Elias Halling is a landscape architect in the city of Helsingborg. Since 2020, he has planted 15 micro-forests, not entirely unlike the Miyawaki method, in the city.
- We saw that there were many open grass areas that were not being used. And we had many trees in mainly exploitation areas that did not develop as we wanted, they stood and stomped and got nowhere in their growth power.
Halling and his colleagues tried buying many small seedlings and planting them close together.
- They must compete with each other to grow faster and become stronger. That's how a forest works. Instead of planting a tree that is having a hard time, you plant a group of friends, and then they help each other.
Later, you may have to thin and select the trees you want to keep.
- It is not always about finding a straight tribe, but rather about individuals full of character.
Micro forests
Microforests (mini forests, Miyawaki forests, pocket forests) are, as the name suggests, small forests, often set in cities. The size varies greatly, from the size of a tennis court to thousands of square meters.
The Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki (1928–2021) has given his name to a method that has spread around the world, where you restore deforested places (for example in cities) by enriching the soil and planting many different native species densely.
The different species are chosen based, among other things, on the basis that they should represent different altitude layers in the forest.
The forest grows ten times larger and is up to 30 times denser than traditional forest planting.
After a few years, the forest is basically maintenance-free and takes care of itself.
The micro-forests give people in urban environments closeness to forests, preschool or school children are often involved in the planting and maintenance process.
Forests lower the temperature, become a natural noise barrier, increase biodiversity, help clean the air, prevent floods and become a small carbon sink.
In recent years, thousands of micro-forests have been planted in Asia, Australia, Africa, North and South America and Europe.
SOURCES: AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT, THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY, THE NEW YORK TIMES. (TT)
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59 w
Nature is everything,I love this.
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61 w
Dear Sven Nilson Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Helsingborgs stad by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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62 w
It's a great initiative that plays a very important role in combating effects of climate change
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62 w
This initiative is commendable and innovative approach to urban planning.
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62 w
Mini forests play a very crucial role in biodiversity, every city should have several of them.
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62 w
Mini forests in the urban environments is a great way to aid in combating the global climate change effects all around the world. This initiative should be adopted by all living in the city for a sustainable future.
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62 w
Love this!!
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62 w
Creating mini forests in urban environments is a fantastic initiative by Helsingborgs stad. These mini forests not only enhance the beauty of the city but also contribute to combating climate change. They provide a habitat for wildlife, improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and help regulate temperatures.
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62 w
The concept of mini forests in urban environments is truly commendable.
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62 w
Forests are vital to our climate,no matter the size.