Selecting Tree Species for Reforestation
Around Lake Argyle
In order to create a sustainable forest ecosystem, we will need to plant many types of plants and possibly animals. The main rule that we adhere to is the support and conservation of biodiversity
Most of the territory proposed for afforestation is occupied by hills. The landscape consists of hilltops, which are sometimes covered with rare trees and bushes, hillsides covered with rare eucalyptus trees, and beds of dry streams with small floodplain areas and, as on the slopes, rare trees and shrubs.
Hillsides for afforestation
Here we are planning two afforestation options:
- Afforestation with landscape preparation
- Afforestation without landscape preparation.
In the first version, we will create water landscapes. Creating ponds and ditches will allow for planting more moisture-loving trees, but drought-resistant species will also be needed. Here are some of these species.
Fig (Ficus carica). A deciduous tree native to the region of Asia, stretching from Afghanistan to Syria. Figs are very widespread due to their ability to take root in arid places.
Due to their resistance and fruiting, figs are grown in all tropical, subtropical and temperate zones of the world.
Some types of ficuses. In subequatorial regions with periods of drought, which can last up to several months, semi-deciduous and deciduous ficuses grow. Due to the long retention of leaves after the onset of the dry season, these trees protect the soil from direct sunlight for longer.
Myrsinopia are common in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres of our planet. This genus unites about 400 species of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs and lianas found in subtropical and tropical regions of the world.
Here, we select evergreen trees for the banks of artificial ponds, as well as for stabilizing dams and strips. Trees such as Tectona grandiosa, or teak, are particularly suitable. In parts of India, Burma, Thailand, and Java, these trees form the foundation of tropical deciduous forests. Teak trees can form the foundation of an artificial forest. In areas where we can provide year-round shade for the soil and understory, we will try to plant tropical forest plants such as vines and bromeliads. These plants, using the trunks of trees and shrubs as support, will strengthen the connections within the forest and support biodiversity.
Places with artificial water landscapes
This form of growth is typical for many rainforest inhabitants, where the most difficult task for all plants is to get to the sunlight. A thin stem of a vine will penetrate into the upper layer of the forest, spending significantly less resources than a tree. A liana plant can be both all life, and but occasionally. Many ficuses, which eventually become large, even huge trees, begin their lives as strangler vines.
Such a liana braids the tree trunk with a dense net of stalks that grow together. As they grow in thickness, the stems begin to squeeze the trunk of the host tree,
which ultimately disrupts the exchange of sap and leads to death. The stems of the strangler, continuing to thicken, grow together into a single trunk, and it exists further as an independent tree.
The creation of artificial water landscapes is a very laborious job, but it allows you to grow a real evergreen forest and even a rainforest in a desert or semi-desert.
Paulownia is a drought-resistant tree that can grow in arid places with a groundwater depth of up to 5 meters. This deciduous tree is actively cultivated in our time for timber. We can use the fast growing paulownia as a trailblazer to get the primary forest signs quickly. Large paulownia leaves bind large amounts of nitrogen and potassium. After falling off the leaves accelerate the formation of the soil and saturate it with microelements.
Many types of palm trees are suitable for the plain. A wide variety allows us to choose the most successful species for afforestation.
Palm trees and paulownia in the plains
Some of the gentle shores of Lake Argyll are temporarily flooded during the rainy season. This will allow us to experiment with creating a rain forest. In the zone of temporary flooding, such types of trees as Brazilian Hevea, black walnut, some types of ficuses and others will be planted. Some types of palms, ferns and ficuses will be planted on the border of the flood zone where the land is sufficiently moist. Vines and other typical rainforest species will also be planted here. To create a sustainable forest ecosystem, you will need to plant many species of plants and possibly animals. The main rule that we adhere to is the supporting and conservation of biodiversity.
A patch of real rainforest in Kimberley
