How to Reforest
Tips for successful tree planting
By The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP Europe Office
Only baobabs remain, deforestation in Madagascar (2017) by UNEP/Lisa Murray the United Nations
Why organize tree planting?
Forest ecosystems are under strong pressure from our rising population and its hunger for more land and resources. Globally, we are losing about 4.7 million hectares of tropical forest each year, an area the size of the Dominican Republic, often to make space for cultivated land.
Green Connection - Restoring ecosystems in Haiti (2021) by UNEP Original Source: UNEP
Burning rainforest in Sumatra to make space for palm oil plantations, Indonesia (2014) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosch Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/3053
Many remaining forests are degraded
This is due to logging, firewood cutting, pollution and invasive pests. Trees outside forests are disappearing to make way for houses, roads, dams and intensive agriculture. Wildfires and human-caused fires, aggravated by climate change, are devastating forest ecosystems.
Young tree in plantation, Canada (2014) by GRID-Arendal/Lawrence Hislop Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/3115
Tree planting can be simple
Tree planting is also a hugely popular restoration activity. You can add trees to a garden, a public space, a farm, a city, across a landscape or even a whole country. Selective planting can revitalise a forest degraded by over harvesting.
Urban gardening - Growing food in New York City (2021) by UNEP and 2021 the United Nations
Mangrove planting. Gazi Bay, Kenya (2017) by UNEP/Will Baxter the United Nations
Tree planting basics
- It is not just about planting trees, but about making them grow - seedlings need care- You should plant the right tree, at the right place and the right time
Tsitongambaraika forest, one of Madgascar’s few remaining stands of humid lowland forest. (2018) by UNEP/Lisa Murray the United Nations
How to start a tree planting project
- Take time to plan ahead and be patient
- Set goals and measure progress
- Involve people with experience who can provide support
Mountain gorilla habitat at the slope of volcano mountain, Virunga national park, DRC (2016) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosch Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/3358
A journey rather than a destination
Restoring ecosystems yields steady improvements over a long period of time.
- Consider the environmental and social contexts of the site to be restored
- Learn about the ecosystem you want to protect or restore
- Decide what you want to achieve, over a specific period
- Plan targets along the way
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Georgia (2014) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosch Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/3076
Goal setting
Establish your goals using the specific ecosystem attributes to be recovered. Take account of both ecological complexity and temporal change. Join an existing tree planting group or campaign in your region to get hands-on experience.
Louise Mabulo, Young Champion of the Earth for Asia and the Pacific (2019) by UNEP the United Nations
Always inform and consult!
Everyone who will be affected in any way by the project should be informed and consulted. It's a matter of courtesy and a way to gain valuable supporters. Tapping into other people's knowledge and experience, and valuing their interests can defuse opposition.
Dunes and Pine Forest, Coto Doñana National Park, Spain (2014) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosch Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/1353
Not just trees
Ecosystem restoration is not just about planting trees, but includes smaller plants too. This enables more plants and animals (mammals, birds, insects, etc.) to settle and colonise the area and helps with the restoration process. When pollinators settle it improves the variety of healthy biodiversity.
Waterfall in Krka national park, Croatia (2017) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosh Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/11720
Identify the native ecosystem
It's important to consider the native ecosystem of the restoration area, but you need to take the environmental and climate changes into account. Climate change is part of the environmental condition to which many species will either adapt or go extinct. Involve experts!
Palm oil trees and shrimp farms are advancing towards the Mangrove estuary south of Krabi, Thailand (2014) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosch Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/3895
Adaptation
Some species will be lost while others may survive due to their adaptability to changes, and still others will newly arrive. If the site is overly affected by environmental and climate changes, you will need to retain and augment genetically diverse populations of existing native species.
Coast of Tromoy, Raet National Park, Norway (2017) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosch the United Nations
Variable landscapes
If your site comprises significant differences in altitudes and is made of lakes, rivers, wetlands or human habitat, you will need to consider this when choosing tree and plant species. Note that the introduction of alien species to landscapes is almost always
harmful,
especially if they are invasive.
Lycian Way at Cape Gelidonia, Beydaglari Coastal (Olympos) National Park, Turkey (2014) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosch Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/4251
What are invasive alien species?
These are species that are not native to an area. They may lack natural predators in the new environment, allowing them to quickly increase in abundance and spread rapidly, to the detriment of native species and causing environmental or economic damage.
Mediterranean ash trees; surrounding of the Hayedo de Montejo UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Spain (2014) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosch Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/1357
Build a model
Ecological restoration requires identifying the native ecosystem to be restored, and developing reference models for planning and communicating a shared vision of project targets and goals.
Temperate rainforest near Vancouver, Canada (2014) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosch Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/3019
Use similar ecosystems as a template
Base your project site on ecosystems that are environmentally and ecologically similar, and ideally have experienced little or minimal degradation. Your project should aim to recreate the approximate condition the site would be, if degradation had not occurred.
Rhododendron Forest in the Sagarmatha National Park, Himalaya, Nepal (2012) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosch Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/4106
Benefits of ecosystems restoration
It contributes to biodiversity conservation, increases carbon sequestration (storage) and the delivery of other vital ecosystem services. It improves water quality, human health and well being (through positive human connections with nature), and the livelihoods of local people.
Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina (2016) by GRID-Arendal/Peter Prokosch Original Source: http://www.grida.no/resources/1431
Ask an Expert!
Thousands of experts around the world have dedicated their professional lives to protecting and restoring ecosystems. They can provide advice on where and how planting trees can be helpful.
Join us and learn more!
- UNEP Ecosystem Restoration Playbook
- United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
- UNEP & FAO: Becoming #GenerationRestoration: Ecosystem Restoration for People
,
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Toolbox
Additional learning resources
- Society for Ecological Restoration (SER): International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration
- SER: Overview of the Practice of Ecological Restoration, Free online course
- The Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Europe Office
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