introduction to analog forestry

Analog Forestry

Restoring the planet’s life support systems

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Analog Forestry 101

• What is Analog Forestry?

• The Analog Forestry way–Analog Forestry methods–Mimicking nature–12 Principles

• Forest products

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Analog Forestry 101

• What is Analog Forestry?

• The Analog Forestry way–Analog Forestry methods–Mimicking nature–12 Principles

• Forest products

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

What is Analog Forestry?

Analog forestry is an ecological restoration tool that helps to restore the life support systems of the planet – represented by

healthy, biodiverse ecosystems

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

What is Analog Forestry?Analog Forestry is based in interventions for small farmers and indigenous communies to maintain and restore their forests

while improving their income and livelihoods

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Analog Forestry

Biology: An organ or structure that is

similar in function to one in another kind of organism.

Chemistry: A structural

derivative of a parent compound that often differs

from it by a single element.

The science of planting and taking

care of trees and managing forests

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Planting forests that are similar in architectural structures and ecological functions to the original

climax forest.

Analog Forestry

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Analog Forestry as a restoration tool

Creation of ecologically stable and socio-economically productive landscapes

Ecological restoration of life support systems

History

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

• Initially practiced in Guatemala and California in the 1970s

• Based on the traditional ‘home gardens’ of tropical Asia

• Concepts were tested on the ground in Sri Lanka in 1983

• The International Analog Forestry Network was created in 1996 to develop and popularize the AF model

Why restoration?

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

The world’s life support systems are threatened by deforestation, monoculture plantations, landgrabs

and the degradation of forest ecosystems, all of which should be seen as opportunities for

restoration

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Analog Forestry as a silviculture method

Augments biodiversity for resilience and productivity

Minimizes external inputs, such as agrochemicals and fossil fuels

Complex and holistic form of silviculture

Analog Forestry 101

• What is Analog Forestry?

• The Analog Forestry way–Analog Forestry methods–Mimicking nature–12 Principles

• Forest products

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

The Analog Forest way

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

1. Record the structure of the natural forest with the help of a physiognomic formula

2. Mapping and ecological evaluation of the degraded area that shall be reforested

The Analog Forest way

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

3. Use a database to find out about the properties of the plants you want to grow

4. Design your food forest

The Analog Forest way

Design(Map)

Structure(Formula)

Function(Database)

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Mimicking nature

Observe and record the architecture and ecological functions of the natural forest

Use ecological succession to reach your goal of a mature ecosystem

Select species that are analogous in structure and function to plants in the mature forest

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Following succession

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

12 Analog Forestry Principles

7. Be guided by the landscape

4. Identify levels of yield

1. Observe and record

2. Understand and evaluate

3. Know your land

9. Use ecological processes

5. Map flows and reservoirs

8. Follow ecological succession

12. Respond creatively

6. Reduce external inputs

10. Value Biodiversity

11. Respect maturity

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Analog Forestry 101

• What is Analog Forestry?

• The Analog Forestry way–Analog Forestry methods–Mimicking nature–12 Principles

• Forest products

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Forest Products• Analog Forestry aims to

create ecologically stable and socio-economically productive landscapes

• Emphasizes production of a diversity of useful and marketable goods and services from the forest

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Certification• The Forest Garden

Products certification standard markets products derived from Analog Forestry

• Producers adhere to organic principles while increasing biodiversity

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Restoring the planet’s life-support systems.

Forest products

Australia: Ballarat Tree Growers; Total Ecosystem

Management

Belgium: WeForest

Cameroon: CENDEP

Canada: Falls Brook Centre

Colombia: AMICHOCO

Costa Rica: ARBOFILIA; CCBA; Eco Era

Cuba: Agroforestry Research Institute

Dominican Republic: ENDA-Dom

Ecuador: ClimAmbiente

France: Guayapi

India: India Development Project;

Sahajasamrudha

Sri Lanka: Conservation Carbon Company;

F.G.P; FSHS; Rainforest Rescue International

Netherlands: Both ENDS

Togo: Les Compagnons

Ruraux

USA: Grayson LandCare;

Institute for Cultural Ecology;

Care of Earth

Honduras: FUCSA

Philippines: NTFP-EP

Brazil: Consorcio dos Productores Sateré-Mawé

Analog Forestry around the world

Peru: Arbio