Deforestation is an immense problem for the Kenyan people. Each year, a staggering 120,000 acres of forests are lost due to illegal logging and urbanization. That also leads to a serious water shortage in the country because trees collect, filter, and release rain into streams and rivers. In an attempt to boost reforestation efforts, an organization has created ‘seedballs’, which are tree and plant seeds covered in a coating of charcoal and nutrients. The coating helps protect the seeds from predators like birds, rodents, and insects, as well as extreme temperatures, until the rain arrives. Once the seedballs get soaked from the rain, the coating retains and prolongs a moist environment around the seed to encourage it to sprout. While seedballs alone won’t stop deforestation, they have the potential to make a big impact in growing forests, saving ecosystems and reducing the effects of climate change.
Charcoal-coated seeds could help reverse deforestation in Kenya
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