Making the case for planting Native Tree Species

Native tree species are critical for addressing global challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable livelihoods. Millions of species depend on the right trees to survive, and native species provide essential ecosystem services including carbon sequestration, soil stability, water regulation, and energy. While exotic species like pine and eucalyptus are fast-growing and commercially attractive, their widespread promotion risks displacing native biodiversity, accelerating extinctions, and sometimes increasing CO₂ emissions. Restoration efforts under global initiatives such as the Bonn Challenge often prioritize commercial plantations, which can undermine ecological integrity.
Currently, 30% of the world’s tree species are threatened with extinction, with over 2,800 critically endangered. Planting the wrong species in the wrong place can deplete water tables, cause erosion, or exclude local communities from benefits. Constraints to native tree planting include limited demand, poor seed systems, and technical challenges in propagation. Opportunities exist through frameworks like the “10 Golden Rules for Restoring Forests,” national biodiversity strategies, and accountability mechanisms such as TNFD. Native species not only support biodiversity but also provide cultural, ecological, and livelihood benefits, making them essential for long-term forest landscape restoration.

You can play the slide directly on slideshare. Please click