How agri intensification can save our forests

By boosting productivity on existing land dedicated to agriculture, the world could see an end to global deforestation, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Human activities, severe climatic events, fires, pests, diseases and other environmental disturbances may degrade forests and thereby reduce the provision of forest goods and services, biodiversity values, productivity and health. Forest degradation may also negatively affect other land uses, for example by affecting groundwater recharge, and cause the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Human-induced land degradation and desertification, water scarcity and climate change are increasing the levels of risk for agricultural production and ecosystem services. Converging evidence indicates that, as agriculture intensifies, so too does the extent and severity of land degradation in terms of soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and salinisation. Human-induced degradation affects 34% of all agricultural land; one-fifth of this human-induced degraded land is in sub-Saharan Africa, 17% is in South America, and 11% is in North America and South Asia combined.

Forests have the potential to provide solutions to several growing socio-economic and environmental challenges of planetary proportions. We put forward three forest- and tree-based pathways, on the understanding that any solutions have economic, social and environmental implications that need to be addressed holistically. These pathways are: halting deforestation and maintaining forests; restoring degraded lands and expanding agroforestry; and sustainably using forests and building green value chains.

Each requires integrating and balancing environmental concerns with societal and economic needs, including those for recovery and sustainable development; integrating solutions to take advantage of synergies; and reducing inefficiencies to build a better and more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.