We want to plant at least 20 Miyawaki forests in rural Maharashtra in 2020. We will tend to them for 2 years, as recommended in the method. Post this, once the external water supply and mulching is stopped, will the soil continue getting enough natural mulch to support the forest and ensure survival 10-20 years down the line? What is the most accurate research available on survival rates of Miyawaki forests and ensuring the same?
Hi Nikhil Joshi - the concept seems great as it includes very careful preparation of planting site, soil, nutrients etc. And they have a very promising nature like approach, i.e in terms of diversity and planting together different species. However, to my knowledge Maharashtra has semi-arid climate, is that correct? What is the mean annual rainfall? If below 400 mm, some caution about self sustainability, especially if trees are planted too close to each other. For these regions after some (10 - 20) years of growth water consumption / evaporation may reach a level leading to dry soil, esp. if you plant so called poikilohydric trees such as Eucalyptus spec. that will consume lot of water and show good growth. Good hints about planting distances are given here:
M. Boydak and S. Caliskan, 2015. Afforestation in arid and semi-arid region. Ch. 5. 1. 3. „Spacings in the arid and semi-arid afforestation sites".
Hello Nikhil, since there were no more answers - let me evaluate on some other parameters affecting viability of new tree plantations since survival rate seemed important for you. As mentioned it is important to find out local climate data. For protection from transpiration of the ground - yes mulching is good and will be quite sufficient (or you can add any material additionally between plants), also idea to protect the trees by planting in holes, or getting surrounded by earth wall. Ditches to collect rainfall and lead into ground etc.
Most careful selection of adapted native species is crucial, these will not evaporate too high amount of water even after years of growth. As additional protective and growth promoting element you could add some (probably in your region non native) Jatropha and Moringa trees (10%?) because they readily adapt by building fast and strong root system, thereby supporting growth of other trees as well. (Sustainability 2018, 10, 1931. Change Sensitivity of Multi-Species Afforestation in Semi-Arid Benin)
And as we know from large scale afforestation the density is important (see above), and there are regions where a 20% and higher tree coverage really had great influence on regional climate (see, eg Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Volume 1 Issue 3 Vegetation in Semi-Arid Areas as a Direct Meso and Macro Climatic Factor: First Evidence of Duplicate Climate Protective Effect of Large Scale Afforestation? )
It is a fine balance of not too dense and not too wide planting, thinning and maintenance activities are likely to be needed even after more than 2 years - so I think it will important to monitor further on. Finally, protection from animals and fire is crucial and needs to be monitored constantly as well. Outer layer of Jatropha (Euphorbia) will protect from animal browsing. So, there are many factors to be considered, besides nutrition.
Hope this helps!
Lorenz Hübner I sincerely thank you for writing in such detail about various aspects of sustainability. To answer your question, climate in Maharashtra is quite diverse, it's divided into 9 agro climatic zones. But the area we work in is mostly with semi arid climate. Rainfall ranges from 300 mm to 800 mm.
Swaminathan C. Thank you for raising an important point. I appreciate and understand the importance of the point you have raised.
We planted 3 sites in Jalgaon District(MS- India) by miyawaki method. Though its capital intensive with density of 3 plants in one sq.m., the results are promising. After 1 year we are getting more than 12 ft top canopy height. Survival rate is more than 95% as per initial observations. Exact statistics is being worked out.
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