The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry
futureecologies.net
The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry
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Re: The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry
#2“The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry is a viral sensation: sprouting tiny, dense, native tree cover in neighbourhoods all around the world. With the promise of afforestation at a revolutionary speed, this planting technique has become the darling of green-space enthusiasts, industry, and governments alike — yet few professional or academic ecologists have commented on its efficacy, or even seem to have heard of it!
In this episode, we debate the legacy of Dr. Akira Miyawaki: the man, the myth, and the method.”
Re: The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry
#3I have seen a couple of these in Berkeley. They were all the rage and still are in some ways.
I personally was initially enthusiastic. However, I think there is much easier ways to get the benefits. For example, by adding trees and landscaping in Parks, medians and other public spaces.
Once a forest is added to an area, it becomes completely inaccessible because of how dense it grows. All of the ones I have seen are completely fenced off.
Re: The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry
#4I have seen a couple of these in Berkeley. They were all the rage and still are in some ways. I personally was initially enthusiastic. However, I think there is much easier ways to get the benefits. For example, by adding trees and landscaping in Parks, medians and other public spaces. Once a forest is added to an area, it becomes completely inaccessible because of how dense it grows. All of the ones I have seen are…
Doesn't seem bad to me. Grow the forest and then let the maintainers cut a miniature trail network. People don't need to tromp all over vegetation for it to be beneficial.
Re: The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry
#5I have seen a couple of these in Berkeley. They were all the rage and still are in some ways. I personally was initially enthusiastic. However, I think there is much easier ways to get the benefits. For example, by adding trees and landscaping in Parks, medians and other public spaces. Once a forest is added to an area, it becomes completely inaccessible because of how dense it grows. All of the ones I have seen are…
The density and inaccessibility (to large birds and mammals) is critical for sensitive species like butterflies. I'd wager we'd see a resurgence in some declining insect populations if there were more dense pockets of forest.
Re: The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry
#6Works well in some ecosystems when people choose the right plant material. With the wrong ecosystem and the wrong plant material it's one of those ideas from the temperate core that fails in the tropical periphery.
Re: The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry
#7Related: The Japanese method of creating forests comes to Mexico
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44013933
(2 months ago, only 4 comments)
Re: The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry
#8Works well in some ecosystems when people choose the right plant material. With the wrong ecosystem and the wrong plant material it's one of those ideas from the temperate core that fails in the tropical periphery.
I don't know what counts as temperate core for you, but Japan is famous for its diverse climate zones.
Re: The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry
#9Works well in some ecosystems when people choose the right plant material. With the wrong ecosystem and the wrong plant material it's one of those ideas from the temperate core that fails in the tropical periphery.
I don't know what counts as temperate core for you, but Japan is famous for its diverse climate zones.
Japan is mostly cold to temperate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Japan
except for some small islands like
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamitorishima
There's a lot of concern that tree-planting projects wind up like this
https://e360.yale.edu/features/phantom-forests-tree-planting...
Re: The Miyawaki Method of micro-forestry
#10I have seen a couple of these in Berkeley. They were all the rage and still are in some ways. I personally was initially enthusiastic. However, I think there is much easier ways to get the benefits. For example, by adding trees and landscaping in Parks, medians and other public spaces. Once a forest is added to an area, it becomes completely inaccessible because of how dense it grows. All of the ones I have seen are…
> However, I think there is much easier ways to get the benefits. For example, by adding trees and landscaping in Parks, medians and other public spaces.
This is a method to add trees and landscaping.
> Once a forest is added to an area, it becomes completely inaccessible because of how dense it grows. All of the ones I have seen are completely fenced off.
It sounds like they're completely inaccessible because of fencing and density. Fencing might be hard to remove, but density at ground level tends to decrease as a forest grows; the canopy blocks sun and lower tree limbs may drop or become less productive and bushier plants have a harder time. After the forest gets somewhat established, pathways are easier to form (although brambles and thickets may need help to clear), and thinning the trees can help the remaining trees thrive.
My parcel has a woods on the edges, and it wasn't too bad to establish paths in most of it, especially with a little help from goats to clean up the ground clutter. Similarly, there are trails in a nearby well established reserve, but you could easily go off trail if you had a reason too... Some bits are too dense to pass through, but most of it is fine. Your local forests likely grow a bit differently than mine though.