Nature Equals Future
The Saviour Tree
Amongst the various natural strategies used to capture carbon dioxide,
a European study which draws on the work of Professor Eric Verichia highlights the capabilities of certain trees,
oxalogeanus trees like the Yoroko found in the Cameroon and Ivory Coast.
These trees transform CO2 and a limestone slab beneath the soil.
By making use of this property, which also improves soil quality,
it is also possible to create and implement innovative projects in agroforestry.
For oxalogeanus trees, photosynthesis leads, among other things, to the formation of oxalic acid or oxalate.
This acid will eventually be moved to the roots of the tree,
where it will be used by different soil microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi,
and will be decomposed into carbonate ions.
These carbonate ions will react with calcium ions to form calcium carbonate,
the scientific name of limestone.
This calcium carbonate precipitates and becomes solid in the soil.
It accumulates over time.
It is an interesting process in terms of carbon sequestration,
since a tree, like the Yoroko tree, can capture or store 21 kilos of CO2 of carbon dioxide per year.
Limestone slab can remain in the soil for thousands or hundreds of thousands of years.
It really is a very, very long-term type of carbon storage.
Carbon sequestration technology is very interesting because it is very simple to implement,
since it is a low-cost technology.
Finally, oxalate carbonate improves soil quality in terms of fertility.
Such a process, in addition to sequestering carbon,
sets up a complete agroforestry system surrounding oxalogenous trees.
Based on this principle, the Biomimikri Europa Association and the Green Loop Company
created the Abra-Sauvers project, the Savior Tree in Haiti.
The purpose of this project is to implement a reforestation and agricultural program
around the Mayan nut tree found in Central America.
As an association, we thought it interesting to be bio-inspired, to be bio-assisted,
in other words, to have a bio-assistance with trees to produce an agriculture
which works better and without any chemical input.
Moreover, this means planting more and more trees,
which we now have a positive effect on the climate.
We wanted to work with associations that already planted trees in the country.
We were fortunate to find two in Haiti that were already working towards that,
including a small association founded by a Haitian and an American,
which had already planted a few Mayan nut trees without knowing about their oxalogenous effect.
It is the tree with the biggest oxalogenous potential for Latin America.
But the main aspect for Haiti right now is its nutritive aspect,
because it produces small nuts, although they aren't what we would call nuts.
The important aspect is the seed inside, which can be dried like coffee beans,
for example, on matins.
These are things that Haitians or Cubans know by heart.
Once dried, it can be ground into flour.
It can be used in all of the dishes from local cuisine.
We encourage women to take up the cause, to follow the training, and run things in the house.
Because this is where they can, for example, give a little water to a young tree that needs it.
We encourage them to have a maximum of five to ten trees in their garden
by telling them that if they manage to make them grow, it will be enough for them.
When it comes to the trees, the benefits for the Haitian people
are that Haiti is one of the countries most affected by deforestation.
Since the beginning of this reforestation program in late 2011,
we have planted 100,000 trees in various rounds.
The first results came in early 2015, just over three years after the first seeds were planted.
We had the first nuts or seeds.
So we have a tree that was planted late 2011 that has already produced seeds.
This is absolutely amazing.
It really proves that the trees adapted very well to the Haitian land.
Now we begin to have Haitian seeds.
Haitian people can see that the trees produce seeds and they can eat them.
This biomematic approach, based on ecosystem knowledge
and built on the principles of local circular economy,
can store CO2, feed people and fight against deforestation.
Thank you.
