The results so far in a nutshell:

• 25,000 native trees planted
•  

  Including 4,000 Almendros for the critically endangered Buffon’s macaws

•  

  9 local people at work, including 5 women and 4 men

•  

  Connection with the Barbilla National Park and the Cabécar Indigenous Reserve restored

Over time we will share more updates on this project, stay tuned! Want to know more about this project? Check out the reforestation page for more details.

Help and adopt rainforest!

Het bericht Video: 25.000 trees grow verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

Written by: Zoë Schreurs

Humanity has cleared countless acres of forest over the centuries. But not all forests are the same. Sure, a forest in Costa Rica has trees and squirrels, just like a forest here in Europe. But while we can certainly draw comparisons between our temperate forests and tropical forests, there are many differences. In this blog post, we take a closer look at why tropical rainforest logging is even more disastrous and how the consequences extend much further. And logging is certainly ongoing. Globally, the tropics lost 4.1 million hectares of primary forest in 2022, 10% more than in 2021, the platform  Global Forest Watch reported.

1. Small area, great biodiversity

Tropical rainforests are the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. They are home to more than half of all plant and animal species, even though they cover less than 10% of the Earth’s surface. Each patch of rainforest is a living, breathing paradise full of unique organisms found nowhere else on Earth. When a tropical rainforest is cleared, many of these species disappear forever.

Temperate forests, on the other hand, also have rich biodiversity, but not to the same extent as tropical rainforests. Although the loss of temperate forest still has a serious impact, some species are better able to survive and recover. The difference is not only in the number of species, but also in their vulnerability.

The more forest is cleared, the more fragmented the forests become. This means that wild animals increasingly have to move through human areas, which is not without danger. Not all animals manage to do this, cutting them off from other populations and increasing the risk of inbreeding and genetic impoverishment.

However, both types of forest face different threats such as pesticides and excess fertilization of neighboring agricultural lands, invasive species that upset the balance, overexploitation through hunting, logging and overuse of natural resources, and others. And, of course, diseases that often bring entire species to the brink of extinction. For example, the populations of bats and frogs around the world are under severe pressure. This is the reason why last year the Adopteer Regenwoud Foundation placed several frog pools in its reserve in Costa Rica. As a result, the nearly extinct Lemur Leaf Frog is back in the area. Hopefully from here it can begin its rise again.

2. Tropical CO2 reservoirs.

Forests play a vital role in regulating the climate, we all know. They act as huge carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and storing it in trees and plants.

Tropical rain forests store much more carbon dioxide per square meter than other types of forest. This is because they have more biomass per square meter, due to the large, old trees and dense vegetation. When these forests are cut down or burned, that carbon is released, contributing to global warming. Meanwhile, however, tropical forests have been so degraded and reduced in size by forest fires and logging that they are no longer carbon-positive, but almost carbon-neutral. That was revealed in a study published in the journal Nature Geosciences in October 2023.

3. Poor soil, rich trees

The difference in soil conditions between tropical rain forests and temperate forests is striking. The soils of temperate forests are richer in nutrients and generally better able to recover from deforestation. This makes reforestation and ecological restoration easier in temperate areas.

Tropical rain forests have soils that are extremely poor in nutrients. This is because most nutrients are held in the plants and trees themselves, not in the soil. Dead material, with plenty of moisture and heat, has the ideal conditions to decompose at lightning speed. In our latitudes, the dead material quietly forms a rich layer of humus, but it doesn’t get the chance to do that in the tropics. For not only is the material rapidly decomposed, but it is also immediately reabsorbed. Not surprising when you consider that some trees, such as the Ceiba Pentandra, can grow as much as 3 meters per year. Moreover, heavy rainfall can wash away a lot of nutrients in a short period of time. 

When rainforest is cleared, the soil quickly loses its fertility and becomes even more susceptible to leaching and erosion. Recovery from this poor soil can take centuries, and in some cases the ecosystem may never fully recover.

4. Irreversible damage

Although temperate forests are slow to recover, the effects of cutting down tropical rainforests are often permanent. Animals going extinct, ecosystems being destroyed, and climate change being felt throughout the world – it is a devastating cycle that is difficult to break. In Latin America and the Caribbean, animal populations shrank by as much as 95 percent between 1970 and 2020. Hardly imaginable, but unfortunately true. The diversity of plants, trees and animals is also declining. And this is not only disastrous for the population itself, but also has a knock-on effect on other species. Not only are beautiful, unique species lost this way, some that we haven’t even discovered yet, but it is also detrimental to humans. Not only do scientists draw much inspiration from nature for new drugs or vaccines, but we also become much more vulnerable to diseases looking for a new host.

