Carbon sequestration and biodiversity following 18 years of active tropical forest restoration

BACKGROUND:

Vast tropical forests have been degraded and converted to other land uses such as agriculture. Degraded forests can regenerate naturally to improve biodiversity and carbon sequestration. However, major degradation factors, such as wildfires, hinder natural regeneration. Forest restoration can play an essential role in such circumstances. Nonetheless, research on methods to increase carbon storage and improve the ecosystem function of tropical forests is limited.

GOALS AND METHODS:

The authors seek to address the gap in knowledge by undertaking research in the Uganda Wildlife Authority and FACE the Future Foundation rehabilitation project in Kibale National Park, Uganda. The study aims to quantify the effect of tree planting and fire management on above-ground biomass accumulation and plant species diversity and to estimate woody plant species diversity. The authors calculate changes in forest structure by above-ground biomass and biodiversity at 10 and 18 years post-planting in 2005 and 2013, respectively.

CONCLUSION AND TAKEAWAYS:

The study concludes that protection from fire, planting seedlings, and grass-cutting is a successful forest restoration method. Results from the study indicate that forest restoration benefits above-ground biomass accumulation. The authors suggest monitoring permanent sample plots over a long period is needed to understand the long-term recovery dynamics in restoration landscapes.