CO2OL Native Tree Species Reforestation
background
This project takes place in Panama. The mission is to restore degraded pasture or fallow land with mixed native tree species for the purposes of timber production, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation. The first trees of the project were planted in 1995 and the project became CCBA validated in 2007. The main goal of storing a high amount of atmospheric carbon and the production of fine tropical hardwood is to ensure stabilization and restoration of fragile and degraded areas in an economically, socially, and ecologically viable way.
GOALS & approach
The CO2OL Native Tree Species Reforestation project creates close to nature forests namely, tropical forest plantations , which contribute to native biodiversity conservation and restoration at different spatial scales. The project's forest management practices protect watersheds, foster conservation of biodiversity, improve ecological processes through the preservation of locally adapted biodiversity, create ecological corridors and help to retain native biodiversity, while sequestering high amounts of green house gases.
reported TAKEAWAYS
The project is seen to generate net positive impact to biodiversity. Using up to 60% indigenous and non-invasive species of plants for reforestation, the project promotes better biodiversity than planting for example teak monocultures. In addition, the project also provides additional protection to the area allowing the natural succession and regeneration process to occur and eventually provides refuge to wildlife species. Furthermore, connecting forest fragments helps the regeneration of local wildlife species.
Reference:
“Native Tree Species Reforestation: Panama” n.d. Accessed December 31, 2019.
Affiliation:
- CO2OL
- ForestFinance