In the last few months we were able to give more love and care to the heart of our first regeneration area – the R1. It is an experimental zone, where we test different methods for planting native species and restoring degraded land. Our goal for this part of the project is to evaluate which techniques work best and to gather data that helps us decide whether these methods should be scaled up across other zones of our land.
We selected this area because it provides a representative sample of our landscape. It is close to our Basecamp, making it accessible for frequent monitoring, and it presents key challenges similar to the rest of the terrain
It is steep and rocky.
It has a secondary water line, which only holds water during the rainy months.
It was previously dominated by invasive acacia and a patch of sick pines, requiring active restoration efforts.
Rapid Forest Regeneration with the Miyawaki Method
Within R1, we experiment with different planting strategies and observe how various factors affect plant survival and ecosystem regeneration. Our focus was to create a biodiverse system that integrates plants in a way that mimics natural ecosystems. This is where the Miyawaki planting method came into play.
Developed in the early 1970s by Japanese ecologist Akira Miyawaki, this method uses native tree species to form a diverse, multi-layered forest community. These trees complement each other, creating a resilient ecosystem that truly restores our forests with native trees.
The key principle of a Miyawaki Forest is its high density of seedlings. This mimics natural forest regeneration, where a fallen tree creates a gap in the canopy. Planted close together, saplings grow quickly to compete for sunlight. Over time, natural selection favors the fastest-growing individuals, thinning the forest naturally.
We chose the Miyawaki method for its rapid forest regeneration potential, but before we could begin, we had to face one major challenge: mimosas.
Clearing Mimosas, Cultivating Native Biodiversity
Many are surprised when we cut down trees during reforestation. But we're only removing invasive species like mimosas. These trees spread quickly in Portugal, crowding out native plants by thriving in sunlit, degraded soils and blocking growth with their wide canopies. Cutting down invasive species like mimosas clears the soil, giving native plants a real chance to grow.
To restore our forest's biodiversity, our first step was to clear out mimosas. Luckily, the tech-savvy Make it Digital team helped remove tons of branches and sticks – which we later woodchipped for mulch and other uses.
Once the area was cleared, we teamed up with Santa's little helpers from Credisegur. Their energy and fun spirit helped us plant over 300 fast-growing native trees and bushes, chosen specifically to shade the soil and outcompete the mimosas that thrive in full sunlight. Big thanks to both teams for their enthusiasm and great work! We can wait to see the result of our united efforts!
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