“Everything was changed. Even the air. Instead of the harsh dry winds that used to attack me, a gentle breeze was blowing, laden with scents. A sound like water came from the mountains: it was the wind in the forest.” – Jean Giono, The Man Who Planted Trees (L’homme qui plaintait des arbres)
Amazon River near Manaus. Creative Commons via Flickr by Neil Palmer (CIAT).
We’ve heard that the world’s forests are disappearing; the earth is going bald. In the last 20 years, an area the size of two Germanys has been logged out of the Amazon rainforest. At current rates, that rainforest may be gone in 100 years. Much of the cleared land is used for grazing cattle and growing soybeans.
Illegal mining is also a problem; the two images here show "before" and "after pictures" of the impact of a mining operation. The first image was taken in October 2015 and the second one in October 2017. These are courtesy of the Amazon Conservation organization's Monitoring of the Andean Amazon project. http://maaproject.org/
October 2015
October 2017
One of the tragedies of deforestation is how long it takes to re-grow a forest. But conservationists have a new method of re-planting trees that is much more efficient. This process doesn’t make trees grow more quickly and it certainly provides no justification for clearcutting virgin forest in the first place. But since this process vastly improves the survival rate of the trees and plants, it enables more forest to be regrown for a given amount of time and work.
The Muvuca Method
The new process is called muvuca (a Portuguese term that means ‘many people in a small place’). It involves planting not just one or two species, but native seeds representing a whole community of trees and plants. These can include big trees, small trees, fruit trees, bushes, berries, vines, and all manner of flora that belongs in the forests.
http://us14.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2e9f3527128e6ed6d086fc5b4&id=64400ed51b
History’s largest rainforest reforestation effort is underway right now in the Amazon. And the muvuca method is a key. Here is a short video about this effort to plant 73 million trees in Brazil.
The muvuca planting method seems to crowd the trees and plants too much. Yet it emphasizes the role that each of these organisms can play, some maturing in one season before others grow tall enough to fill the space. And the Darwinian struggle for resources (light, water, soil minerals) is certainly more natural than mono-cropping one species of tree in a tract of newly planted forest. Planting close together probably keeps the soil and roots from being dried out and scorched by the sun as well. Soon enough, the air beneath the canopy becomes humid, maintaining that moisture rather than losing it to the sunlight and wind.
The following short Virtual Reality (VR) film follows a native guide in the Amazon forest. The diversity of tree and plant species is very evident from watching this. Feel free to move around by clicking and dragging as you watch; you can get a 360 degree view. Bonus points if you spot any large reptiles.
Under the Canopy (VR Film – drag the screen for a 360 degree view):
The Man Who Planted Trees
The quotes in this post come from a remarkable little book that sits on my shelf. The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono is so small that it falls down frequently, not tall enough to stand for long amongst the taller books. But this little classic is a giant. It tells the fictional story of Elzeard Bouffier, a lonely shepherd who took to planting trees in the dry-windswept hills of France where the Alps meet Provence. “Nothing grew there but wild lavender,” noted the narrator.
As he tended his sheep, Bouoffier planted trees. Without a family to care for, this became his passion. It was a selfless indulgence, since he did not care for any recognition.
Over many years, Bouffier completely terraformed the land by planting and caring for his trees. The trees captured water and blocked wind; water brought other plants and animals. This richer land encouraged agriculture and vibrant villages where people started businesses, raised families, and enjoyed water fountains.
If you prefer a video, someone has turned the book and illustrations into a wonderful little movie here:
Can this be done in real life? Oh yes. Here are two examples of modern day Elzeard Bouffiers.
