Carbon Compensation
through reforestation
Forestry concept:
Carbon Compensation
In addition to our Forestry Concept: Sustainable Forestry we have developed another innovative reforestation concept, which focuses on carbon storage: the Forestry Concept – Carbon Compensation.
The overarching goal of our afforestation concept is the emergence of a near-natural forest in which natural, self-regulating cycles take place through sensibly complementary accompanying vegetation (“cover crops”) and limited interventions. This creates a resilient plant community that removes a particularly large amount of carbon from the atmosphere and stores it as carbon compared to other reforestation projects.
Depending on the site, an individual selection from up to 24 different, predominantly native tree species is made. These tree species differ in growth rate, carbon storage capacity, and life span – and they complement each other in meaningful ways. We thus provide the impetus for a self-contained ecosystem resembling a rainforest, which continues to permanently unfold without human intervention and the use of chemicals.
Forestry Concept:
Carbon Compensation
In addition to our Forestry Concept: Sustainable Forestry we have developed another innovative reforestation concept, which focuses on carbon storage: the Forestry Concept – Carbon Compensation.
The overarching goal of our afforestation concept is the emergence of a near-natural forest in which natural, self-regulating cycles take place through sensibly complementary accompanying vegetation (“cover crops”) and limited interventions. This creates a resilient plant community that removes a particularly large amount of carbon from the atmosphere and stores it as carbon compared to other reforestation projects.
Depending on the site, an individual selection from up to 24 different, predominantly native tree species is made. These tree species differ in growth rate, carbon storage capacity, and life span – and they complement each other in meaningful ways. We thus provide the impetus for a self-contained ecosystem resembling a rainforest, which continues to permanently unfold without human intervention and the use of chemicals.
Special features
What makes our planting concept really special is that wherever possible, we use mainly seeds – and seedlings to a limited extent.
In addition to the tree seeds of the target tree species, supplementary vegetation (1) is sown around the planting hole. This contains, for example, legumes that bind atmospheric nitrogen to improve soil quality. It is also intended to protect our tree seedlings from pests and from the effects of the weather.
Subsequently, root and tuber plants such as yucca and turmeric are planted adjacent to this planting circle (supplementary vegetation 2), which offer a further contribution to protection against pests and also act as ground cover and shade.
Our concept is based on imitating natural forest development. This enables the emergence of a resilient plant community that guarantees care, protection and growth for our target tree species.
Special features
What makes our planting concept really special is that wherever possible, we use mainly seeds – and seedlings to a limited extent.
In addition to the tree seeds of the target tree species, supplementary vegetation (1) is sown around the planting hole. This contains, for example, legumes that bind atmospheric nitrogen to improve soil quality. It is also intended to protect our tree seedlings from pests and from the effects of the weather.
Subsequently, root and tuber plants such as yucca and turmeric are planted adjacent to this planting circle (supplementary vegetation 2), which offer a further contribution to protection against pests and also act as ground cover and shade.
Our concept is based on imitating natural forest development. This enables the emergence of a resilient plant community that guarantees care, protection and growth for our target tree species.
Subsequently, root and tuber plants such as yucca and turmeric are planted adjacent to this planting circle (supplementary vegetation 2), which offer a further contribution to protection against pests and also act as ground cover and shade.
Our concept is based on imitating natural forest development. This enables the emergence of a resilient plant community that guarantees care, protection and growth for our target tree species.
Our Fincas
Los Chiles
Los Chiles is our northernmost site and is located on the border with Nicaragua. The southern part of this reforestation area borders directly on the well-known protected area “Refugio de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro”. Through our reforestation work, we are expanding existing biodiversity corridors and creating new habitats for flora and fauna. Before we acquired the approximately 720 hectares of land in 2022, this area was predominantly used for livestock farming – and its condition was degraded accordingly.
FAST FACTS
Location: Region “Alujuela”; canton “Los Chiles”
Size: 721ha
Subdivision: Caño Negro & Llano Alegre
Reforestation(s): Start in 2022
Tree species: A site-specific selection of 24 predominantly indigenous tree species with high carbon sequestration potential and different growth rates, e.g. Almendro and Botarrama.
Guatuso
Guatuso, with its approximately 820 hectares, is our largest site in the north of Costa Rica and borders the “Volcán Tenorio” National Park. This region is mainly characterized by its topographical features with its hilly landscape. This topography is very similar to that of our farm in La Virgen. The reforestation of forest is particularly important in these regions to prevent soil erosion. Before we acquired this land in 2022, it was used for cattle ranching.
FAST FACTS
Location: Region “Alujuela”; canton “Guatuso” and “San Carlos”
Size: 827ha
Subdivision: El Pato 1,2,3, Quebradon 1,2, Santa Lucia
Reforestation(s): Start in 2022
Tree species: A site-specific selection of 24 predominantly indigenous tree species with high carbon sequestration potential and different growth rates, e.g. Almendro and Botarrama.
Our Fincas
Los Chiles
Los Chiles is our northernmost site and is located on the border with Nicaragua. The southern part of this reforestation area borders directly on the well-known protected area “Refugio de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro”. Through our reforestation work, we are expanding existing biodiversity corridors and creating new habitats for flora and fauna. Before we acquired the approximately 720 hectares of land in 2022, this area was predominantly used for livestock farming – and its condition was degraded accordingly.
FAST FACTS
Location: Region “Alujuela”; canton “Los Chiles”
Size: 721ha
Subdivision: Caño Negro & Llano Alegre
Reforestation(s): Start in 2022
Tree species: A site-specific selection of 24 predominantly indigenous tree species with high carbon sequestration potential and different growth rates, e.g. Almendro and Botarrama.
Guatuso
Guatuso, with its approximately 820 hectares, is our largest site in the north of Costa Rica and borders the “Volcán Tenorio” National Park. This region is mainly characterized by its topographical features with its hilly landscape. This topography is very similar to that of our farm in La Virgen. The reforestation of forest is particularly important in these regions to prevent soil erosion. Before we acquired this land in 2022, it was used for cattle ranching.
FAST FACTS
Location: Region “Alujuela”; canton “Guatuso” and “San Carlos”
Size: 827ha
Subdivision: El Pato 1,2,3, Quebradon 1,2, Santa Lucia
Reforestation(s): Start in 2022
Tree species: A site-specific selection of 24 predominantly indigenous tree species with high carbon sequestration potential and different growth rates, e.g. Almendro and Botarrama.