Reforestation stands out among plant-based strategies to combat climate change, according to a landmark new study published in Science.

The study, which was conducted by NYBG Assistant Curator Evelyn Beaury, Ph.D., and colleagues, evaluated the effectiveness and biodiversity impacts of three scalable approaches to plant-based climate mitigation, including reforestation (restoring forests in places where they have historically grown), afforestation (adding forests in places like savannahs and grasslands), and bioenergy cropping (farming plants for renewable energy). The team of scientists modeled the impact of these strategies on the area of habitat for over 14,000 animal species.

Many countries globally have committed to net-zero emissions plans, which include large-scale deployment of plant-based mitigation strategies. It is often assumed that in mitigating climate change, these strategies also benefit biodiversity. But as this paper shows, plant-based strategies have disproportionate affects in the various places in which they are deployed. As such, it is important to understand which strategies are best for the biodiversity in these regions.

The team found that overall, reforestation is beneficial for biodiversity both locally, by increasing habitat, and globally, by mitigating climate change. The other two strategies studied—bioenergy crops and afforestation—may address climate change, but could displace habitat for many species across the globe.

“Reforestation is an obvious ‘win-win’ for biodiversity,” said Dr. Beaury. “Restoring lost forest provides habitat as well as reduces the impacts of climate change.”

Dr. Beaury works in NYBG’s Center for Conservation and Restoration Ecology, which works to expand NYBG’s collaborations with conservation initiatives worldwide. Through the findings of this study, Dr. Beaury and the other authors argue that policy makers should consider impacts on biodiversity when evaluating plant-based climate mitigation strategies.

By providing a global quantitative assessment of the potential impacts of plant-based solutions on biodiversity, this study is a crucial next step in using nature as a solution toward combating climate change.