Akira Miyawaki Method
This method of afforestation was developed by the Japanese botanist and plant ecology expert Professor Akira Miyawaki, and draws inspiration from nature’s ecosystems to create 100% organic, dense and diverse pioneer forests in as little as 20-30 years. The Miyawaki Method is one of the most effective tree planting methods for creating forest cover quickly on degraded land that has been used for other purposes such as agriculture or construction.
Global climatic changes, together with recent rapid urbanization and industrialization, have been the main anthropogenic effects worldwide in destroying natural environments and increasing risk of desertification. They suggest the need for performing more environmental conservation activity, as well as using innovative environmental recovery activities. In the last two decades, scientists have developed new insights both in theoretical and in practical actions for restoration and reconstruction of natural ecosystems.
Natural restoration is strictly related to increased sustainability and includes rehabilitation of ecosystem functions, enlargement of specific ecosystems, and enhancement of biodiversity restoration. Miyawaki method is a one such potential technique of restoring the forest and ecology as well (Miyawaki. 1999).
Key points of Miyawaki forest
- Planting trees (only native species) as close as possible.
- Plants support each other in the process of growing and block sunlight that reaches the ground to preventing the growth of weed.
- Miyawaki Method of tree plantation is 30 times denser and plant growth 10 times faster than usual.
- After 3 years no maintenance required for the Miyawaki forest. (“No maintenance is the best maintenance” for Miyawaki method of afforestation).
Importance of Miyawaki Forest
- Undisturbed land – naturally help to grow plant communities.
- To preserve life on the plant and repair harm caused by humans.
- It is seen as essential to preserve biodiversity and native plants, decrease extinction rates by building habitats.
- Enhance environmental quality overall by expanding forest cover, and use trees as a buffer against natural calamities.
- The forest cover quickly on degraded land that has been used for other purposes such as agriculture or construction.
- A “new option” of coexistence, in which urban areas and forest environments coexist, may be made possible by small, dense forests.
- It is also a useful tool in Urban Forestry projects and the development of recreational parks.
- The technique can help restore groves that have been destroyed by deforestation.
Benefits of Miyawaki Method
- Best method to restore the forest and ecology in shorter period of time.
- Revolutionized the concept of urban afforestation.
- Increase the green cover by converting the urban backyard into a mini-forest.
- The technique is 100% organic, which provides 10 times faster Plant growth, 20 times increased biodiversity, 30 times denser than usual hence saves the space as well.
- It encourages the movement of different birds, insects there by maintaining the ecosystem and ecology naturally.
- This technique creates a forest in 20 to 30 years, while though conventional methods take 200 to 300 years.
- There is no maintenance after 3 years.
Urban forests can be defined as networks or systems comprising all woodlands, groups of trees, and individual trees located in urban and peri-urban areas; they include, therefore, forests, street trees, trees in parks and gardens, and trees in derelict corners.
Urban Forests are forests which are present in and around urban settlements. They can spring up naturally, or they can be initiated through certain methods, the practice of which is known as urban forest. Urban trees and forests provide shade and cool the air through evapotranspiration, through which trees pull water from the soil and release it through their leaves into the air. This reduces the risk of heat-related illness and makes cities more comfortable.