Reforestation: our Contribution to Climate Protection

Green = intact primary or secondary forest, Yellow = pastures or plantations. To enlarge, click on photo.

Apart from purchasing rainforest for protection, we are attempting to purchase farmland next to or near to the national park that has been logged. It will either be left over to natural regrowth or planted with 40 species of trees from the surrounding forest. Our goals are to ensure species survival by connecting the national park with isolated, remaining tracts of forest, and the reduction of carbon dioxide through long-term sequestration in biomass. The natural fauna and flora of forest "islands" surrounded by agricultural land cannot survive on a long-term basis. Species depletion or even species mortality can be the result. The planting of "biological corridors" enables a genetic exchange between plant and animal populations between the Rainforest of the Austrians and forest tracts outside the protected areas. Besides, the reforestation of farmland can sequester up to 600 tons of CO2 per hectare, while extant, full-grown primary forests release the same amount of CO2 as they absorb. During its calculated lifespan of 60 years, each planted tree will store 750 kilograms of CO2.

Reforestation makes Esquinas Lodge 100% CO2-neutral

In November 2009, we purchased a farm in La Gamba consisting of 40 acres of cow pastures,  secondary growth forest and primary forest.  Under the supervision of  La Gamba Biological Station 7500 rainforest trees will be planted on the pastureland in 2010.   Die Esquinas Rainforest Lodge and its vehicles emit approx. 29 tons of carbon dioxide annualy. A distinguished team of scientists from the University of Vienna has come to the conclusion that 2334 trees must be planted in order to neutralize 29 tons of CO2. By donating $43600 for the reforestation of 2334 trees, Esquinas Lodge has become 100% carbon-neutral. Energy consumption and carbon emissions of the lodge have been carefully documented in a PDF that you can download here. The documentation also contains many interesting and helpful links to websites concerning CO2 binding and energy consumption.  

 

Finca Ovilio, where 7500 trees will be planted in 2010.