introduction

Afforestation is the process of planting trees, or sowing seeds, in a barren land devoid of any
trees to create a forest. ... Afforestation is, therefore, a practice that has been propagated by
government and non-government agencies of many countries as a way to stop over-exploitation
of nature.

 What is Afforestation?
Afforestation is the process of planting trees, or sowing seeds, in a barren land devoid of any
trees to create a forest. The term should not be confused with reforestation, which is the process
of specifically planting native trees into a forest that has decreasing numbers of trees. While
reforestation is increasing the number of trees of an existing forest, afforestation is the creation
of a ‘new’ forest.
 Our Earth has been constantly trying to cope with the way in which human beings use natural
resources, clear forest lands, cut trees, and contaminate the air, land, and water. Industrial
revolution, population bursts, and pollution create permanent damage to the earth, and the result
is global warming and climate change. In such situations,something that can help extend the life
of the planet and its living organisms is the increase of natural resources and decrease of
exploitation of these resources.
By planting trees and creating forests, many of the commercial needs of human beings are
fulfilled, while not destroying what is left of the planet. Afforestation is, therefore, a practice that
has been propagated by government and non-government agencies of many countries as a way to
stop over-exploitation of nature.

Advantages of Afforestation
1. A constant supply of forest products
Planting trees in the land that was not previously productive ensures that the supply of
essential products does not stop. Relying on natural forests can be highly unreliable. It is
also not predictive due to government and environmental policies.

Forest harvesting is highly regulated. It is usually common for governments to put a

ban on forest harvesting, which can be detrimental for a business that fully relies on
forest supplies. Afforestation provides people and businesses with reliable alternative
sources of forest supplies. For example, a company can easily and reliably project its
annual sales and production when it has its own land of trees, unlike when it sources its
products from natural forests.

Creating new forests also provide the community with fodder, fruits, firewood, and other
valuable resources necessary for humans. In addition to making the resources available,
afforestation also ensures that the resources are sustainable for the future.
2. Prevents soil erosion
Soil erosion is a common problem in barren lands. Barren land is not the best place to be
on a windy day. Barren lands experience strong winds that carry large particles of soil
causing soil erosion while also negatively affecting air quality. A great example is the
dust bowl that was highly associated with intensive farming and large tracts of barren
lands.

Barren lands are also subject to flooding when it rains, resulting in the topsoil being
transported to rivers and water sources in the area. Afforestation helps to address all the
issues of soil erosion and barren land at the same time. Trees act as wind barriers thereby
weakening the speed of the wind and reducing its impact and ability to carry big soil
particles. Tree roots also hold the soil together tightly making sure that the soil stays in
place during flooding.

Tree leaves and branches also help to reduce the impact of raindrops on the ground
preventing water drops erosion. Keeping the soil in place ensures that farmers have fertile
soils to grow crops. Soil that held tightly is also less prone to landslides, especially in
hilly and mountain regions.

3. Stabilizes the climate

Planting trees is a proven way of transforming arid and semiarid areas. Places with more
trees experience frequent rains, and thus, planting trees is a perfect way to stabilize
climate. Trees also reduce the greenhouse effect preventing warmer temperatures as they
are the world’s only natural air conditioners.

4. Has the potential of reversing global warming and

climate change
Global warming is a major concern for global leaders and environmentalists. As such,
more and more people are being encouraged to plant trees in their gardens, and
afforestation is one of the recommended ways of addressing global warming.

Trees help reverse the greenhouse effect through the process of photosynthesis as they act
as carbon sinks. In other words, establishing new forests create new carbon dioxide
holding areas – reducing the carbon dioxide in the environment. The overall outcome is
the reduction of the effect of global warming.
5. Better quality air
Trees play an important role in purifying the air. People in areas with trees are less likely
to suffer from air-related conditions. Trees purify carbon dioxide and offer oxygen
through photosynthesis. In the last decades, people have been producing more and more
carbon dioxide through their activities like driving, burning fossils, and industrial
activities, resulting in more carbon dioxide in the air.

In addition to producing carbon dioxide, human activities like construction have led to
the diminishing of forests. The imbalance has led to more toxins in the air. In addition to
carbon dioxide and greenhouse emissions, human activities like construction and driving
create dust particles in the air affecting the air quality. Trees not only purify carbon
dioxide, but they also purify greenhouse emissions. They also trap soil particles in the
air resulting in better air quality.

6. Improve watershed
Without clean water, the earth cannot support lives. Humans and animals rely on clean
water for their survival and hence the need to protect the watershed. Although most
efforts are on restoring the existing watersheds, afforestation plays a major role in
creating new watersheds. People living in arid and semiarid regions are the most affected
when it comes to lack of clean water for consumption and household use.