It is important to realize that all forests are valuable and deserve protection. But the urgency to save tropical rainforests is just that little bit greater because of their irreplaceable role in preserving our planet.

The Rainforest cries out for help

Preserving these precious ecosystems should be a priority, not only for biodiversity and the people who depend on it, but also for the climate and the future of our entire planet. Enough reasons for Adopteer Regenwoud foundation and all its volunteers to protect as much rainforest as possible and to be actively involved in this every day.

Would you like to contribute to this as well?

Adopt a piece of rainforest

Het bericht The impact of forest clearing on the climate verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

Help to protect the Ceiba tree!

Use

Moreover, the tree has quite a history, as it has existed since before the continental drift so we can find it from Mexico to South America, as well as in West Africa and pieces of Asia. The tree has branches only at the top, where they spread out like an umbrella. During the flowering season, moths and bats are attracted to its abundant nectar production. For example, the tree makes up to 10 liters of nectar per night! In Cambodia, they have manipulated the tree so that it has low branches and a smooth trunk. They use the fibers in the fruit, also called silk cotton, as padding for mattresses, pillows and life jackets, among other things. The bark, leaves and stems are also used medicinally to treat acne, rashes, toothaches, rheumatism and burns. Western science is also beginning to show interest in the tree and research its medicinal properties. In addition, the seeds can be used as a biofuel.

Spiritual value

Not surprisingly, people throughout the ages have looked at this tree with admiration. For the Maya, for example, this tree was of great spiritual value, you can find the ‘ya’ax’che’ in many Maya artworks. For the Maya, this tree was the connection between the 3 levels: the underworld, our world and the different levels of heaven. Even more, they believed that the tree held up the sky with its branches. The tree was also a good indicator of favorable habitat, since they only grow near good water sources.

The indigenous inhabitants of Costa Rica also place great spiritual value on this tree. Unfortunately, this is much less well documented. But the story goes that they placed their loved ones who had recently died at the base of the tree by the roots, offering the soul a stairway to heaven.

In the reserve

Also in the reserve of Adopt Rainforest are some enormous Ceiba trees. Any tourist or student who comes into contact with a Ceiba tree for the first time is silent for a few seconds and stands staring upward in wonder. But even for the guides, it remains a magical moment to encounter such an impressive forest giant in the middle of the jungle.

The thickest Ceiba in Costa Rica has a circumference of 22.55 m and is called Arbol de la Paz, the tree of peace. It stands in Volcan Tenorio National Park.

More news from the rainforest? Click here

Het bericht The ceiba tree verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

We all know how important trees and plants are for producing oxygen and absorbing CO2. Especially lately there has been a lot of news about the climate crisis, global warming, sea level rise, CO2 offsetting and the importance of preserving trees, plants and forests. In this blog you can read some background information on how trees store our CO2 emissions.

How do trees absorb carbon and nitrogen?

CO2 (carbon dioxide) is one of the most important greenhouse gases. Deciduous trees are best suited for absorbing carbon, nitrogen and also ozone. The gases are absorbed through stomata in the leaf. Through photosynthesis, the plant or tree transforms these gases into oxygen and plant material. The wider the leaf surface, the more effective trees are at this. Remarkably, the Amazon rainforest alone is responsible for 40% of all oxygen on Earth. And this while it covers only 6% of the entire earth’s surface. This does show the importance of preserving and protecting the rainforest.

On average, a tree removes between ten and forty kilos of CO2 from the air per year. A thirty year old tree has extracted and sequestered about a ton of CO2 from the air. The CO2 remains stored in the wood and roots as long as the tree lives. They need this CO2 to grow, for leaves, needles, flowers and fruit. About half of the tree’s dry weight is carbon; the rest is hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and minerals.

Simply by what they are and do, forests thus moderate the temperature on planet Earth. The imminent excess of CO2 in the atmosphere can therefore be reduced by promoting the growth of trees and preserving existing trees, so that as much carbon as possible can be sequestered in forests. In this way, trees ensure that we can live on this planet.

Capturing more carbon can be done by:
– increasing the wood stock in the existing forest, i.e. “saving” wood and not cutting it;
– promoting diversity and growth in the existing forest, for example enriching coniferous forests with the planting or stimulation of deciduous trees;
– planting new forest on land that is not currently forested, such as pasture, heath or fields.

Mangroves

Mangroves have the ability to store large amounts of carbon dioxide – up to four times as much carbon as other tropical forests. A 2018 study calculated that the world’s mangrove forests soak up more than 6 billion tons of carbon per year. This clearly makes them a really important player in the fight against climate change. The problem is that they are threatened worldwide.

