Challenges in forest plantations

Plantation forestry faces challenges for which the New Generation Plantations (NGP) can be a solution.

The New Generation Plantations project is managed by WWF to develop and promote the adoption of improved practices in plantation forestry.
/ ©: Fibria
© Fibria
Well designed and managed plantations can be beneficial to the environment in degraded landscapes like overgrazed pastures. Conversely, poor managed and badly located plantations can cause significant damage to natural habitats and ecosystems services such as water and nutrient cycles, carbon stock and biodiversity values.

However, the NGP project shows that negative impacts can be greatly reduced with good management measures.

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Water cycle

In arid and semi-arid regions plantations can reduce the amount of water available in the catchment leading to drying up of streams and reduced availability of potable groundwater.

The NGP experience suggests that the establishment of riparian zones, and minimization of herbicide and fertilizer application especially during wet periods have reduced the changes in water flow. Also, leaving blocks of native species in plantations and selective felling during harvesting has decreased disturbance of the water cycle.

Soil nutrients

Establishing a plantation can influence the nutrient cycle in both positive and negative ways. Negative effects include for example substantial biomass removal and disturbance of soil structure as a result of poor operations. Also, the leaching of fertilizers can be detrimental to nutrient availability.

The NGP case studies have demonstrated that good practices can address potential nutrient cycle problems. Measures such as careful matching of species to site, cushioning the ground travel of harvesting equipment, and leaving logging residue on the ground can minimize soil disturbance.

Climate change

The conversion of natural forests into plantations often accelerates climate change by increasing carbon emissions.

However, establishing a plantation on non-forested land typically increases land-based carbon stocks and reduces the emissions of methane to the atmosphere in places where they replace cattle-raising.

Plantations are likely to have a positive impact on the climate, provided they are managed sustainably and do not replace natural or semi-natural forests.

Biodiversity values

Poorly managed plantations may cause significant damage to biodiversity. The use of heavy machinery can harm ground vegetation and agrochemicals may damage some species. Moreover, plantations have sometimes resulted in introduction of invasive species.

The NGP participants have successfully applied various methods to enhance biodiversity values in planted forests. For example, selective felling contributes to structural and age diversity. Also, in cases when plantations are adjoining protected areas, allowing wild animals to have access to planted areas lessens pressure on the protection zone.

Rights of local communities

Sometimes a few powerful actors such as governments and corporations can make decisions on plantation establishment and management without adequate concern for needs of local communities or forest dependant people.

The NGP cases studies have given valuable lessons learnt for meaningful stakeholder consultation. Support methods like financial aid are often needed to encourage local stakeholders to participate. An outside facilitator brings a neutral voice and helps to ensure that processes are not dominated by vocal minorities.

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Photos and graphics © WWF or used with permission. Text available under a Creative Commons licence.