Analog forestry and re-wilding Ecological solutions to reverse climate change

Belipola Arboretum - an analog forest being developed for over 35 years. (Image courtesy - IAFN)

Sri Lanka is going through one of its worst heat waves and the general public have been advised to take precautions. Last week, at least 13 people died of a heatstroke while attending a ceremony in Maharashtra, India while 50-60 people were hospitalized. Heat waves are dangerous because they not only exceed the threshold for enzymatic activity in plants, but they also cause heat stress in humans, causing death. Sri Lanka’s Meteorological Department announced that the situation would prevail over the next couple of days. Apart from the obvious causes of a heatwave, anthropogenic activities such as deforestation contribute immensely towards climate change. Conservationists also warn that an increase in ambient temperature will reduce agricultural productivity. This is why they are now looking at ecological approaches such as analog forestry and re-wilding to help restore nature. 

Warnings issued 

The heat index advisory issued by the Meteorological Department on April 24 indicates that the heat index is expected to increase up to caution level in areas such as Western, North Western, Northern, North Central and Eastern provinces in addition to Monaragala, Ratnapura and Hambantota districts. The Health Promotion Bureau and medical experts continue to warn vulnerable groups such as elders, pregnant mothers and children to stay hydrated and stay indoors as much as possible. The public have also been advised to limit strenuous activities and to not leave children in vehicles. Health authorities also warned that people who are exposed to the heat these days are likely to experience heat cramps and heat exhaustion. 

“The only way to reverse that is re-wilding - grow as many native trees as you can and shade our planet again to restore groundwater levels and cool the earth. Living in a re-wilded land in Sri Lanka’s Dry Zone, I can confirm that our 24 years of re-wilding has afforded us a land that is distinctly cooler than our neighbours who still practice clear-felled monocultural agriculture” 
Sunela Jayawardena  - Environmental architect

Analog forestry 

Systems ecologist and Chairman of Earth Restoration Dr. Ranil Senanayake introduced the concept of analog forestry to Sri Lanka back in 1980. His philosophy of reforestation is that in order to efficiently reforest a plot of land, one must observe the plant and tree species that grew there naturally and plant those species in a way analogous to the original growth. This method is believed to mimic nature. His 17-acre model analog forest, known as the Belipola Arboretum demonstrates that the restoration and protection of rainforests and natural resources is compatible with the economic well-being of rural communities. 
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Dr. Senanayake explained how a heat wave is caused and why concepts such as analog forestry helps to reverse climate change.

Excerpts: 

Q  What causes a heat wave?  

A heat wave is caused when the atmospheric conditions create an area of high temperature that moves along the dominant wind currents. 

Q  Can anthropogenic factors such as logging, unregulated deforestation etc., contribute to a heat wave?

Yes, if the cleared area is large enough to reduce evaporative cooling from trees.

Q  Let’s talk about analog forestry and how it could positively impact climate change?

As Analog Forestry creates the largest volume of Photosynthetic Biomass in an area, it helps keep the ambient temperature of the local area cooler.

Q  How long did it take for you to develop this concept in Belipola?

Over 35 years, the concept is still being developed in a dynamic manner.  

Q  Let’s talk about its success and how it has helped the community to change its attitudes towards restoring and preserving the environment?

It is now practiced in over 20 countries with the secretariat situated in Costa Rica. A certification scheme termed Forest Garden Products (FGP) helps the farmers obtain a premium for their products (www.analogforestry.org)

Q  What is the impact of climate change on island nations like Sri Lanka?

It could be mild or disastrous depending on the actions taken by the Government.

Q  What can people in urban settings do to reduce their carbon footprint? 

Be aware of the danger of using fossil fuels and reduce your dependence on them. 

Q  Do concepts such as vertical gardening help in bringing about climate change?

As long as they do not depend on fossil energy for production…

Q  What should the government be doing if it is keen to set an example as a country that advocates against climate change?

Demonstrate that they are aware of the conditions that lead to climate change and move rapidly towards a non-fossil driven model of development.
Re-wilding and restoring nature 

Creating spaces that preserve the environment is crucial for sustainable development. This has been a passion for acclaimed environmental architect Sunela Jayawardena, who recreated some of the best eco-friendly hotels in the country by introducing concepts such as re-wilding. One of the classic examples is Jetwing Vil Uyana, built on several paddy fields which were once abandoned. It has taken over 17 years to sow results of re-wilding and it has been a slow process. But today, Vil Uyana sits on a rejuvenated wetland surrounded by a replanted indigenous forest which is home to an abundance of wildlife. Recently, Jetwing Vil Uyana was listed among the 15 best eco-friendly hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. 
When asked how ecological concepts such as re-wilding helps to reverse climate change, Jayawardena said the fact that deforestation has been a major contributor to global warming is a well-accepted fact. “The only way to reverse that is re-wilding - grow as many native trees as you can and shade our planet again to restore groundwater levels and cool the earth. Living in a re-wilded land in Sri Lanka’s Dry Zone, I can confirm that our 24 years of re-wilding has afforded us a land that is distinctly cooler than our neighbours who still practice clear-felled
monocultural agriculture.”