As the world grapples with the climate crisis, the value of secondary forests in countering the effects of deforestation has become increasingly apparent. These secondary forests, which have regrown naturally on land once used for agriculture, are playing a vital role in protecting old-growth forests across the Amazon basin, according to collaborative research conducted by Lancaster University, Bangor University, and the University of British Columbia.
The research, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, highlights the significance of secondary forests in maintaining connectivity between isolated fragments of old-growth forest. The study, led by Charlotte Smith as part of the Envision Doctoral Training Partnership, a collaboration involving Bangor University, reveals that while secondary forests cover just 190,000 km2 of the Amazon, they connect more than 2 million fragmented areas of old-growth forest, which are crucial for biodiversity conservation.
Prof. John Healey, co-author of the paper and Professor of Forest Sciences at Bangor University, stresses that secondary forests are serving as buffers, protecting up to 41% of old-growth forest edges from negative edge effects, including higher temperatures and wind. Additionally, the proximity of old-growth forests contributes to the recovery of biodiversity and biomass in secondary forests. Encouragingly, 94% of secondary forests are connected to old-growth forests. However, it is important to note that many old-growth forest remnants are small and degraded, resulting in only 57% of secondary forests being connected to extensive, structurally-intact old-growth areas.
This research emphasizes the significance of managing forests at a landscape scale. Prof. Healey underlines the importance of promoting forest restoration through the use of secondary forests adjacent to old-growth forest remnants. This approach not only contributes to the conservation of biodiversity in these remnants but also facilitates the recovery of biodiversity in the secondary forests themselves.
Furthermore, Prof. Healey draws parallels between this study and recent research conducted by Bangor University on the Climate Smart Woodlands project in Wales. The research suggests that similar spatial planning can help identify the optimal locations for new woodlands at a landscape scale, promoting sustainable forest management and resilience.
The findings of this study shed light on the critical role of secondary forests in protecting old-growth forest remnants in the Amazon. With the global focus on ecosystem restoration, the significance of naturally regrowing forests cannot be underestimated. By recognizing and fostering the value of these secondary forests, we can contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and the long-term viability of the Amazon’s unique ecosystems.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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