Public and some environmental groups criticize the management of Pinus plantations because Pinus is an exotic species for South Asia. They are highlight higher water consumption, higher soil erosion and invasiveness over other tree species. It is true, agricultural lands/ mono-crops do not function as natural eco-systems, which consumes more resources and lack biodiversity. However, if we compare forest plantation species, Is Pinus the worst?
Do these plantations have such kind impacts over other agricultural or plantation crops such as Tea, Rubber, Coconut or other forest plantations?
Is any scientific evidence for the negative environmental impacts?
Not all pine trees in India are exotic. Pinus roxburghii, Pinus wallichiana , Pinus gerardiana are found in Himalayas. But, planting them artificially is a different matter. There are places in Himalayas where the soil is too loose, or there is a hard rock. In the first case, the pines fall down early as the soil does not support tall trees. And in the second case, when the tapering roots of the pine trees penetrate the hard rock, it causes weathering and the ecology of that place gets altered.
Manjushri Parasnis Thank you for the answer. Do you have any experience with the impact of planted Pinus species on groundwater?
Not practical experience, but my study makes me state that the roots go very deep and the natural Pines are able to survive very well. But, the moment humans decide to plant them artificially, and if the project is not ecologically well thought out, the chances are that the ground water will face overconsumption and hence deprive other vegetation even the required amount of water.
I worked on the biodiversity of tree species in reforestation in the forests of northern Iran and found to the conclusion that conifers do not reduce biodiversity.
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