{"id":112635,"date":"2016-05-16T09:31:14","date_gmt":"2016-05-16T13:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=112635"},"modified":"2023-06-27T12:19:54","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T16:19:54","slug":"natural-regrowth-tropical-forest-helps-reach-climate-goals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2016\/05\/natural-regrowth-tropical-forest-helps-reach-climate-goals\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Regrowth of Tropical Forest Helps Reach Climate Goals"},"content":{"rendered":"

The importance of forest conservation and forest regrowth in climate mitigation and carbon sequestration \u2013 capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere \u2013 has long been recognized by climate scientists. But detailed information needed to make accurate estimates of this potential was missing.<\/p>\n

Now, an international team of 60 scientists \u2013 working together as the 2ndFOR Network \u2013 has completed studies on the effects of forest conservation and secondary forest regeneration across 43 regions in Latin America and has come up with some real answers.<\/p>\n

In a paper<\/a> published in the May 13 issue of Science Advances<\/em>, UConn professor of ecology and evolutionary biology Robin Chazdon and her colleagues report a series of major findings related to their research.<\/p>\n

\"Extensive<\/a>
Extensive spontaneous and assisted natural regeneration of Atlantic Rain Forest at Rio Cachoiera nature reserve, Antonina, Parana, Brazil. (Robin Chazdon\/UConn Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chazdon says the objectives of the study were to model the areas covered by regrowth forests across the lowlands of the Latin American Tropics in two age classes; to project above-ground carbon storage in these young forests over four decades; and to illustrate alternative scenarios for carbon storage where up to 80 percent of these forests are allowed to regenerate and where up to 40 percent of pasture land is allowed to regenerate into forests.<\/p>\n

She says, \u201cThis research is vital because actively growing vegetation takes carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and converts it to plant tissues such as wood and leaves. Old growth forests contain large stocks of carbon in their biomass. When these forests are cleared and burned, this carbon is released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. This is one of the main reasons why it is important to halt deforestation.<\/p>\n

\"Pasture<\/a>
Pasture with young second-growth forest in the background in Chiapas, Mexico. (Robin Chazdon\/UConn Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cBut, we have also learned that when forests regrow, their carbon stocks in above-ground biomass increase over time, depending on climate, prior land uses, and features of the surrounding landscape. This regrowth can happen without planting trees, through the spontaneous process of natural regeneration. This is a low-cost way of restoring forests and of reaching carbon mitigation goals that should receive greater attention from policy makers, non-governmental organizations, and international conventions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the major findings of the reforestation study are:<\/p>\n