I spoke to several Costa Ricans, also known as Ticos, and all those I spoke to saw with pain in their hearts that mangrove forests are slowly disappearing. Because of sea level rise, more salt water is entering the mangroves and there is less brackish water. Mangroves need this brackish water to thrive. So sea level rise has a direct effect on mangrove forests, and thus direct impact on CO2 storage.

Several reasons to protect mangrove forests: they store CO2 and can hold it for many thousands of years. In addition, mangrove forests serve as protection for the rainforest located further inland; they provide a buffer, so to speak, between the salty sea water and the fresh inland water. When mangroves disappear due to sea level rise, the adjacent rainforest is also indirectly at risk.

The decomposition of wood releases CO2 and requires oxygen

During the life of trees, decomposition of organic matter also takes place. Leaves fall every year. The lower branches of trees also die sooner or later due to lack of light. In addition, trees produce fruits and seeds, which also fall to the ground. All this material slowly decays on the forest floor: it is reduced and broken down by insects, fungi and bacteria. In this decomposition, the opposite happens as during the growth of trees: it releases CO2 and requires oxygen. Fortunately, in a healthy forest, more greenery always grows than dies.

However, due to human influence, large-scale deforestation takes place. This releases much more CO2 than natural processes when only a few (old) branches break off. That is why it is so important to preserve and protect the existing rainforest! And that is why it is so important to encourage the planting of new trees/forests.

The more trees, the more CO2 is absorbed and the more oxygen is produced.

Reducing your CO2 emissions

There are many ways to reduce your CO2 emissions. For example, by leaving your car at home more often and not going on a plane vacation this year. Turning up the heat less often also helps. And did you know that your belongings, such as clothing, also have a great impact on the environment? This is partly because a lot of CO2 emissions are released during the production of items and transportation. So if you buy less or second-hand, you automatically contribute to a better earth!

Furthermore, the positive impact of eating plant-based food (more often) is enormous. For the production of meat and animal feed, a lot of forest is cut down and water is consumed. Moreover, a lot of greenhouse gases are released in the process. For comparison: the production of one piece of beef releases 34 kilos of CO2. For a vegetarian burger this is only 2.6 kilos

Offsetting your CO2 emissions

If you still want to do more than just reduce your emissions, you could also offset your emissions. There are several initiatives where, by making a donation, you can have trees planted or adopt a piece of rainforest to offset your air or car travel.

How many trees should you plant or how much rainforest should you adopt to offset the CO2 emissions of a plane trip or car ride?

For example, to offset the CO2 emissions from a car trip of about 5,000 kilometers, you would need to plant about 20 trees per year. Or adopt 37 square meters of rainforest. For a flight of 10,000 kilometers, you would need to plant about 90 trees per person or adopt 100 square meters of rainforest to offset emissions.

Wondering how big your footprint is? Do the math on our website!

Het bericht CO2 storage in trees – how does it work? verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

This month chairman Martin and founder Matthijs were at Trees for All’s headquarters to ratify a new cooperation for reforestation of 25 hectares of grassland. One of the largest projects in Costa Rica for the Adopt Rainforest Foundation to date. A total of more than 27,500 trees will be planted.

Local population

The foundation is not doing this alone. Thanks to the support of Trees for All, a team of seven locals from the neighboring Indian reservation will be able to take on the challenge of planting these 27,500 trees. In doing so, Adopt Rainforest not only provides nature restoration but also offers seven families employment and income for at least a year.

The mission

Adopt Rainforest’s mission is to protect 2,000 acres of rainforest. This 2,000-hectare area serves as an important buffer to the nearby Barbilla National Park and the Cabécar Indigenous Reserve. Pressure on the rainforest is well felt in this region. From the inhabited world, deforestation is shifting increasingly toward the National Park and the Indigenous Reserve. Adopt Rainforest aims to ensure that both the National Park and the Indigenous Reserve remain untouched. So that animals, such as the Jaguar for example, can continue to exist here carefree. The reserve is located in a part of the country that is very important as a corridor (connection) for many animals between North and South America. In this regard, it is important that the reserve consists of a continuous stretch of forest so that animals can move freely throughout the forest area. Many animals avoid open areas and meadows when moving. This is because of the risks involved in moving through unsheltered areas. The animals in the rainforest and therefore in our reserve also have an important role in natural forest formation. Almost all seed dispersal in the rainforest is done by animals.

Why reforest?

In order to expand the reserve, it is of course important that the new plot is adjacent to the existing reserve. The foundation always prefers to select a new plot to be purchased that already consists of rainforest. However, Adopt Rainforest cannot escape the fact that occasionally it must also purchase a plot where part of the plot has been deforested in the past. In the region where the foundation protects rainforest, forest plots are fragmented by small-scale agriculture and cattle ranching. Thus, there may be a strip of grassland between the current reserve and a new piece of rainforest to be purchased. To ensure that the reserve remains a continuous forest, the foundation plants a mix of tree species there. This will create a young forest within a period of 5 to 10 years where animals dare to cross again.

