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The threat of the tree planting pandemic: an exploration of the implications of restoration projects for grassy biomes in Southern Africa and the agenda behind their vigorous promotion

Dijkstra, Eva Alise Kyra LU (2023) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20232
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Large-scale restoration projects are being increasingly used to address land degradation and global climate change. While these initiatives are promising, an overemphasis on tree planting may contribute to ecological degradation and carbon loss. This thesis critically examines the AFR100 initiative in southern Africa through literature analysis and expert interviews. By integrating perspectives from carbon commodification and post-colonialist studies, this research reveals that most of the AFR100 countries actively promote afforestation and plantation expansion as part of their ‘restoration’ goals. This affects the ecological functioning of tropical grassy biomes since they are seen as degraded or deforested areas. This study illustrates... (More)
Large-scale restoration projects are being increasingly used to address land degradation and global climate change. While these initiatives are promising, an overemphasis on tree planting may contribute to ecological degradation and carbon loss. This thesis critically examines the AFR100 initiative in southern Africa through literature analysis and expert interviews. By integrating perspectives from carbon commodification and post-colonialist studies, this research reveals that most of the AFR100 countries actively promote afforestation and plantation expansion as part of their ‘restoration’ goals. This affects the ecological functioning of tropical grassy biomes since they are seen as degraded or deforested areas. This study illustrates the influence of carbon commodification and post-colonialist thought on global restoration efforts and advocates for the inclusion of non-forested biomes in climate change mitigation schemes. It further calls for a shift toward more inclusive governance and emissions reduction as the ultimate goal. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Dijkstra, Eva Alise Kyra LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20232
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
AFR100, Forest landscape restoration, Post-colonialism, Tropical grassy biomes, Sustainability Science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2023:052
language
English
id
9141702
date added to LUP
2023-11-27 15:48:38
date last changed
2023-11-27 15:48:38
@misc{9141702,
  abstract     = {{Large-scale restoration projects are being increasingly used to address land degradation and global climate change. While these initiatives are promising, an overemphasis on tree planting may contribute to ecological degradation and carbon loss. This thesis critically examines the AFR100 initiative in southern Africa through literature analysis and expert interviews. By integrating perspectives from carbon commodification and post-colonialist studies, this research reveals that most of the AFR100 countries actively promote afforestation and plantation expansion as part of their ‘restoration’ goals. This affects the ecological functioning of tropical grassy biomes since they are seen as degraded or deforested areas. This study illustrates the influence of carbon commodification and post-colonialist thought on global restoration efforts and advocates for the inclusion of non-forested biomes in climate change mitigation schemes. It further calls for a shift toward more inclusive governance and emissions reduction as the ultimate goal.}},
  author       = {{Dijkstra, Eva Alise Kyra}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{The threat of the tree planting pandemic: an exploration of the implications of restoration projects for grassy biomes in Southern Africa and the agenda behind their vigorous promotion}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}