China has been carrying out a reforestation plan known as the Great Green Wall since 1978. The goal is to halt the expansion of the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts through the massive planting of trees.
- 66 billion trees have already been planted.
- An additional 34 billion are projected to be added by the middle of this century.
This effort has made the country one of the world leaders in reforestation, with a direct impact on carbon capture and the recovery of degraded soils.
Accelerated growth of planted forests
A study cited by Live Science revealed that the trees in these plantations grow faster than those in natural forests.
- Planted forests increased their leaf area 66% faster.
- Under comparable conditions, they grew almost 5% faster than natural ones.
The explanation lies in intensive management:
- Use of fast-growing species such as eucalyptus and poplar.
- Elimination of competing vegetation.
- Frequent fertilization.
Advantages and limits
According to landscape ecologist Yuhang Luo, forest plantations are effective for short-term carbon absorption, but their advantage is temporary. For long-term carbon storage and ecosystem resilience, natural forests remain irreplaceable.
This poses a dilemma: while plantations offer immediate benefits in the fight against climate change, natural forests ensure ecological stability and biodiversity in the long term.
The other Great Green Wall: Africa
Eleven African countries are promoting a similar project: the Great Green Wall of the Sahara and the Sahel. Their goal is to build a corridor of 8,000 km from Senegal to Djibouti.
Participating countries
Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
Highlighted impacts
- Soil and climate protection: moisture retention and creation of microclimates.
- Food security: agroforestry systems that combine trees and crops.
- Socioeconomic impact: creation of 10 million green jobs, reduction of migrations and conflicts.
- Carbon capture: millions of tons absorbed to mitigate climate change.
Comparison between projects
- China: focuses on monocultures of fast-growing species, with immediate benefits in carbon capture but risks of biodiversity loss.
- Africa: seeks to integrate trees and crops in agroforestry systems, with a more community-oriented and sustainable approach.
Both projects demonstrate how reforestation can be a powerful tool against desertification and climate change, albeit with different approaches.
The Great Green Wall of China and the Sahara-Sahel are examples of how humanity faces desertification and climate change with continental-scale projects.
Although plantations offer immediate benefits, experts warn that only natural forests guarantee long-term ecological resilience.
