'CO2 Revolution's system has already proved useful in the Alto Tajo Natural Park in Guadalajara, north-central Spain, where the startup has released seeds of native species in a large section of the 1,200 hectares that were devastated by fire six years ago.
The planting took place in late August, and Sesma reckons that by September the plants were already growing to plan.''A Spanish startup says it's developed a cheap method of rapidly rebuilding damaged ecosystems using Iseeds. ?
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The startup, based in Mélida in Navarre and Madrid, Spain, offers its services to organizations and institutions wanting to replant after wildfires or to reforest large tracts of land to offset carbon footprints. And the company says it can do it in hours and at a low cost.
"The traditional planting method is slow, expensive and inefficient. We can create ecosystems 1,000 times faster for a 10th of the cost," Sesma tells ZDNet.
"With a couple of drones, we can plant the equivalent of one and a half soccer fields in 10 minutes for €0.10 [11 cents] per tree."
First, the startup's software analyzes the native species in each location as well as the soil and climate they need.
Then these parameters are used to create an Iseed biodegradable capsule, which contains a germinated seed together with components such as fertilizers, water, and pesticides against potential predators to ensure the viability of the seedlings "with an 80 percent chance of success".
Then drones use GPS to conduct the planting process, with tanks containing 2,500 Iseeds, following plans created by the analytics software in accordance with regulations on drone use. In Spain, flights always have to be carried out in direct line of sight, so the drone is never more than 500m from its operator.
CO2 Revolution's system has already proved useful in the Alto Tajo Natural Park in Guadalajara, north-central Spain, where the startup has released seeds of native species in a large section of the 1,200 hectares that were devastated by fire six years ago.
The planting took place in late August, and Sesma reckons that by September the plants were already growing to plan.
The company is talking with local bodies to extend the scope of the project and is open to international actions.
"With our system, California could be reforested in just a few weeks with native species," he says.
However, he believes that laws will also have to change so that those responsible for damage and pollution are held more accountable.'
- Anna Solana,
Drones, data analytics, smart seeds: How to reforest 1,000 times faster after wildfires, November 8, 2018
Context(Global Healing 2020 - 2050) - Global Greening - the rise of agro-forestry - '..global attempt to plant and restore forest land..'How air pollution is destroying our health - WHOEnding greenhouse gas emission before 2050 - Summary for Policymakers, - Global Warming of 1.5 °C