One Man Plants 550 Hectares (1360 Acres) of New Trees Over 30 Years
“When I reflect that one man, armed only with his own physical and moral resources, was able to cause this land of Canaan to spring from the wasteland, I am convinced that in spite of everything, humanity is admirable.” – Jean Giono, The Man Who Planted Trees (L’homme qui plaintait des arbres)
Jadav “Molai” Payeng has planted a lot of trees in Assam, India. He became worried about the plight of the land after a flood brought some snakes downriver and many of them died in an area that had no trees for shade. Payeng began planting bamboo, which created new habitat there. He then worked with the government on tree planting in another area nearby. Once the program ended and other planters left, he kept doing it on his own.
The Molai Forest, which is named after him, now covers 550 hectares (1360 acres) adjacent to the Brahmaputra River. He has planted and maintained nearly all of the trees there by himself over a span of 30 years. The forest has become so rich in life that it is now a protected reserve which is home to Bengal tigers, elephants, Indian rhinoceros, and a great deal of other wildlife.
Here is a short video on Molai.
Re-“foresting” with Native Grasses
“As the water reappeared, so there reappeared willows, rushes, meadows, gardens, flowers, and a certain purpose in being alive.” – Jean Giono, The Man Who Planted Trees (L’homme qui plaintait des arbres)
In some cases, it’s not trees that are needed, but other native plants. David Bamberger made a fortune selling fried chicken in the U.S. and he used it to buy the worst piece of land he could find. It was overgrazed farmland in the Texas hill country. He has spent the last five decades cleaning it up and revitalizing the land.
The secret there was native grass plants. When he first bought the property, rain would come and the water would run off, not soaking into the ground. But Bamberger’s native grasses trap the water, which runs down their long roots. They introduce more organic matter into the ecosystem there and they prevent the ground from drying out.
Within a short time, the underground water table rose higher again, and natural springs appeared on the property. Now ponds on the property host lots of wildlife and other plant species. It has become a verdant and thriving ecosystem once again, thanks to Bamberger’s care and restoration of native plants.
Here is a wonderful short video showing Bamberger’s legacy.
In closing, let me say that these people are my heroes. I cannot imagine any higher calling than restoring the earth using trees and plants that are native to the region. It is long, tedious work that requires a big vision. These people have not sought glory and, like the fictional Elzeard Bouffier, they are quite content with the rewards of their work. Future generations may never know their names, but their enjoyment of nature will be gratitude enough. Let's hope we can maintain it and encourage a lot more people to keep planting.
Sources:
Largest Tropical Rainforest Reforestation Effort: https://www.fastcompany.com/40481305/the-largest-ever-tropical-reforestation-is-planting-73-million-trees
Muvuca Method: http://us14.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2e9f3527128e6ed6d086fc5b4&id=64400ed51b
Some Facts and Photos on Amazon Deforestation: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/meat-burgers-amazon-rainforest/
Jadav “Molai” Payeng: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jadav_Payeng
Devastating Impact of Mining: http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/10/world/wonder-list-bill-weir-peru-amazon-illegal-gold-mining/index.html
The Man Who Planted Trees. There are many different editions of this wonderful book. Here is one: https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Planted-Trees/dp/1933392819
The Man Who Planted Trees (plant sculpture) at the Montreal Botanical Garden:
Planting in Haiti (Food Not Bombs):
I love that you posted about this. It's such a wonderful life mission. I pyne for a large property that I can do the same with. But for now I have a little quarter acre in the city and with that it's my goal to add as much diversity as I can. While my neighbors have monocultured grass lawns I have a diversity of trees and shrubs and herbs and vines. And I have to remind myself that even this little bit helps. Hope I can become one of those quiet heroes to a larger ecosystem one of these days. Thanks for the inspiration. Following and looking into reading that little book ( :
Good luck for your work, may you get all the help you need from mother nature. We humans are both creators and destroyers, matters is which path we choose.
You get a bigger vote from me than other comments do because you are making a difference there by creating something much more important than a lawn. Great work and I hope you get a larger piece of land someday. Until then, keep up the great work greening the city!
never will be the same in AMAZON everthing it change ....
