Jump to content
science

Fast-growing mini-forests spring up in Europe to aid climate


FfFfFfFF

Featured Posts

FfFfFfFF

2048.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=forma

Tiny, dense forests are springing up around Europe as part of a movement aimed at restoring biodiversity and fighting the climate crisis. They are based on the work of the Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, who has planted more than 1,000 such forests in Japan, Malaysia and elsewhere. 

Advocates for the method say the miniature forests grow 10 times faster and become 30 times denser and 100 times more biodiverse than those planted by conventional methods. This result is achieved by planting saplings close together, three per square metre, using native varieties adapted to local conditions.

Scientists say such ecosystems are key to meeting climate goals, estimating that natural forests can store 40 times more carbon than single-species plantations. The Miyawaki forests are designed to regenerate land in far less time than the 70-plus years it takes a forest to recover on its own.

4608.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=forma

The higher biodiversity is due partly to the forests’ young age and openness, explained Fabrice Ottburg, an animal ecologist who led the Wageningen study. This allows more sunlight to reach flowering plants that attract pollinators.

Diversity is also boosted by planting multiple species, which “provide more variety in food and shelter for a higher diversity of animals like insects, snails, butterflies, amphibians, bugs, grasshoppers”, Ottburg said.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/13/fast-growing-mini-forests-spring-up-in-europe-to-aid-climate

Link to post
Share on other sites

Seeka

We need to be doing everything we can. This is promising. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Lucas

Wow! Let's hope the whole world will start using this method then, I'm always wondering why governments don't plant trees when we all know it's one of the best ways to fight climate change while also probably being the cheapest...

Like if you can grow a full forest in 7 years which is 30 times denser and 100 times more biodiverse than the normal way, the whole world should start now...

Link to post
Share on other sites

This brings my heart a lot of satisfaction. I’m so thankful for the people who do care and want to make things better for everyone, including the flora and fauna :giveup: 

fragment-fragment--bul-uh...scab-uh..fragment-foot, bullet fragment foot bich!
Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...