches to restoring forests and encourages listeners to see themselves as tree keepers, contributing to a greener future.
ARTICLE
Why Planting Trees Alone Can't Create Healthy Forest Ecosystems
Forests are more than a collection of trees. They are living ecosystems that support biodiversity, regulate the climate, and store carbon. In recent years, tree planting campaigns have gained attention as a simple solution to fight climate change.
However, planting trees alone cannot create healthy forest ecosystems. True solutions require care, long-term management, and community involvement.
Lauren Oakes, an ecologist and author of Tree Keepers: The Race for a Forested Future, emphasizes that forests thrive when treated as ecosystems, not just collections of trees. Her research highlights that forests need support to grow sustainably, especially in a changing climate.
In this article, we'll explore why forests need more than tree-planting campaigns to survive and grow. You'll learn how biodiversity strengthens forests, why local support matters, and the economic challenges of large-scale reforestation.
We'll also cover simple ways individuals and communities can help—such as planting native species and joining local tree-care projects.
Why Planting Trees Alone Can't Create Healthy Forest Ecosystems
Planting trees may seem like an easy way to help the environment. However, real climate solutions need more than planting—growing and managing healthy forests.
A tree alone can provide benefits, but its long-term impact depends on care and maintenance. Without it, those benefits—like storing carbon and providing shade—may not last.
What's the Difference between Trees vs. Forests?
A single tree offers value, but forests are entire ecosystems made up of:
Diverse species of plants and animals.
Rich, organic soil that supports plant growth.
Multiple layers of vegetation, from tall trees to small shrubs.
Forests come in many types:
Urban forests: City trees that cool the air, improve well-being, and beautify neighborhoods.
Timber plantations: Managed areas for growing trees for wood.
Restored forests: Areas where native trees are replanted to resemble natural forests.
Reforestation restores areas that were recently deforested. Afforestation creates new forests in areas without recent tree cover. Both methods help, but they must be done thoughtfully.
Why Tree Care Matters
Planting a tree is just the first step. Trees need consistent care to grow and provide benefits. For example, urban trees reduce heat in cities but need watering, pruning, and protection.
Well-maintained urban areas can be up to 20°F cooler than those without tree cover. In some neighborhoods, this cooling effect can significantly reduce energy costs.
Tree Equity and Its Impact on Healthy Forest Ecosystems
Tree equity ensures every community has access to the benefits trees bring. Wealthier areas tend to have more trees and the resources to maintain them.
Lower-income areas often have fewer trees and less support for new plantings. This imbalance means some communities face more heat and higher energy costs.
Building Resilient Forests
The goal isn't just to plant trees—it's to create ecosystems that thrive independently. Healthy forests have a mix of old and young trees, providing homes for different wildlife and supporting natural growth cycles. Forests need to be managed so they can regenerate naturally and stay resilient.
Planting trees alone won't solve the climate crisis. Instead, we must focus on growing and managing forests that support the planet and future generations.
Current Forest Cover and Opportunities to Restore Healthy Forest Ecosystems
The Earth has lost nearly half its forests. Scientists believe planting one trillion trees in suitable areas could cover 2.2 billion acres and store 200 gigatons of carbon dioxide.
However, reducing carbon emissions remains key. Protecting and nurturing current forests is just as important as planting new ones.
Forest Loss and Growth Across Regions
Forest changes vary across different regions:
Tropical areas (like the Amazon and Congo) lose large amounts of forest due to farming and development.
Countries with "high forest, low deforestation" (like Suriname) still have large forests with slower loss rates.
Temperate and boreal areas have space for potential reforestation due to past land disturbances.
New forests in some areas cannot replace losses in tropical rainforests. Different forests provide different benefits, like biodiversity and carbon storage.
Learning from The Carboniferous Period
Millions of years ago, the Carboniferous period had the highest forest cover in Earth's history. Massive tree growth during that time created the coal deposits we mine today.
This shows how much carbon forests can store over long periods. However, burning coal from ancient forests has released this stored carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Where Should New Forests Grow?
Choosing where to grow new forests depends on local needs and conditions. The best areas for new forests include:
Urban spaces: Repurposing unused paved areas into green spaces can help improve air quality and lower temperatures.
Degraded farmland: In places like Panama, areas used for cattle grazing have been reforested to improve the land and support local communities.
Reforestation efforts work best when they align with community goals. Successful projects often provide economic benefits, such as jobs for growing and selling seedlings or earning income from carbon credits.
Strengthening Existing Forests
Protecting existing forests stores 60% of potential carbon, while 40% comes from planting new trees. Letting forests grow naturally increases carbon absorption.
Effective restoration involves planting trees in the right places and ensuring they thrive. Sustainable forest management creates healthier ecosystems that benefit the planet and local communities.
Why Local Support and Forest Diversity Are Vital for Healthy Forest Ecosystems
The challenge in some areas isn't tree numbers but a lack of variety. For instance, Canada's prairie forests have become dense and uniform, making them vulnerable to disease and fires.
Healthy forests need a mix of tree species and ages to grow strong. In tropical regions, restoring biodiversity is essential, while on farmlands, trees improve soil and offer extra income through fruit or carbon credits.
The Real Costs of Establishing Healthy Forest Ecosystems
Planting a tree is just the first step. Young trees need consistent care, including watering, protection from pests, and regular monitoring during their early years.
