Limited effects of tree planting on forest canopy cover and rural livelihoods in Northern India

Eric A. Coleman (), Bill Schultz, Vijay Ramprasad, Harry Fischer, Pushpendra Rana, Anthony M. Filippi, Burak Güneralp, Andong Ma, Claudia Rodriguez Solorzano, Vijay Guleria, Rajesh Rana and Forrest Fleischman
Additional contact information
Eric A. Coleman: Florida State University
Bill Schultz: University of Chicago
Vijay Ramprasad: Centre for Ecology Development and Research
Harry Fischer: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Pushpendra Rana: Indian Forest Service
Anthony M. Filippi: Texas A&M University
Burak Güneralp: Texas A&M University
Andong Ma: Texas A&M University
Claudia Rodriguez Solorzano: University of Minnesota
Vijay Guleria: Kangra Integrated Sciences and Adaptation Network
Rajesh Rana: Kangra Integrated Sciences and Adaptation Network
Forrest Fleischman: University of Minnesota

Nature Sustainability, 2021, vol. 4, issue 11, 997-1004

Abstract: Abstract Many countries have adopted large-scale tree planting programmes as a climate mitigation strategy and to support local livelihoods. We evaluate a series of large-scale tree planting programmes using data collected from historical Landsat imagery in the state of Himachal Pradesh in Northern India. Using this panel dataset, we use an event study design to estimate the socioeconomic and biophysical impacts over decades of these programmes. We find that tree plantings have not, on average, increased the proportion of forest canopy cover and have modestly shifted forest composition away from the broadleaf varieties valued by local people. Further cross-sectional analysis, from a household livelihood survey, shows that tree planting supports little direct use by local people. We conclude that decades of expensive tree planting programmes in this region have not proved effective. This result suggests that large-scale tree planting may sometimes fail to achieve its climate mitigation and livelihood goals.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00761-z

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