CASE STUDY

Is planting non-native species in a forest
necessarily bad?

Objectives

  • Solicit an impact and risk assessment of a forest project due to a lack of in-house expertise and the necessary tools and data

  • Mitigate reputation risks

Results

  • Uncovered that the trees in the project included invasive non-native species which could impede the environmental and biodiversity impact claims

  • Issue identified as a potential red flag for our client which require further investigation and analysis 

  • Further analysis showed that the non-native species did not exhibit their invasive behaviour in that region

  • Evidence registered and potential red flag removed

THE CASE

Client Y was looking to support an agroforestry project in Asia seeking to restore degraded farmland by planting native and non-native species. The client was sensitive to reputational issues because part of their objectives was to include this project in their sustainability impact communications.

Due to a lack of in-house expertise on nature-based solutions, Y contracted Xilva to conduct a due diligence on the impact and risks of the project and identify potential issues that might change their decision. 

WHAT XILVA GRADE UNCOVERED

Xilva found that the non-native species introduced was Leucaena leucocephala, a legume from Central America widely used for its excellent forage. The project developer included this species because the young pods were edible and were included in the dishes of this part of Asia. The farmers loved it. However, this plant is also one of the 100 worst invasive species, according to the IUCN.

Xilva continued to conduct a deeper analysis which included reviewing recent research* available on the topic of invasive plant species (in particular Leucaena leucocephala in this part of Asia). This led our team to conclude satisfactorily that this species does not develop its invasive properties in this area. We registered all evidence and deactivated the red flag.

HOW WE DID IT

As part of the Xilva GRADE process which evaluates Impact, Xilva team conducted an evaluation of the biodiversity & ecosystems by:

  • Checking the tree species planted or to be planted to assess their impact on local flora and fauna

  • Cross checking the tree and plant species with those in similar and neighboring projects in Asia

  • Reviewing recent scientific research on the concerned plant species

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

For the non-NbS specialists, non-native species may raise a red flag. However one needs to evaluate the exhibited characteristics of a non-native species in their environment. In this case, the non-native species (originally from Central America) do not become invasive in the region of Asia and thus do not pose any threat to the local biodiversity.



*one of the sources: http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/speciesname/Leucaena+leucocephala

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