Carbon Sink Potential of Green Belt Afforestation

In the fight against climate change, forest ecosystems and green belt afforestation that draw down atmospheric carbon dioxide are vital carbon sinks. Beyond carbon storage, these practices deliver multifaceted ecosystem services such as erosion prevention, biodiversity conservation, and the improvement of air quality. This review examines the effects of green belt afforestation on carbon sinks in the light of the national and international literature. Applications worldwide China’s Three-North Shelterbelt, Africa’s Great Green Wall, and schemes in Europe demonstrate that substantial amounts of carbon are stored in biomass and soil. However, large-scale projects in arid and semi-arid regions, as in China, can adversely affect the hydrological balance by increasing water consumption. This makes it essential to strike a delicate balance between carbon capture and the management of water resources. Consequently, the success of green belt projects should not be measured solely by the number of seedlings planted. In future projects, carbon capacity, water balance, and biodiversity should be evaluated together, and ecosystem-based planning should be undertaken in the right place and with the right species.

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