In a groundbreaking new study, researchers have found that replacing oil palm plantations with native tree species on small islands can restore important ecosystem services. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, suggest that restoring native tree species on small islands could help mitigate the impacts of global warming and provide a source of renewable energy. The study found that restoring native tree species on small islands can increase carbon storage, improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, and increase biodiversity. The study also found that restoring native tree species on small islands can reduce the risk of catastrophic fires and reduce the environmental impacts of oil palm plantations. This research provides an important foundation for the development of sustainable management strategies for small islands, and could have wide-reaching implications for the conservation of tropical forests worldwide.

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source: Phys.org