The ecologist revealing the invisible networks that revive rainforests

Forest ecologist Daisy Dent of ETH Zurich is conducting long-term research in Panama’s Barro Colorado Nature Monument to understand how tropical forests naturally regenerate. Her work challenges the effectiveness of large-scale monocrop tree-planting initiatives, which are often promoted as carbon-crediting solutions. By tracking decades of forest growth, Dent demonstrates that natural regeneration, supported by complex interactions between plants and seed-dispersing animals like monkeys and bats, creates more resilient and carbon-efficient ecosystems. Her research suggests that instead of artificial interventions, protecting these biological networks can be a more effective, low-cost strategy for reforestation. With millions of hectares globally suitable for natural regrowth, Dent’s findings provide a data-driven playbook for restoration. Her work emphasizes that the key to capturing carbon and sustaining biodiversity lies in fostering the natural relationships between fungi, pollinators, and seed-distributors rather than relying solely on human-led planting efforts.