Here’s an Ecological Way to Speed Towards Reforestation

A purely ecological reforestation method originating from Japan is used to restore nature to its original state in the Brazilian Amazon in urban and rural areas alike, and within six years, impressive results can be seen, much to the delight of the population, the government, and activists.

“[The Miyawaki method’s] advantage is the recovery and enrichment of the soil by putting life into that area,” explains Carlos Alberto Correa, agronomist and forestry engineer. “The fauna is going to come back, whether it is terrestrial or aerial, because you have a collection of species that will attract those animals and that will feed on those fruits.”

To follow the Miyawaki method, three conditions must be met: the trees must be native, species must be randomly mixed, and the soil and tree seedlings must be free from chemical or artificial substances. The method – whose name comes from Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki – is met with success because it understands the relationship between trees and plants, animals, and other organisms, thus creating a living ecosystem that continuously renovates itself. Seedlings start their journey in a nursery for three months. They grow their root system in a soil full of organic materials – açai stone, black earth, rice straw, residue from the extraction of castor seed oil, and coconut fiber, or a mix of rice straw, sawdust, chicken droppings, urine, feed remnants, and feathers – in an environment with 50% shade. Once the seedlings are at least 30 cm tall, they are moved to a sunnier spot for the adaptation phase after which three of them are planted randomly within a one-square meter area. After two years of monitoring, the results are already impressive, proof that if left alone, abundance prevails. Within six years, the forest has regained its rights. The country’s new administration wishes to achieve zero deforestation and regenerate degraded land, and the Miyawaki method could very well make that goal a reality.