Places with forests have several sources of water as opposed to places without trees
where they mostly rely on floodwater conservation. Afforestation can help improve the
watershed of arid and semiarid areas. Trees help to bring more rain to the region. Trees
also ensure that the water is better held in the soil, improving the underground water
table.

7. Preservation of wildlife
When forests diminish, the wildlife also diminishes. Wild animals suffer most when
humans invade forests and their other habitats. Today, most of the places where humans
have built cities and estates used to be grazing and dwelling places for wildlife.
As human activities continue to expand, the number of wildlife living in unprotected
areas has dwindled.

Furthermore, unless drastic measures are embraced, most of these animals will become
extinct. Afforestation helps to ensure that there are enough forests for wildlife to thrive
in. Those animals pushed from their natural habitats by human activities can relocate to
the new forests. For this reason, afforestation can aid in protecting wild animals.

8. Provision of employment and economic opportunities

The timber industry is a big employer. In the construction industry, timber products are
basic components of every building. However, before they become ready for final use in
the construction site, they undergo detailed processing. For example, before hardboards
can be used in the construction of drawers, they have to be processed from round timber.

Many countries have introduced the practice of planting trees along with agricultural crops in
croplands. The benefits of this practice, which is called agroforestry, are:
In terms of the environmental benefits, planting trees is always beneficial whether it takes place
in a barren land or is used as a method to regenerate a depleted forest. Trees help check
atmospheric carbon dioxide; large scale afforestation can curb the problems caused due to
burning of fossil fuels, industrialization and so forth.
List of Advantages of Afforestation

1. It grows trees that provide wildlife habitats.

At the source of almost every ecosystem are trees, serving as home, place of protection and food
source for most animal species, and even us humans. By simply growing them, you are helping
wildlife and ecosystems to thrive.
2. It increases the supply of timber and charcoal.
On the commercial side, afforestation is done by companies to grow trees to be able to source
timber and charcoal from them. Aside from this, it provides more job opportunities, while
helping local businesses with an increased supply of its products as well as benefiting the local
economy.
3. It helps resolve the problem of climate change.
Through photosynthesis, trees play an important role in fighting against the greenhouse effect,
which is a big contributing factor causing climate change around the world.
4. It helps prevent soil erosion.
As we already know, trees and their roots have a significant role in binding the soil together and
preventing the process of desertification or soil erosion, which can cause regions to become
useless dry wastelands.

Disadvantages of Afforestation

1. It comes with real opportunity costs.

One potentially huge drawback of afforestation is the simple fact that it comes with real
opportunity cost, where the transformed lands can no longer be used residential developments
and agriculture that are highly beneficial to the society through more supply of food and housing
for those who need them.
2. It can affect biodiversity.
Under poor management, this method can result in a reduction of biodiversity in the local
ecosystem; introduction of potentially invasive and non-native species; modification of particular
biomes; reduced stream flow; and loss of agricultural revenue. As you can see, native grasslands
that are converted into forests might not be able to contain the same habitat for local species.
Also, mismanaged reforestation efforts could result in the production of a monoculture that lacks
plant diversity and lessens the number of available habitats for inhabitants of the forest.
3. It can bring some problems of ecotourism.
If the purpose of afforestation is ecotourism, it may be subject to potential problems that come
with ecotourism, such as littering and harm to wildlife.

 Conclusion
Afforesting is a positive effort in curbing the over-use and destruction of natural forests. If done
with proper planning and at appropriate sites, it can become a commercially viable solution for
many human needs without harming the balance of nature.

References and Further Reading

Anderson, M.L. 1960. The Selection of Tree Species: An Ecological Basis of Site Classification
for Conditions Found in Great Britain and Ireland. 2nd Edition. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh and
London, UK. Ellenberg, H. 1988. Vegetation Ecology of Central Europe. 4th Edition. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge. UK. Farrelly, N. & Gallagher, G. Undated. Classification of lands
suitable for afforestation in the Republic of Ireland. A report commissioned by the COFORD
Council Land Availability Working Group (CCLAWG). Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Farrelly, N., Ní Dhubháin, Á. & Nieuwenhuis, M. 2011a. Site index of Sitka spruce (Picea
sitchensis) in relation to different measures of site quality in Ireland. Canadian Journal of Forest
Research 41(2):265-278. Farrelly, N., Ní Dhubháin, Á. & Nieuwenhuis, M. 2011b. Modelling
and mapping the potential productivity of Sitka spruce from site factors in Ireland. Irish Forestry
68(1&2):23- 40. Farrelly, N & Gallagher, G. 2015a. 8. Farrelly, N & Gallagher, G. 2015b. The
development of a site classification for Irish forestry. Irish Forestry 72:166-188. Hill, M.O.,
Mountford, J.O., Roy, D.B. & Bunce, R.G.H. 1999. Ellenberg’s indic