The reforestation of trees is so important to entire world and all living things. I am so excited to do my share and take part in a teak reforestation project in Panama soon. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Good people are the reason common folks like me feels life in my vein. These people are global warming environmentalist freedom fighters. planted like 10 trees myself so far this year just to feel good.
It's great to see people who care about nature. Hopefuly there will be more and more of them. Thanks for great job! Keep it up!
Tons of orange peel works great for reforestation. Just dump them there and come back in 8 years.
depends on the type of forest...
October 2015 - October 2017 OMG !
just 2 years has been like that.
basically human is a destroyer, we must be aware, and fix right before it's too late.
The destruction is sickening in some places. I know there are valuable resources there and people are attracted to the money, but some places are too valuable to destroy so easily.
Over here, government are the ones in charge in managing forests. It is advisable for everyone to have a tree too, I haven't planted mine yet tho. There's this sentence you said I really like,
Their names might be forgotten, but their works lives on. It's always good to make impacts in our various communities.
That's right. The work lives on and they are immortal, even if they are humble and do not care about attention.
What a wonderful legacy for the world. Beautiful trees and plants should be cultivated for everyone's health and enjoyment. In my hometown a woman stressed that there were very few trees in the area so she decided to plant trees on either side of the long boulevard through the center of town. Watering these trees until the root systems were established was major work. Over the years this beautiful boulevard is known now far and wide for its beauty.
Wonderful story, thank you! If someone like her comes onto Steemit, I'll use my rewards power to give a big thanks. And I'm sure people enjoying those trees are thanking her every day, even she believed the trees were enough of a reward.
-Indeed!
There's no need to spray chemicals in the clouds!
Your post is a very good initiative of restoring our natural resources. before it could be done, there is a desire, and you are helping to add more desire on caring for our mother nature, we thank you for that. I myself love to be more with nature than the city coz maybe i grew up in the city.
Absolutely. Let's encourage that desire. Anyone who restores our natural resources has my thanks.
@donkeypong This is great, being pro active to ensure earths abundance like this will bring joy to many more generations 😁
A lot of my post is dedicated especially to nature, but few times i tag it as nature, some are entertainment, some are fun, and travel, but most of it has to do with nature. the energy is there, life, things we never imagine, places, breath taking scene. We can’t let this things be lost forever because of human doings like pollution, cutting of trees. My post are more on enjoying this things called nature but yours is restoring what i enjoy, because of that i respect you a lot 👍
You should change the description of your blog. It doesn't fit what you exactly do.
Not everyone understands it, but that's exactly what I do.
please vote my post
https://steemit.com/pliz/@mdtusher123/hello-my-friends
please vote my post
https://steemit.com/pliz/@mdtusher123/hello-my-friends
Self promotion could make your reputation a whale snack!
Your Reputation Could be a Tasty Snack with the Wrong Comment!
Thank You! ⚜
This post demonstrates the power of individuals. It shows one person can make a difference.
Even though I only have a small lot in a small city, I have landscaped with edible plants. Elderberries screen the backyard. Blueberries and currants in the frontward.
I wait for neighbors to bag fallen leaves. I collect them before the city gets them for my compost and garden mulch.
Nothing is worse than smelling the neighborhood after the lawn care companies assault the local environment. Those little yellow warning signs should say stupid humans live here.
That's great. Edible plants are wonderful to have in a home garden for sure. Yes, I use neighborhood leaves also. It makes little sense to pay someone to take those away or use a gas-powered leaf blower and then go to the store to buy mulch or compost. Just use the leaves. :)
What a story! Thank you for posting about this, its so good to have an insight into such a great community. Thanks again @donkeypong
Amazing post, thank you so much for sharing. I will dive deeper into each project when i find the time. Keep up the good work. Greetings, Leon!
Every backyard owner should plant even small fruit bearing trees sso that it also can provide foods for their families.
