Reforestation in Europe as a corporate contribution to the environment

Reforestation and afforestation are both essential practices in forest management, but they differ in their objectives and contexts:

Reforestation refers to the process of replanting trees in areas that were previously forested but have suffered degradation, whether through natural events such as fires and storms or human impact. The goal is to restore the forest ecosystem, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to carbon sequestration. Reforestation is particularly important in regions where forests have been damaged or poorly managed. In Germany and France, where a significant portion of forests are either diseased, infested with pests (such as bark beetles), or poorly managed, our primary focus is on reforestation. Here, we aim to restore forests and increase resilience to future climate impacts by using native or adaptive tree species.

Afforestation, on the other hand, is the process of establishing new forests on land that was previously not forested, such as grasslands, agricultural fields, or degraded areas. This helps increase overall forest cover and can support biodiversity, carbon capture, and local climate regulation. In Denmark, where the forest cover is below 15%, afforestation is a key strategy for expanding forested areas and improving the country’s environmental resilience.

Reforesting a plot or entire forest offers several key benefits:

• Restoring forests damaged by fires, storms, diseases, or pests.


• Increasing species diversity to improve resilience against climate-related events.


• Enhancing biodiversity by creating new habitats.


• Improving soil and water quality.


• Contributing to CO₂ sequestration, thus mitigating climate change.

Reforestation of a degraded forest follows a systematic process of the following five steps:

• 1. Site assessment: Evaluating soil conditions, climate, and regeneration potential.


• 2. Species selection: Choosing species suited to the local pedoclimatic conditions and biodiversity goals.


• 3. Ground preparation: Clearing vegetation and soil tilling, if necessary.


• 4. Planting: Tree saplings are planted at appropriate densities.


• 5. Maintenance: Including clearing, protecting saplings from wildlife and invasive plants, and replanting any saplings that don’t survive during the first three years
.

• 6. Long-term monitoring: Ensuring the growth and resilience of the forest through long-term management.


This long-term management is vital, as a forest takes decades to establish and requires ongoing care.

There are different types of reforestation, two of which we practice: Active planting and assisted natural regeneration (ANR):

Active planting involves manually planting saplings selected for their local adaptability and growth potential. These saplings are often planted in worked pots after soil preparation, ensuring better growth by preventing competition from other vegetation.

Assisted natural regeneration (ANR), which relies on existing seeds or natural regrowth on the site. Human intervention focuses on protecting and enhancing these young sprouts by removing threats such as competition from other plants or grazing by animals. In some cases, a combined approach may be employed, leveraging the natural resilience of forests while enhancing genetic diversity through plantations. Trees grown through natural regeneration are often more resilient, but a mixture of species is necessary to adapt to climate change.

Assisted natural regeneration (ANR) is a reforestation method that harnesses the natural regenerative capacity of a forest. Instead of mass planting, we identify and protect the young seedlings from fallen seeds, sprouts, or shoots. Human action involves:

• Protecting seedlings from competition and grazing.


• Selecting the best and most promising plants.


• Potentially enriching with complementary species to increase diversity within the forest.

Reforesting a forest is a long-term project that faces several challenges:
• Initial costs: Costs can be high, including the cost of saplings, soil preparation, planting, and follow-up care, such as replanting, clearing, and protecting young plants.
• Climate dependency: Droughts, heatwaves, and storms pose risks. While we cannot predict the future climate, we can take preventive measures, such as choosing resilient species and mixing tree ages to withstand storms.
• Pest and disease outbreaks: These are difficult to predict, but many regions release annual forest health reports to monitor these threats.
• Slow returns: Wood takes decades to mature, though timber revenue grows steadily by an average of 2% per year in Europe.
• Long-term commitment: Reforestation requires sustained care in the early years.
These challenges require careful planning and long-term commitment to ensure sustainable forest management.

Reforestation is essential for restoring ecosystems that are increasingly threatened by climate change, pests, and wildfires. Europe’s forests, covering about 32% of the land area, face mounting pressure, with many experiencing significant damage from events like droughts and insect infestations. Reforestation helps enhance biodiversity by supporting both native species and improving forest health, which is crucial for climate resilience.

For instance, forests in countries such as France and Germany have been significantly impacted by pests like the bark beetle, resulting in widespread damage. Reforestation is key to mitigating these impacts. It also contributes to carbon sequestration, with European forests absorbing approximately 7.5% of the EU's total annual carbon emissions. By restoring degraded landscapes, reforestation not only strengthens forest resilience but also boosts local economies, creates jobs in forest management, and helps achieve Europe’s ambitious climate goals. This makes reforestation vital to securing a sustainable future for both nature and communities.

The choice between planting and ANR depends on the site's natural regeneration potential:
• If the site already contains viable natural seedlings, Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) is preferable as it is more economical and maintains local diversity.
• If the site is completely degraded or lacks regeneration, active planting is necessary to restore the forest.
In some cases, a mixed approach is ideal: letting nature take its course where possible and complementing it with targeted plantations to enrich the forest.

The cost of a reforestation or afforestation project varies significantly based on:
• The area to be reforested or afforested.
• The tree species selected (some species are more expensive than others).
• Soil preparation (some areas require machinery that may struggle with rough terrain).
• Necessary protections (e.g., fences for wildlife, shelters, etc.).
• Monitoring and early-stage maintenance.

On average, reforestation in France, for example, costs between €2,000 and €6,000 per hectare, depending on the project's complexity. Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) can substantially reduce costs by requiring fewer saplings and less labour.

European legislation tightly regulates reforestation, with the aim of:
• Ensuring reforestation follows large-scale clear-cuts above certain thresholds.
• Requiring landowners to maintain forested land.
• Providing public subsidies and financial support for reforestation initiatives (e.g., EU Forest Strategy, EU Carbon Market).
• Encouraging the use of sustainable forest management and best practices.

This legal framework ensures the restoration of forest cover and promotes climate adaptation, supporting both ecological sustainability and climate resilience.