Nature provides one of the fastest ways to battle climate change. Reforestation combined with ecosystem-based forestry can together harvest over 20 billion tons CO2 each year.
That equal almost half of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. New forest management combined with protection provides a fantastic opportunity to start reducing the net emission of CO2.
NOTE: This DOES NOT replace the need to leave the fossil in the ground.
Ecosystem-based forestry is a collective name for forestry utilizing models, with nature as a role model in one way or another.
The left side illustrates a plantation, all the trees being the same. Same age, the same size and of the same species, i.e. a monoculture. The right side illustrates a natural forest, with a variety of species, sizes and ages, and a lot of deadwood.
All forestry methods can be defined by how much nature is altered. The image on the left shows how nature is completely changed and turned into a plantation. On the right, nature is more or less untouched.
The ecosystem-based forestry I´m working with is the Lübeck model. The Lübeck model aims at having the managed forest be as much like a natural forest as possible. This would be as seen as far to the right side in the picture as possible.
Question: “How can Ecosystem-based management guarantee the development of really old, coarse trees that are allowed to “die of natural causes” and become the coveted really old and coarse dead wood of many species?”
That’s a really good question!
Exercise programs or diets become effective only when practiced and applied over time. The results are not guaranteed – they are an effect of practice over time.
The same is true for ecosystem-based forestry. For the Lübeck* model, there are well-defined guidelines and principles. When those are followed – the development of really old, course trees that are allowed to “die of natural causes” – are guaranteed.
When I started to work in the forestry – more than 25 years ago – I realized that standard forestry often replaced natural forests with tree plantations.
A forest is a vibrant mix of trees of different ages, sizes, and species.
A plantation is a land area with trees in mainly one age, one size and one species, with little or no room for a forest with natural diversity.
Left side, a 100-year-old, natural regenerated, oak and beech forest. Right side, a 50-year-old spruce plantation.
When we cut down natural forests and replace them with tree-plantations (as done at the right side of the picture), with the loss of biodiverse habitat, wildlife tends to disappear. Today there is less than 20% of natural biodiverse forest left in the world. In Sweden, we have less than 1% of untouched forests
Large scale transformation of forests to plantations is one of the main causes of increasing species extinction. It also worsens the climate crisis. This is a scientific fact. Welcome to #Project ReGreening
The world needs Great visions – Founded in science and practical examples.
ReGreening Earth – Preserve what’s left – Restore what’s lost. Welcome to #ProjectReGreening
Trees suck carbon from the atmosphere to create wood mass. When a degraded ecosystem is restored, carbon is captured, wildlife returns and water conditions are enhanced.
A way forward
Ecoforestry plays a key role in the transition to a sustainable world. Ecoforestry can preserve nature, rewild plantations and reverse deforestation. What ecoforestry is, where it can be practiced and how, is one of the topics I will elaborate here.
Ecoforestry works hand in hand with nature, using the local ecosystem as a guide and role model. Instead of clear-cuts and plantations, Ecoforestry uses selective cutting and natural regeneration. Ecoforestry produces timber and protects nature – at the same time.
NOTE: Ecoforestry is not a replacement for protection. Ecoforestry is a way to protect and restore nature outside of national parks and to bring diverse nature back to the production forest.
Ecoforestry can preserve nature, rewild plantations, reverse deforestation, and produce timber.
From an Economical perspective, Ecoforestry is good. From a Biodiversity perspective, this is great. From a climate perspective, it’s sensational.
Through a transition from industrial forestry to Ecoforestry, in combination with reforestation, it’s possible to store an additional +25 billion tons of CO2 per year. That’s equals near half of all human-caused carbon emission in the world.
There is a lot more to be said about it. I have written a book and started a Foundation as a platform the bring forth this message.
Now it’s time to share my work with a broader audience, through translating my book and website into other languages, beginning with English. Also, please follow my YouTube Channel as I add content, information, knowledge, lectures, and great examples.
I’m very much looking forward to sharing this journey and what I’ve learned with you, your community and beyond. Together we will spread this knowledge around the world and create a green future.
You can check out my Ted Talk (in English) on Sustainable Forestry here and my more recent presentation on Ecoforestry at Stockholm University (in Swedish) here
YouTube
Every week I’ll add some new content. The content will be influenced by your comments and our interaction. I’m looking forward to your feedback and participation! Here’s a link to my Premiere video.
For over ten years I have procrastinated start shooting video – because I thought I wasn’t good enough. And maybe I´m not! At least if I´m the one to judge. But what the heck … “Screw it – let´s do it!!” To quote Richard Branson. If one should “wait for perfect” one would wait forever.
I have embraced “Progress – not Perfection” as my Modus operandi. That makes life much more fun! And – over time – both my skills and my level of comfort in front of a camera will improve. Welcome to join the journey!! Together we can do it! #ProjectReGreening
Patreon
ReGreening the Earth is a HUGE project – I know that. #ProjectReGreening is also one of the fastest and most powerful ways to fight climate change. Combined with renewable energy, and (initially) a decreased consumption (until we can produce stuff fully sustainable) ReGreening plays a key role in a sustainable future.
If you would like to support #ProjectReGreening you are welcome to make a small or big donation on Patreon patreon.com/ecoforestry
Together we shape the future!
Sincerely Yours
Yours Mikael Karlsson Sweden, Sörmland
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