Forest restoration projects are designed to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, reduce erosion, enhance biodiversity and improve the social and economic conditions within the region.
Establishing Pine seedlings on unproductive and eroding grazing land in Central Chile
Establishing Eucalyptus seedlings on marginal land in Chile
Quillay plantation being established on degraded land
Newly planted Quillay seedlings (with rabbit protectors) on eroded land
Maturing forest established on grazing land
Thinning of forest to allow for optimum growth under government approved sustainable forestry plan
Land being site-prepared for planting
Using advanced R&D techniques Mikro-Tek has developed a natural biotechnology process that enhances plant survival, growth, and health.
Beneficial soil micro-organisms are collected in healthy forests and isolated in the lab
Selected species are mass-produced using biotechnology process
Various collected strains are applied to host plants to assess their effect on nutrient uptake
Root growth potential after out planting is also assessed for various plant species
Studies are undertaken to predict photosynthetic activity under drought stress conditions
Best strains are identified and applied in the tree nursery through standard irrigation system
Application of microbes in smaller nurseries done by hand watering
Assessment of seedlings for mycorrhizal colonization before field planting
To date, Mikro-Tek has established more than 7,500 hectares of forestry projects in Chile to generate 1.4 million carbon offset credits.
Pine seedlings planted with water infiltration ditches
Four-year-old pine trees in Chile
Four-year-old pine forest in Central Chile
25% of carbon is sequestered underground in the roots and mycorrhizal structures
Biodiversity benefits: bird nests, moisture capture and retention
Non-traditional timber products: Boldo tree species in understory provides tea
Boldo tea ready for shipping to international markets
Mycorrhizal hyphae on pine roots increase surface area for enhanced moisture and nutrient uptake
Two-year-old pine trees: Treated with MycorrhizaeNon-Treated
Tree growth is measured every five years to calculate carbon sequestration rates