Hiii dear @donkeypong, very informative and impressive article with lovely pictures and convey a strong message for rebuild natural sources that encourge for better work. muvuca planting method is very useful method for replanting. i appreciate your efforts. love that.
you are right thank you
Jadev certainly is amazing. What a wondrous (and inspiring) thing for one individual to do -- to cultivate, to cause to 'spring to life', to germinate.
I am in AWE of this great Human being ! Thanks for sharing details of him. He helped much wildlife - the Tiger, elephant & rhino should be grateful indeed.
So darn happy to learn of this reforestation effort ! The muvuca method sounds promising .
Liked the IMAGE of The Man Who Planted Trees (plant sculpture) ♦♦ His cape - it reminds me of what I see in the Rose Parade ! ☻☻
I hate Muvuca, but I love Amazonas. It scares me how mankind is capable to devastate such big places like Amazonas... like giant grasshoppers. But I am glad that kind elves walk among us to repare the mistakes.
the trees guarantee the future. It is an excellent job.
Absolutely better title of reforestation blog you sharing yo society. I am really nature lover as you too. Trees and plant including all of environment give huge assistance for humanity. They create Oxygen most important for humanity. If so why humans destroyed biggest nature? Currently lost much nature properties bcoz humans worst activities. I give suggestion to all countries government need to take responsibilities and increase their law rules for nature destroyers.
I cannot acceptable re-forestation, it would be good but we dont know & we cant guess how many period waste those projects.Its huge problem. All of states done yet and unstoppable. Reforestation better town location. Your blog has lot of important contents. We need to thinkable more about our surprising nature. All of nature lovers want to be united.
Great conversation @donkeypong.
Resteemed your post.
Yes, the oxygen is important. Some call these rainforests the planet's lungs.
Absolutely correct. I agree with you @donkeypong. Rainforest giving lot of facilities to humanity.
Powerful share @donkeypong. It inspires me as I always wanted to make an effort to preserve earth. Now I understand the process. Thanks a lot.
Very nice articles now i wonder how we are be blessed with that man who planting trees all of his life. we are truly beneficiaries of all trees as of now. I might remember when I was young the congressman of my town bought 33 hectar of land in my place and cutting all the big trees around the land. it was devastating for me because those land is so many big trees and for a month they all gone ,and my place become drought and hot. and now he own almost half of the land in my town and building more big beach houses and building with that my town now is full of air pollution no fresh air like before. truly tress are big help in our environment and produce clean fresh water. my dream is to have my own land to plant a tress for clean green fresh air.
The amount that the forest is diminishing is quite staggering! I am very hopeful though in the future of conservation as major efforts are also going into the restoration of arid spaces around the world. I have read about projects aimed at trying to restore desert areas...
Tomb up, please we must do everything needed to restore our habitat to a harmless state and preserve a good future for all these children that we are bringing out into this world.
I gets so excited seeing this type of post, this post is eco-friendly!.
LETS PLANT TREES TODAY
Thanks to @donkeypong
Really sir. Deforestation is a big issue and alll the government officials must take it seriously Nd do some hard stem to contro . Why we don't understand that our existence is based on there delivery . If trees get over we human get over
'Game over. Thanks for playing. Deposit more coins to have another chance.' Yes, this our planet and our chance.
When I saw the 2nd & 3rd pictures, I really sad. I think, It is not impossible some time into the future. The forest will only stay name, really sad. Hopefully the human unconscious and understand how importance of forests for The survival of human life. Lets go green and save the forest by reforestation.
It's sad and we need to be upset about it, but I'm also hopeful that we can have a lot more efforts to replant and appreciate the forests.
Absolutely right and agree with @donkeypong, Nature has given a lot of things to our lives, We just need to reciprocate his kindness With the goodness that is, keep the natural order that remain beautiful.
