Science-Driven Methods for Scaling Afforestation of Dry Grass-Dominated Landscapes
Project Overview
Restoring grass-dominated landscapes into resilient forested ecosystems is a key strategy for addressing the growing risk of wildfire Hawaiʻi. However, conventional afforestation efforts typically require regular maintenance due to the persistent invasion of grasses in planted areas. In collaboration with Native Hawaiian Organizations, researchers supported by this Pacific Islands CASC project will test dense plantings of keystone species and intensive mulching, aiming to restore traditional agroforest ecosystems that support cultural practices and improve disaster mitigation.
Public Summary
With the growing threat of wildfires in Hawaiʻi, highlighted by recent events such as the Lahaina wildfires, restoring grass-dominated landscapes into resilient forest ecosystems has become an urgent priority. Current afforestation efforts often get locked into cycles of maintenance due to the concept of “ecological stable states,” where ecosystems tend to reinforce existing conditions. For example, a grassland “wants” to continue being a grassland, so invasive grasses persist despite tree plantings. Because of this, effectively transitioning grasslands into forests requires strategic interventions rather than simply planting trees.
This project aims to develop innovative afforestation approaches that minimize the need for maintenance while successfully shift dry, grass-dominated landscapes into forests. In partnership with two Native Hawaiian organizations, the project team will establish on-site trial plots to test the effectiveness of using dense plantings of keystone species and intensive applications of mulch to improve afforestation outcomes. These trial plots will focus on scaling traditional land-management strategies, such as agroforestry, in areas that historically used as agroforestry systems prior to their decline over the past two centuries. Forest and agroforest landscapes with appropriate species can enhance ecosystem services, support cultural practices, and improve human health and wellbeing.
Systematically and rapidly shifting fire-prone grasslands to forests is a critical strategy for mitigating wildfire risks, which are expected to increase substantially with climate change. By improving afforestation methods, this project will support the restoration of biocultural landscapes while improving disaster mitigation, climate adaptation, and community preparedness.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 667d9745d34e678924864ea8)
Project Overview
Restoring grass-dominated landscapes into resilient forested ecosystems is a key strategy for addressing the growing risk of wildfire Hawaiʻi. However, conventional afforestation efforts typically require regular maintenance due to the persistent invasion of grasses in planted areas. In collaboration with Native Hawaiian Organizations, researchers supported by this Pacific Islands CASC project will test dense plantings of keystone species and intensive mulching, aiming to restore traditional agroforest ecosystems that support cultural practices and improve disaster mitigation.
Public Summary
With the growing threat of wildfires in Hawaiʻi, highlighted by recent events such as the Lahaina wildfires, restoring grass-dominated landscapes into resilient forest ecosystems has become an urgent priority. Current afforestation efforts often get locked into cycles of maintenance due to the concept of “ecological stable states,” where ecosystems tend to reinforce existing conditions. For example, a grassland “wants” to continue being a grassland, so invasive grasses persist despite tree plantings. Because of this, effectively transitioning grasslands into forests requires strategic interventions rather than simply planting trees.
This project aims to develop innovative afforestation approaches that minimize the need for maintenance while successfully shift dry, grass-dominated landscapes into forests. In partnership with two Native Hawaiian organizations, the project team will establish on-site trial plots to test the effectiveness of using dense plantings of keystone species and intensive applications of mulch to improve afforestation outcomes. These trial plots will focus on scaling traditional land-management strategies, such as agroforestry, in areas that historically used as agroforestry systems prior to their decline over the past two centuries. Forest and agroforest landscapes with appropriate species can enhance ecosystem services, support cultural practices, and improve human health and wellbeing.
Systematically and rapidly shifting fire-prone grasslands to forests is a critical strategy for mitigating wildfire risks, which are expected to increase substantially with climate change. By improving afforestation methods, this project will support the restoration of biocultural landscapes while improving disaster mitigation, climate adaptation, and community preparedness.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 667d9745d34e678924864ea8)