Without proper care, trees may die before offering benefits like shade or carbon storage. Successful reforestation requires stable funding and local support to help forests grow and thrive.
Different Forests Serve Different Purposes
Forests offer various benefits depending on their type and location:
Urban forests provide shade, clean the air, and reduce city temperatures.
Carbon farms use fast-growing species to capture carbon quickly.
Native forests support wildlife, store water, and help regulate the local climate.
For example, the Paulownia tree absorbs carbon quickly but may harm local biodiversity. However, planting non-native species like this may not support local biodiversity. Effective reforestation supports ecosystems while offering multiple benefits.
Balancing Forests for Conservation and Resources
Forests also meet economic needs. Many countries, like the UK, import wood for construction and products, which puts pressure on global forests.
Some reforestation projects address this by combining timber production with conservation. For instance, timber plantations may dedicate some of their land to native woodlands to support wildlife and store carbon.
Taking Steps Toward Full Restoration
Reforestation projects fall along a spectrum of goals, from simple improvement to full restoration:
Damage Control: Preventing further harm, such as soil erosion.
Rehabilitation: Improving damaged areas without fully restoring them.
Full Restoration: Rebuilding ecosystems with native species and diverse habitats.
Most projects aim for somewhere between rehabilitation and full restoration. The goal is to create healthier, more diverse forests that support biodiversity and store more carbon over time.
Forest Care Starts at Home
Reforestation begins locally. Urban trees cool neighborhoods, improve air quality, and provide shade. Simple actions like planting trees at home or joining local projects contribute to healthier ecosystems.
Successful reforestation goes beyond planting—it requires nurturing forests to ensure they thrive for future generations and support the planet.
How Individuals and Communities Can Help Create Healthy Forest Ecosystems
Reforestation doesn't require grand gestures. Small actions by individuals and communities can significantly improve the environment. From planting trees to participating in local initiatives, everyone has a role to play.
Making a difference begins in your backyard. Here are a few practical ways to contribute:
Plant Native Species: Native trees, flowers, and grasses support local wildlife and ecosystems.
Leave the Leaves: Allow leaves to stay on your lawn in winter to shelter insects like bees.
Create Natural Habitats: Keep a small brush pile for birds and other animals to nest safely.
These small efforts promote biodiversity and create healthier local environments.
Joining Community Reforestation Projects
Communities worldwide have joined forces to plant and care for trees. In Hawaii, for example, volunteers planted trees to combat climate change. While some trees didn't survive initially, the community learned from these challenges and improved their approach.
Such projects highlight the importance of collective action. Success grows when communities unite to plant and care for trees over time.
The Scale of Reforestation Potential
Studies show that over 2 billion acres of land could support new trees without impacting cities or farmland. Planting trees on this land could address climate change and restore biodiversity. Even small contributions, like planting a few trees, increase when multiplied by millions of people.
Supporting Reforestation Beyond Planting
Reforestation also needs financial support. Carbon credits help fund tree-planting projects but only cover part of the costs. Governments, donors, and communities must also invest in long-term solutions.
For example, the U.S. government allocated $1.5 billion to urban forestry through the Inflation Reduction Act. This funding supports tree equity, ensuring trees benefit all communities, especially in urban areas.
How Healthy Forest Ecosystems Improve Lives and Communities
Trees improve air quality, reduce energy costs, and support biodiversity. They also provide aesthetic and emotional value, reminding us of nature's importance.
By planting trees, joining local efforts, or supporting reforestation programs, everyone can contribute to a greener, healthier future. Each small action brings us closer to restoring the planet's forests.
Conclusion
Healthy forest ecosystems support biodiversity, store carbon, and improve air quality. However, planting trees alone isn't enough. Trees need care, protection, and local support to grow and provide long-term benefits.
Reforestation works best when they protect existing forests and grow new ones in the right places. Community involvement is also essential. When local people help plant and care for forests, they stay healthier and stronger.
Balancing conservation with practical uses, like agroforestry or managed woodlands, makes reforestation more effective. Native forests, for example, support wildlife and strengthen ecosystems, while managed forests can meet economic needs.
Even small actions help. Planting native species, joining local projects, or supporting tree-planting programs can make a lasting impact. We can create resilient forests that protect the planet and future generations by working together.
A healthier planet starts with healthy forest ecosystems. When planted and nurtured properly, each tree contributes to a more sustainable and greener world.
FAQs
What makes healthy forest ecosystems different from planted forests?
Healthy forest ecosystems include diverse plant and animal species, natural soil, and sustainable growth. Planted forests may lack biodiversity and need human care to thrive.
Why is biodiversity important for forest health?
Biodiversity helps forests resist diseases, pests, and extreme weather. A mix of species strengthens ecosystems and improves resilience.
Can urban tree planting help create healthy forest ecosystems?
Yes, urban trees cool cities, clean the air, and improve well-being. However, they need proper care to stay healthy.
How does climate change affect healthy forest ecosystems?
Climate change increases droughts, wildfires, and pests, making forest management vital to maintaining balance and resilience.
What role does soil health play in forest ecosystems?
Healthy soil supports plant growth, retains water, and stores carbon. Damaged soil can weaken forest ecosystems.