Great, with the growing amount of pollution and global warming, we need high forests to plant. Thanks for this reminder :)
We can start helping our planet by planting our own trees in our backyard if not call for other to plant theirs so that it will help make oxygen for our children to breathe clean air in the future times. @donkeypong
It is great to know that people are doing something good after destroying this specific area due to human economic activity and insensitivity towards nature. Hopefully, other destructed areas would do the same thing too
It's not enough to replace what is bring lost, but at least there is some glimmer of hope for more positive work in the future (and hopefully, some future recognition that we need to find a balance).
Many factor has led to our world being bare, i guess 200 years ago, it wasnt this way.
However in our quest to live in tree houses, make papers, cook and a whole host of others. Man had really robbed the earth.
However this is fantastic intiative, im glad i read this
What an outstanding tale of "BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD."
It is not too late, we can still learn to be symbiotic with our favorite rock, and all the life upon it.
BE THE CHANGE is one of the most powerful concepts. Let's make sure we keep some green on our favorite rock...
I bet you they brought those trees from amazon to plant them in amazon
I think they use seeds from native species, probably gathered from trees and plants in the region.
This is a very serious problem. And that 2 years apart pictures are shocking. We need to do our best to take care of our planet and conserve it. It is never too much to talk about this issues. Well done.
Forests are the natural habitat of humans. Humans would benefit so much from reforesting and stopping desertification as much as possible.
Very inspiring. It is time we all start to act and take care of our planet.
Let's do that!
Wow. Amazing. Isn't he an interesting fellow. Just had a look at the Wikipedia entry on Giono and he certainly is an interesting figure.
Wonderful book. Hard to find and disproportionately expensive considering its length, but well worth it.
The common idea for many people is that forests are just a collection of trees. However, they are much more than that. Logically, trees are an important component for the research in forest ecosystems, but the wide variety of other life forms and abiotic components in most forests means that other elements, such as wildlife or soil nutrients, should also be the focal point in ecological studies and management plans to be carried out in forest ecosystems.
Great post. I can relate.
Giono's book is so simple, yet can speak to so many people. Yes, you're right about those ecosystems having important life and substances that we can't see (and in some cases, may not know about or understand).
It's great to see that this issue is now getting enough attention. But the problem is that we human don't plan things properly, we first make thing go wrong in tha name of restoring something else and then destroy something else to restore something. A long term vision is needed to keep it sustainable, rather than creating hype by restoring something that we ourselves had destroyed. great article thnx for muvuca planting 👍
It is very good to see posts like that every now and again. Even though we are generally aware of the horrible things happening to nature in our age, we tend to forget about them as we get along with our daily lives. These reminders help to nudge us in a more conscious way of life, one with less waste and with more caring for what is really important. It is also great to hear that there is hope.
Reforestation is good, but rather short term. The first step in right direction is always realizing to myself - "Do I need this piece of furniture"? or something else, made of wood? Tones of pallets and furniture are thrown away, burned in fires. Our consumptionism, and greed are main reasons (on the shallow end of the problem) to deforestation and other eco problems. I always stop and rethink. It is not always possible to get involved in one direction as grouping is limited by many factors - unfortunately...
True and that's a good point. Reforestation is remedial. We don't have any choice but to restore some of what's been lost. But the much more important thing in the long run is to reach some healthy balance so we realize how important nature is to maintain at some level.
It is obvious, that you understand this, but how many people of average population know this logic? :( Let's do our job, and hopefully more and more will get it better, and soon we will need no reforestation on this scale (as the forests will be omnipresent) :) > Thank you for reply to my comment, and upvote to it. Peace and love :)
That is the problem in Surigao city these days where mining is the only source of livingof the people there. It is also the problem in Tubay city. When we look at the forest, it has already balding. In my place Butuan city is still abundant with trees.
Good point. There is a lack of opportunity in many places that leads people to exploit resources. Some of them are good people with no better options. Addressing that is an important piece of the puzzle as well.
