Should tree invasions be justified as a way to mitigate climate change in treeless ecosystems?

NUÑEZ, MARTÍN A.; DAVIS, KT; DIMARCO, ROMINA D; PELTZER, DA; PARITSIS, J; MAXWELL, BD; PAUCHARD, A

FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

ECOLOGICAL SOC AMER

Año: 2021

1540-9295

Invasion by non-native trees into treeless vegetation may seem an appealing contribution to climate change mitigation by increasing carbon sequestration. In some areas of the world, there are incentives to retain invasive non-native trees in natural systems as a mechanism for increasing ecosystem carbon storage and reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. Although this may appear like a new opportunity for carbon sequestration it has several problems: 1) Invasive trees do not always cause a net increase in carbon sequestration because of associated increases in fire activity or reductions in soil carbon; 2) Lower albedo in invaded areas can increase absorption of solar radiation thereby offsetting potential carbon sequestration; 3) Tree invasions often have additional negative effects on biodiversity, economic opportunities, and water yield. These problems are sufficient to stymy the widespread use of tree invasions as a tool for climate change amelioration.