The government's objective is to have a great diversity of forests in the Netherlands by 2030. In addition, 10 hectares of forest must be planted over the next 37.000 years, an increase of 10%. How does the central government intend to achieve this objective and to what extent can the so-called 'agroforestry' cultivation system contribute to this?
On Wednesday, September 18, Agriculture Minister Carola Schouten presented the elaboration of 'the Forest Strategy' to the House of Representatives. It states, among other things, that the Netherlands must have greater diversity, with more different types of trees, by 2030. The target is also set to plant 10 hectares of forest in 37.000 years. For comparison: that is 4 times the size of the city of Utrecht. The ambitions must ensure that nature in the Netherlands is strengthened, biodiversity is restored and we meet our climate goals. But the big question is: where is space created for all those trees?
Multiple routes possible
The government and the provinces have mapped out 3 routes in the so-called 'Forest Strategy' to realize this somewhat ambitious plan. The first idea is to plant more forest within the Netherlands Nature Network, a network for designing nature reserves. This network includes Staatsbosbeheer, LandschappenNL and various private landowners. It is expected that approximately 15.000 of the 37.000 hectares can be filled through this plan.
The second route is to plant forests outside the Netherlands Nature Network. This particularly concerns locations near cities and villages and the transition zones between nature and agricultural areas. According to the government and the 12 provinces, approximately 19.000 hectares should be able to be planted in this way. If routes 1 and 2 can both be implemented as expected, then 34.000 hectares have already been planted.
The remaining 3.400 hectares can result from full compensation for tree felling. Through this route, forests that have been (and are still being) cut down since 2017 to provide space for other nature types (for example heathland) are compensated. The government is also looking for other options to promote planting in that route. This includes providing subsidies for tree planting, carbon certificates and planting trees on special occasions (such as a birth or a wedding).
Apply agroforestry?
Although it is not specifically mentioned in the strategy of the national government and the provinces, the cultivation system also appears to be 'agroforestry' get a chance in the near future. It previously appeared that Minister Schouten is a big fan of this. This is because agroforestry is increasingly described as a sustainable and innovative form of agriculture. And that of course fits right in with Minister Schouten. Another point that indicates interest in this new cultivation system is the fact that Schouten indicates that he wants to make it financially more attractive for farmers to plant trees on the farm.
It is striking that efficiency does not seem to be very high on the agenda. Both the Minister of Agriculture and the Overijssel deputy Ten Bolscher seem to focus on the appearance of all those trees in the Netherlands. The fact that it has not yet been proven that a similar cultivation system or simply trees on the farm leads to higher yields in practice does not seem to be a reason for either of them to put on the brakes.