Tree Planting and Restoration Strategies

Governments in Latin America are incentivizing farmers and communities to restore degraded lands by paying them to plant trees, which helps store carbon and protect biodiversity. Costa Rica and Guatemala have successful programs that pay per tree planted, benefiting both the environment and local economies. The analysis of these programs highlights the importance of transparency and investment in native species. Global commitments, like those made at COP26, emphasize the need for public incentives to support landscape restoration.

What is one of the main benefits of planting trees in the right places?

• Enhancing soil erosion

• Storing carbon dioxide

• Increasing urban development

• Reducing water levels

How much does Costa Rica pay landholders per tree for reforestation?

• $2.50

• $2

• $1.50

• $1

Since when has Guatemala been paying communities for tree planting?

• 2005

• 2000

• 1997

• 2010

What metric is used to simplify the analysis of restoration programs?

• Cost per hectare

• Cost per community

• Cost per tree

• Cost per forest

What can policymakers do to improve restoration programs?

• Focus on non-native species

• Reduce tree planting

• Boost transparency with monitoring

• Increase urbanization

Why is it important to focus on biodiverse native trees?

• They require less water

• They are cheaper to plant

• They enhance ecosystem resilience

• They grow faster

What must governments do to ensure restoration payments are effective?

• Encourage deforestation

• Increase taxes on forest products

• Promote sustainable economic value

• Convert forests to farmland

What was a key commitment made at the COP26 climate conference?

• Reducing carbon emissions by 50%

• Protecting nature and biodiversity

• Expanding urban areas

• Increasing fossil fuel usage

What is one solution that cannot be ignored for landscape restoration?

• Strengthening public incentives

• Increasing urban development

• Focusing on non-native species

• Reducing tree planting