Abstract

Large-scale tree plantation initiatives are increasingly recognized as viable solutions for carbon sequestration, land restoration, and ecological enhancement. However, the dominance of monoculture plantations prioritizing a few economically valuable species poses significant risks to biodiversity and ecosystem stability. We highlight the ecological drawbacks of homogenous plantations, including their reduced resilience to pests, climate change, and soil degradation. It underscores the importance of tree diversity in enhancing soil microbial communities, maintaining ecosystem functionality, and supporting habitat conservation. Mixed-species plantations, which mimic natural forest ecosystems, offer a sustainable alternative by promoting biodiversity while maintaining ecological balance. This correspondence is a call for policy interventions, scientific planning, and community engagement to integrate biodiversity conservation into afforestation programs. Sustainable tree plantation strategies that emphasize species diversity are essential for mitigating the adverse ecological impacts of monocultures and ensuring longterm environmental resilience.