Abstract
Decades of deforestation and unsustainable land use have created extensive areas of degraded and deforested land across the central Congo Basin, contributing substantially to climate change and biodiversity loss. Recently, nature-based solutions have gained increasing interest, particularly those focusing on forest restoration for long-term carbon sequestration and additional societal benefits for human well-being. Thus, forest restoration, especially with native species, offers a viable pathway to address environmental and social challenges while supporting local communities. However, both technical and scientific knowledge about many native species' performance in large-scale plantations, which could serve the current and future needs of central African countries, is currently lacking. To address these knowledge gaps, we established an experimental plantation in Yangambi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to evaluate the potential of native tree species in comparison with the fast-growing exotic species Acacia auriculiformis, which is often planted in monoculture at a large-scale in the central Congo Basin. From 37 promising native species initially selected, the seeds of 19 were successfully harvested from the natural forest. Among these, 16 species yielded sufficient seedlings in the nursery and were planted in the field. After five years, five native species ( Pachyelasma tessmannii, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Irvingia smithii, Ongokea gore, and Canarium schweinfurthii ) demonstrated growth, survival, and carbon sequestration performance comparable to Acacia auriculiformis . This illustrates that local tree species are promising alternatives for exotic species. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to optimize the large-scale production of native seedlings, including improving seed conservation and nursery techniques. Drawing on the ongoing forest restoration initiatives in Yangambi, we emphasize the importance of integrating local knowledge and actively involving local communities to ensure the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of tree-planting efforts, benefiting both nature and human well-being. • Based on local knowledge, 37 native species were selected; 19 harvested and 16 yielded enough seedlings for planting. • Five native species matched Acacia auriculiformis in growth, survival, and carbon sequestration after 5 years. • More research will boost native seedling production by improving seed storage and optimizing nursery success.
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Claims 7
Claim · model-written summary
Seeds were harvested for 19 of 37 selected native tree species.
Verbatim
e0“From 37 promising native species initially selected, the seeds of 19 were successfully harvested from the natural forest.”
t0“native tree species”
Claim · model-written summary
Sixteen harvested native species yielded enough nursery seedlings for field planting.
Verbatim
e0“Among these, 16 species yielded sufficient seedlings in the nursery and were planted in the field.”
t0“native tree species”
Claim · model-written summary
Five native species had growth comparable to Acacia auriculiformis after five years.
- Taxon
- Pachyelasma tessmannii, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Irvingia smithii, Ongokea gore, and Canarium schweinfurthii
.jpg?width=60)
Piptadeniastrum africanumPachyelasma tessmanniiOngokea gore
Canarium schweinfurthii
Irvingia smithiie0 - Outcome
- growthe0
- Direction
- comparablee0
- Value
- five native speciese0
- Qualifier
- After five yearse0
- Comparator
- Acacia auriculiformise0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e0“After five years, five native species ( Pachyelasma tessmannii, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Irvingia smithii, Ongokea gore, and Canarium schweinfurthii ) demonstrated growth, survival, and carbon sequestration performance comparable to Acacia auriculiformis .”
Claim · model-written summary
The same five native species had survival comparable to Acacia auriculiformis after five years.
- Taxon
- Pachyelasma tessmannii, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Irvingia smithii, Ongokea gore, and Canarium schweinfurthiiPiptadeniastrum africanumPachyelasma tessmanniiOngokea goreCanarium schweinfurthiiIrvingia smithiie0
- Outcome
- survivale0
- Direction
- comparablee0
- Qualifier
- After five yearse0
- Comparator
- Acacia auriculiformise0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“After five years, five native species ( Pachyelasma tessmannii, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Irvingia smithii, Ongokea gore, and Canarium schweinfurthii ) demonstrated growth, survival, and carbon sequestration performance comparable to Acacia auriculiformis .”
Claim · model-written summary
The same five native species had carbon sequestration performance comparable to Acacia auriculiformis after five years.
- Taxon
- Pachyelasma tessmannii, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Irvingia smithii, Ongokea gore, and Canarium schweinfurthiiPiptadeniastrum africanumPachyelasma tessmanniiOngokea goreCanarium schweinfurthiiIrvingia smithiie0
- Outcome
- carbon sequestration performancee0
- Direction
- comparablee0
- Qualifier
- After five yearse0
- Comparator
- Acacia auriculiformise0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“After five years, five native species ( Pachyelasma tessmannii, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Irvingia smithii, Ongokea gore, and Canarium schweinfurthii ) demonstrated growth, survival, and carbon sequestration performance comparable to Acacia auriculiformis .”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors recommend improving seed conservation and nursery techniques for large-scale native seedling production.
Verbatim
e0“further research is necessary to optimize the large-scale production of native seedlings, including improving seed conservation and nursery techniques”
t0“native tree species”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors recommend local knowledge and community involvement in tree planting efforts.
Verbatim
e0“we emphasize the importance of integrating local knowledge and actively involving local communities to ensure the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of tree-planting efforts”
t0“native tree species”