What is Miyawaki Method?

About Miyawaki Method:

• It is a method of afforestation developed by the Japanese botanist and plant ecology expert Professor Akira Miyawaki.
• It involves planting two to four types of indigenous trees within every square meter.
• Due to the dense planting, the seedlings grow quickly as they compete for sunlight.
• Only native species that would occur naturally in that area without humans, given the specific climate condition, are planted. 
• The selection of species to plant in a given area was originally linked to the theory of potential natural vegetation (PNV), in other words, the vegetation that would occur in a specific area without further human interference.
• In this method, the trees become self-sustainable and grow to their full length within three years.
• Miyawaki forests grow 10x faster, are 30x denser and contain 100x more biodiversity. 
• They are quick to establish, maintenance-free after the first two-to-three years, and can be created on sites as small as 3 sq. m.
• The goals of a Miyawaki technique include improving biodiversity, sequestering carbon, increasing green cover, lowering air pollution, and preserving the water table.
• Miyawaki forests are viable solutions for cities looking to rapidly build climate resilience.

It is effective because it is based on natural reforestation principles, i.e., using trees native to the area and replicating natural forest regeneration processes.

Q1: What is an urban heat island?

Structures such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes such as forests and water bodies. Urban areas, where these structures are highly concentrated and greenery is limited, become “islands” of higher temperatures relative to outlying areas. These pockets of heat are referred to as “heat islands.” Heat islands can form under a variety of conditions, including during the day or night, in small or large cities, in suburban areas, in northern or southern climates, and in any season.

Source: Japan’s Miyawaki mini forests to combat urban heat island, pollution: Forest dept