“We risk reducing natural ecosystems to one metric…"
TLDR Planting one species of tree instead of an ecosystem of multiple species of native trees is not a good idea.
The issue isn’t that we’re planting trees, it’s they’re planting one species of rapidly growing tree in areas that it isn’t native. Because it’s easier…
To do this right means planting a slew of native trees in parts, some trees spaced randomly, come back in 5 years plant some more, come back in 10 years plant some more to fill in again. Forests shouldn’t have one consistent layer of tree cover, if you do that no sunlight gets to the ground for ground foliage growth that is so essential for forest ecosystems. Also don’t clear and replant fallen trees immediately, fallen trees are huge boosts for forest biomes by fertilizing the ground again and providing a home for shrubbery and critters. We need to build forests, not just trees
The issue isn’t that we’re planting trees, it’s they’re planting one species of rapidly growing tree in areas that it isn’t native. Because it’s easier…
Those trees are often the ones logging operations prefer (whether for lumber or paper mills).
Ontario, Canada has done the same for decades to feed mills.
While this is an issue, there are more than a few “non-profits” that have come into existence in the past 5 to 10 years that are “saving the world by planting millions of acres of trees”. These assholes are even more guilty than the lumber companies because at least the lumber companies are planning on cycling the trees, not trying to repopulate a forest the wrong way.
A more effective solution would be to mandate that all trees that are lumbered must be replaced 1:1 with saplings of the same species. It won’t fix the loss of old growth, but at least it will give a chance for maintaining biodiversity so long as there aren’t any overzealous moose or goats.
But … this certificate says I’m a Scottish lord now…
Somewhat OT- When my mom was a little kid, there was an ad (I think a magazine ad?) that said for a certain small amount of money, you could own a square inch worth of land in Alaska. So she sent away the money and they sent her a deed for the square inch, along with a notice saying that for an additional fee, they would send her the square inch. So she paid it and they sent her a square inch of dirt in a box. I kind of wish she’d kept it.
I’ll have a side of industrial robber baron with that, please.
As you wish m’laird
