In February 2022, we undertook a forest ecosystem restoration project on Crique Korossibo, covering a total area of 30 hectares. This area is located in the north-west of French Guyana, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. It is accessible by air only. Its restoration was prompted by the presence of an alluvial gold mine.
The project had several key objectives: to limit erosion, restore soil fertility and accelerate the natural regeneration of the farmed area, guaranteeing a high level of biodiversity and limiting invasive species.
Deployment of the plantation took place over 2 days on site, with a team of 2 people, 1 drone, and a load kept to a minimum to facilitate logistics.
Rapid plant growth, from 0.3% to 55% in just one year
Initial vegetation cover was only 0.3%, leaving vast expanses of bare, degraded soil. Our monitoring, updated every 3 months using drone and satellite imagery, shows us the project's progress. One year on, a magnificent landscape lies before us, with vegetation cover now standing at 55%. Of this, 6% represents the growth of dense, diverse forests.
Biodiversity at the heart of our reforestation projects
We carefully selected and planted 15 different species for this project, all native to the region. By using only local species, we ensure that the new ecosystem established harmonizes perfectly with the natural biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest zone.
Discover 4 studies that show the benefits of reforestation with biodiversity and how MORFO selects and collects its species.
Large-scale restoration of degraded soils
The transformation of the area is not limited to the growth of vegetation. Thanks to the support and shared efforts of Cub "Or, the company that operates the mine in this area, we have succeeded in reducing the proportion of bare soil from 84% initially to 39% today.
To find out more about this project and keep up to date with its progress, we invite you to explore our detailed case study page by clicking here.
Image source: MORFO
