Animals can aid reforestation efforts through the process of animal seed dispersal, a behavior where animals disperse plant seeds by eating them and releasing them through feces, a new study by researchers has revealed. Americans.
Animals and wildlife populations
(Photo: SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP via Getty Images)
The study was published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B on November 14, where researchers asserted that the dispersal of animal seeds is an important means in the restoration of tropical forests because it maintains plant diversity and accelerates community renewal.
Researchers recognize that changes in seed dispersal during forest restoration can determine the recovery of species interactions. However, the study indicates that such changes are rarely considered when planning forest restoration or reforestation projects.
In a December 19 press release, Yale University said its study found that animals play a key role in restoring forests, but this is called into question by the fact that global animal populations wildlife have declined by almost 70% in the past 50 years as their habitats have been polluted and destroyed by humans, as mentioned by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Read also : Reforestation along the Mississippi River will reduce agricultural runoff and revive the Gulf of Mexico
Deforestation and forest degradation
Forests cover 31% of Earth’s land area, helping people survive and thrive by purifying air and water. It also provides jobs for people, with around 13.2 people across the world working in the forestry sector and 41 million more who have jobs related to the sector, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Some animals also depend on the forests that they use as their natural habitat. Forests are also known for their crucial role in mitigating the impact of climate change and global warming since they serve as carbon sinks or carbon storage. These natural environments absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and contribute to climate change.
Despite their benefits, forests around the world are bombarded with threats in the form of deforestation and forest degradation. The main cause of deforestation is agriculture and poorly planned infrastructure, the main cause of forest degradation is illegal logging. In 2019, rainforests lost an area equivalent to nearly 30 football pitches of trees every minute, adds the WWF.
The wildlife organization also highlights the threat of deforestation in tropical rainforests as they are home to most of the world’s biodiversity. For example, the Amazon is home to about 17% of the forests lost over the past 50 years, mostly due to forest conversion for cattle ranching. Deforestation in the region is mainly rampant near populated areas, roads and rivers, the organization said.
Reforestation projects
According to Tree-Nationa global online platform to plant trees and fight climate change, some of the following reforestation projects are underway in different parts of the world:
- Australia
- Colombia
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Bolivia
- Thailand
- Argentina
- UK
- India
- United States
- Brazil
- Senegal
- Spain
- Uganda
- mozambique
- Madagascar
- Peru
Reforestation projects, which are carried out by both governments and non-governmental organizations, are primarily aimed at protecting animals and the environment by restoring lost expanding forest lands. These projects can also be funded by the public through donations and other means, including through social media and other online platforms.
Related article: Scientists say proper reforestation in Africa’s rainforests and savannah biomes is crucial
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