For the untrained observer, it’s hard to imagine the transformation of a large deforested area into one where thousands of seedlings from different plant species sprout as far as the eye can see. At Biomas, this process is carried out by integrating the teams responsible for planning with those who oversee field operations.
This is a journey that requires not only knowledge, research, technology, but also time. The planning begins at least a year in advance, to synchronize the reproductive cycle of the plants with the operational schedule. During this phase, teams define the restoration recommendations, the mix of plant species, seedlings and seed volume, suppliers, and production deadlines. This is also the stage where building relationships with local communities begins.
“Operations are the link that transform planning into reality”, explains our Operations Coordinator, Felipe Caffaro, leader of the team responsible for anticipating challenges, building partnerships, and strengthening the ties that sustain each one of the stages. The objective is the guarantee that the soil is prepared, threats are eliminated or controlled, and seedlings formed before the rain arrives, giving the new forest a better chance to thrive.
The Work Begins Well Before Planting
Since each species has different fruiting seasons and the seeds must come from previously identified mother trees, it is essential to start the collection process early enough for the seeds to be processed and delivered to plant nurseries. After that, another three to six months are needed for the production of the seedlings.
Caffaro explains that these logistics depend on a supply network: “The biggest challenge lies in seedlings and seeds, not in conventional agricultural inputs. The forest’s timeframe is the plants’ timeframe, and we need to stay ahead of it”.
This is because the native species production chain in Brazil is still a young and underdeveloped process. The situation is even more complex in certain regions, like the Amazon, where the plant nurseries and collector networks are still in the early phases.
Strategic Plant Nursery Selection Contributes to the Success of Projects
Biomas works strategically with multiple partner plant nurseries. Our team, with ample experience in forest production, selects the plants based on seedlings quality and the ability to deliver within the established timelines. Another criterion is guaranteeing that at least 50% of the seedlings and seeds come from nurseries in the project region, while the additional nurseries are located in different regions. This model is beneficial for multiple reasons:
- It promotes the utilization of locally sourced seedlings and seeds, better adapted to the soil and climate conditions;
- It guarantees genetic diversity, which creates ecological resilience and reduces risks in the face of climate change;
- It significantly increases the positive social impact by creating jobs and income for many, strengthening the local economy across a wide area;
- It generates local employment opportunities.
Caffaro explains, the more native species and more diverse the seeds of the same species, the lower the risk to the project. This way, there are higher chances that the forest will become self-sustaining and resilient to climate change within the restored area.
In practical terms, this means that the variability of the seed origins allows for new genetic combinations and the formation of trees more adapted to future environmental conditions. This way, if one species suffers from climate stress, others continue to perform essential ecological functions, like providing shade, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. This configuration preserves the balance and functionality of the restored ecosystem.
Pre-planting Operations Guarantee Better Conditions for the New Forest
After the establishment of partnerships with plant nurseries but before planting begins, the areas to be restored undergo a preparation process, which includes physical and chemical soil repair. Caffaro explains that, since the projects are implemented in degraded regions, “the first step must be the elimination of environmental filters, those obstacles that prevent the seedlings from growing”.
Some methods to address said obstacles include controlling invasive grasses using drones, controlling leaf-cutting ants, decompacting soil using tracked or wheeled machinery, and fertilization to restore its permeability, structure, and aeration. “This way, we create favorable conditions for the area to recover and grow closer to what it once was”, he says.
Technology Optimizes Field Planting
Once the area preparation phase is complete, planting begins, respecting the soil and environment conditions of each plot (our production unit) and the recommended species mix.
In large-scale restoration projects, planting all plots can take years, which makes combining knowledge and technology to optimize timelines and results even more important.
At Biomas, we combine manual and automated methods based on the terrain and structure of the area, prioritizing productivity, safety, and quality. “We use drones to apply herbicides, monitor seedling survival, and weed competition. This reduces costs, guarantees uniformity, and reduces the environmental impact”, explains Caffaro.
Quality is Guaranteed by a Forest Management and Traceability System
The operations are accompanied by strict quality control, conducted with the same technical rigor that guides all of the phases of the process. From site preparation to monitoring planted seedlings, each step is registered in a forest management system. Among the items monitored are activity sequences, inputs used, and evaluation criteria. The complete traceability of the operations guarantees standardization, consistency, and transparency in the results.
Quality Control happens in three complementary levels and moments. First, the field leader monitors the activities in real time, correcting issues as they arise. Afterwards, a technician from Biomas reevaluates the same stages and, if necessary, elaborates a corrective action plan. The third level uses high-resolution drone images to evaluate survival, performance, and weed competition.
The system also works as a technical knowledge repository, where all of the species, used products, carried out operations, intervention dates, and the results are documented. This detailed record allows the team to continually refine work methods and ensure a culture of excellence.
Project Muçununga: Where technique and Strategy Bear Fruits
Strategic decision making and early use of technology in the planning stage brought significant benefits during the implementation of the Muçununga project. One example is the soil decompaction and fertilization of the terrain, which is steep and uneven. In this case, we mechanized 94% of the work in the area. Similarly, using drones for weed control in 90% of the area marks another milestone in efficiency.
There are also results that exceeded our expectations. This was the case of the expansion of the species mix during the implementation phase. The plan was to work with roughly 70 native species, but we have already expanded to 85 and may surpass 100 in the first year of operation.
This increase was neither accidental nor simply the result of market availability. It was a direct consequence of a technical decision aligned with the project’s ecological objectives, including constructing an ample network of plant nurseries. Thinking strategically, it was possible to add more native species to the Atlantic forest, in addition to guaranteeing the use of those that deliver the best results of the project.
From knowledge to forest: where technique and purpose meet
Large scale ecological restoration is only possible when knowledge, technical expertise, and unified purpose come together. Each Biomas operation is born from rigorous methods, executed by experienced professionals, and guided by the mission of transforming degraded landscapes into lively ecosystems.
“We work with technologies that are already established in commercial forestry, but every day we develop new knowledge in the restoration field. It is this balance between technical security and constant evolution that guarantees the success of Biomas’ operations”, Caffaro concludes.