The Colombian Amazon is also being affected by the felling of virgin forests for the commercialization of wood. Currently part of the Amazon forest reserve located in Caquetá, is also affected by the exploitation of hydrocarbons.
Governments are blinded by money, which will be of little use to the new generations if we do not preserve our natural resources.
The Amazon has been considered the lung of the world. It is a pity that it is already being affected by the great economic interests. Not to decay and to awaken conscience is a task that involves us all. Thanks for being part of this.
I'm very sorry to hear that. I think it's a problem in many places. You're right about governments, which are easy to corrupt.
This is such a fantastic article about reforestation. I have long wondered what will become of the rain forest if the harvesting of trees continues at its present pace. The mavuca method is new to me. It makes perfect sense. It is exactly how a forest would reseed itself if left to nature. So enjoyed every detail including the sheep herder that created a village and the most overused piece of land in Texas. People can do amazing things with a little bit of vision. Thank you.
Very cool piece.
About five years ago, I was reading a piece about a project to restore the mangrove forests in New Orleans. Their approach had a similar feel to it, but the execution was very different.
They created seed bombs filled with seeds from multiple wetland plant species, highly saline soil and slow release fertilizers. They created hundreds of thousands of them and bombed the wetlands from a plane with the seed packets. They found this more closely resembled how mangrove forests conglomerate in nature and permitted natural selection amongst the species to happen as it should. I will see if I can find the link and post it here. Very cool stuff.
That's great. Mangroves are very underrated and it's nice to see they are getting more attention lately as natural barriers against these strong storms we are seeing. Those roots hold onto the soil/sand provide a lot of important habitat for various critters (and manatee food in Florida). I've heard of seed bombs in other settings (minus the saline soil, which may be unique for those trees), so maybe that can be an effective method sometimes.
Eating meat is the number one cause of deforestation! It's great to restore but unfortunately it's being cut down even faster :(
The USA meat and dairy industries receive shockingly huge subsidies every year!
All about the money
It is no doubt a motivated post about reforestation thanks for sharing this useful post @donkeypong
Great article, this is the main issue of our time. I hope more people will become aware of it.
We're establishing a permaculture farm in Colombia. Planting trees and pacifying waterflows to limit erosion are the main pillars of what we do. We hope to use our project to show other small family farmers around here that we can produce food AND work together with nature.
Your post is a very good initiative of restoring our natural resources. before it could be done, there is a desire, and you are helping to add more desire on caring for our mother nature, we thank you for that. I myself love to be more with nature than the city coz maybe i grew up in the city.
it's our obligation to protect nature.
the earth is our mother, we should learning respect for our mother
yes it is our Obligation. Thanks and God bless!
Maybe the word "obligation" carries too many current religion shame based connotations. And suggests another human trying to control others, part of the current problem.
We can experience the miracles and magic of life right now simply by becoming closer to nature and the earth.
My sense tells me without respect for our mother the earth, we cannot find true joy or happiness.
An earth/nature focused cultural paradigm is needed. Something ancient humans were aware of and has been lost by our modern culture consumerism and greed
obligation = responsibility
Yes of course,
I suppose I'm simply trying to point out how language like that, which is often used by politicians and clergymen, does precious little to enhance life, nature, and respect for mother earth.
I'm suggesting a cultural/social paradigm shift using words like "joy" ,"happiness" for the human representations of reality.
Over the past two millennia politicians and clergy have done precious little to respect our mother earth.
it's pretty big!! it's take long to read, trees and plants should be cultivated for everyone's health and enjoyment. When i was small we read a story .. Try talking to people.. he telling , i give Food, Wood, shelter, etc, what people does they sit down under tree pass their time when they going, they break branch of the tree, destroy flower & fruit and so no.................. But we should NOT do That. we need to more plant save our beautiful WORLD. Thanks
If only 1% of authors wrote like you we'd be competing with Pornhub already! Wishing you all the very best for each and every one of your future endeavors! Stay awesome