What does site preparation involve for successful reforestation?

Site preparation is a critical step in the reforestation process and primarily involves the clearing or controlling of existing vegetation. This is essential for ensuring that newly planted seedlings have the best opportunity to thrive. By removing or managing competing vegetation, resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients can be more readily available for the young trees, leading to better survival rates and growth.

While fertilizing the soil, planting new seedlings, and enhancing soil pH levels can all play a role in overall site management and plant health, they are not the fundamental aspects of site preparation. Effective site preparation focuses specifically on creating an environment that reduces competition from weeds and other plants, thus facilitating a more successful establishment of the forest.