Tropical forests that have been cleared are recovering surprisingly quickly, according to a study by scientists at Wageningen University. The resulting secondary forests should therefore be recognised and protected as valuable ecosystems. The researchers analysed data from over 2,200 forest plots, comparing forests of different ages that had regenerated for varying lengths of time. The study found that around ten years after deforestation, the nutrients in the soil of many secondary forests were almost as numerous and diverse as in untouched rainforests. However, it takes much longer for trees to return, with biomass in secondary forests reaching around 80% of the original level around 20 years after deforestation. The researchers estimate that it will take around 120 years for the original biomass to be fully restored.
The study highlights the importance of recognising and protecting secondary forests as valuable ecosystems that can help mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity. However, the researchers caution that the results should not be seen as a justification for further deforestation. Instead, they argue that efforts should be made to ensure that nature can regenerate if deforestation does occur. The study’s findings are particularly relevant given that untouched tropical forests are becoming increasingly rare, with much of the land being cleared for agriculture or livestock farming.
The study’s authors hope that their findings will encourage policymakers to recognise the value of secondary forests and take steps to protect them. They argue that these forests can play an important role in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity, and that they should be seen as a valuable resource rather than simply as land waiting to be cleared. The study also highlights the importance of monitoring the regeneration of secondary forests over time, in order to better understand how they can be protected and managed in the future.
