Protect young secondary forests for optimum carbon removal
- Jul 23, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 22
A 2025 study finds young secondary forests are top carbon sinks, urging protection of natural regrowth to maximize climate mitigation potential.
A new study reveals that young secondary forests—forests regrowing after disturbance—hold untapped potential to remove massive amounts of atmospheric carbon. Led by Viola Heinrich from the University of Exeter, this global analysis of 11 million reforested plots shows that letting secondary forests grow uninterrupted offers a cost-effective, scalable, and ecologically sound solution to carbon dioxide removal (CDR).
Instead of relying solely on costly carbon capture technologies, the study argues for protecting these naturally regenerating forests, especially in the tropics, where they store the most carbon. The findings suggest that current reforestation efforts could be optimized by prioritizing the preservation of young forests during their most productive years.
Key Findings: Natural Regrowth is a Carbon Powerhouse
Peak Carbon Removal Happens Within the First 30 Years
Young secondary forests remove carbon at the highest rates—averaging 6.2 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare per year globally.
This rate peaks between 11 and 20 years after regrowth, then gradually declines.
In tropical areas, carbon removal reaches over 10 tCO₂/ha/year, much higher than temperate zones.
Protecting Young Forests Is Crucial
Roughly 50% of secondary forests are less than 20 years old, making them especially important for climate mitigation in the near term.
However, many of these forests are at risk of being cleared for agriculture or degraded before reaching their peak carbon uptake.
Region-Specific Strategies Enhance Impact
Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia have the greatest potential for carbon removal via secondary forests.
In tropical Latin America, for example, young forests can remove 14.5 tCO₂/ha/year in the first decade after regrowth.
Secondary Forests Complement Other Climate Solutions
While not a replacement for emissions reductions, natural forest regrowth provides an essential negative emissions pathway.
The study supports integrating secondary forests into nature-based climate strategies alongside afforestation and forest restoration.
Why This Matters: Nature-Based Solutions Done Right
Secondary forests are often overlooked in climate policy, yet they offer a practical solution that’s already in motion. Unlike plantations or new afforestation, these forests regrow spontaneously and don’t require extensive planting or infrastructure.
Critically, natural regeneration is more biodiverse than monoculture plantations and supports ecosystem recovery. Letting these forests mature without interruption ensures that their full carbon sequestration potential is realized.
Protect the Forests That Protect Us
This study urges policymakers to recognize the immense value of secondary forests, particularly in the tropics. By protecting these landscapes during their most productive years, we can harness a natural, cost-effective, and scalable method to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
As climate deadlines loom, the path to meaningful carbon removal might not lie in high-tech fixes, but in simply letting nature do its work.
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