The project of 27,500 trees

Last year, the foundation was able to expand the protected reserve in Costa Rica with an area of 65 hectares. Forty acres of this is a piece of beautiful rainforest that connects directly to the existing reserve. The 25 acres where there is no rainforest yet is currently pasture land, but is an important connection to the Barbilla National Park. We will now reforest these 25 hectares of pasture land. A total of 27,500 trees will be planted. The tree species have been selected based on their specific growth characteristics. It is important that we create a forest climate again as soon as possible with the trees we plant. This forest climate is a precondition for the growth of the ultimate target species (original tree and plant species from the rainforest). These only grow in a shady environment with the right humidity. The seeds of these target species, such as forest giants, are mainly dispersed from the adjacent rainforest by animals. It is therefore important that these animals (such as; monkeys, birds, rodents) return to the area because the planting of different trees has made it more attractive to them.

Suitable tree species.

In our previous reforestation project of 4 acres of pasture, 14 tree species were eligible. These 14 tree species are indigenous to the region and thus are all native to this area. Because this reforestation project was an experiment to see which tree species would be most suitable for reforestation, we planted all 14 native tree species. For the past three years we have been monitoring these trees with the help of several forestry students. All trees were numbered and measured every 6 months. In this way we gained a good understanding of which trees are doing well in the region, and which trees are not doing as well or are not suitable at all. In the end, we chose to use a mix of the six most successful trees from our reforestation experiment for the reforestation of these 25 acres of pasture that will now be converted.

Great Green Macaw

In addition to the six selected tree species, nearly 4,000 Almendro trees will also be planted. This is a species of tree that is slowly disappearing in Costa Rica due to deforestation. This tree is hugely important for the critically endangered Great Green Macaw, abeautiful large green Macaw whose population is under pressure with only 1,000 left in the wild. The Great Green Macaw depends on this particular species of tree to build its nest in. As a foundation, we hope to contribute to the population growth of this beautiful animal.

Cooperation with University EARTH

All saplings are purchased through the nearby Costa Rican Universidad EARTH. A forestry university that owns a tree nursery. We experienced a pleasant cooperation in the previous reforestation project, so we are happy to support EARTH again with the purchase of the saplings.

In short

Objective

• To plant trees on grasslands deforested decades ago, in order to restore the ecological land bridge (connecting zone) to Barbilla National Park;
• Generate local employment, income and awareness;
• Increase protection of rainforest and stop illegal hunting through physical presence of local workers.

Results

• 25 Hectares of land re-vegetated with a diversity of trees, plants and flowers;
• Increased habitats for all animals and microorganisms present that are essential for biodiversity conservation, migration and expansion
• Providing seven families with employment and income for guaranteed one year, and 2 households will benefit for at least 3 years.
• Capturing CO2. (Planting trees is one of the most efficient methods)

Het bericht An extraordinary new step for foundation Adopt rainforest verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

Peering into the distance over our vast rainforest, this is hard to comprehend. As if the ground is literally being pulled out from under you. Yet ten years ago we were confronted with the truth. The Costa Rican Rainforest had to make way little by little for agriculture. The beastly rainforest was quietly abandoned until we managed to turn the rudder. The water turned blue again. The 3,000th tree was planted. The 300th bird was recently spotted again. And we’ve only just begun this counter-discourse! In order to understand how to stop deforestation, it is important to understand its cause.
Why does deforestation take place in such huge numbers?

Why does deforestation take place in such huge numbers?

It may sound a bit flat, but what drives people to drive this paradise into the ground? If you ask the local people, it is mainly a question of money. The world population is growing and with it the demand for food. Food simply brings in more money than rainforest. Money that is earned illegally. Deforestation is not easily tolerated by the government. In Costa Rica they are trying to do everything they can to preserve more rainforest. It is difficult to control and too often there are large-scale forest fires. Awareness is growing, also among food producers. More and more people are choosing the sustainable route. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement, especially in larger commercial companies.

There is hope behind the treetops. The end of the rainforest in Costa Rica is nowhere in sight. On the contrary! With a strong team of locals, volunteers and students, the NGO Adopt Rainforest is literally bringing life back. By increasing our rainforest area daily with the purchase of square meters and bringing it under the forest law of Costa Rica, the rainforest remains protected. Find out how Adopt Rainforest is combating deforestation in the tropical rainforest.

Het bericht What does deforestation mean for our nature? verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.