Reimagining Planted Forests: A Nature-Positive Approach to Global Environmental Challenges

As the global population continues to grow, the demand for forest products and services also increases. However, with natural forests in the tropics declining and becoming less accessible for timber production, there is a growing reliance on planted forests to meet these demands. Planted forests are often seen as a solution to environmental issues although this viewpoint is debated, with many considering that planted forests are not ‘nature positive’. Here we examine evidence from the literature to determine whether planted forests primarily contribute to, or offer solutions to, pressing global environmental challenges – biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, clean water supplies, and declining natural forests. Findings are mixed for biodiversity conservation, with positive contribution of plantations depending on proximity to, and management of, natural vegetation in the plantation matrix. Plantations can contribute positively to water yield and quality but this depends on site characteristics, previous land use, management practices, species selection and rotation length influence these outcomes. When replacing grass or crop land, plantations reduce water yield for downstream users. Planted forests can sequester atmospheric carbon and positively contribute to climate change mitigation if established on cleared or degraded land but not when replacing natural forests. Planted forest can alleviate pressure on natural forests by providing alternative sources for timber but establishment costs are high, and timber harvesting is not a major driver of tropical natural forests. In conclusion, well-planned and designed planted forests can make a positive contribution to nature, address global environmental challenges and provide multiple ecosystem services, particularly when integrated with other landscape restoration activities.