Leaving forests to regrow naturally 'could be better option than replanting'

Study says potential for natural regrowth to absorb carbon has been substantially underestimated

The costly and difficult work of replanting forests that have been cut down may not be the only way to restore the Earth's carbon-absorbing capacities, research has found, as allowing trees to grow back naturally without intervention could offer a cheaper alternative.

Keeping forests standing is still a better way to reduce the impact of the climate crisis, but in large areas of the world, forest and scrubland has already been cleared or degraded in some way, through deforestation, failed agriculture or some other exploitation. Often, the loggers, prospectors and ranchers quickly move on, leaving devastation in their wake.