The Miyawaki Method: revegetating the planet via mini forests
By Claire Laws 15 June 2023
Human modification of the landscape has contributed to widespread habitat loss and reduced biodiversity across the globe, particularly in urban areas. In recognition of this, the United Nations has declared the years 2021 to 2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Whilst we rely on healthy landscapes and ecosystems for clean air, water and food, connecting with nature is also key to our wellbeing. Therefore, we owe it to ourselves, as well as all other living beings, to help nature regenerate. One revegetation technique that is becoming increasingly popular in Australia, and is already commonly used overseas, is the method of planting mini forests in urban areas and on degraded land – this is known as the Miyawaki Method.
What is the Miyawaki Method?
The Miyawaki Method was developed by a Japanese botanist called Akira Miyawaki in the 1980s. Miyawaki was interested in restoring and revegetating areas of land which had been modified by humans, and he took inspiration from nature and forest ecosystems to guide his actions.
Basically, the Miyawaki Method of revegetation aims to mimic the way plants would reclaim bare land in the absence of humans, ultimately forming a dense and self-sustaining mini forest. This planting method is ideal for urban environments and is generally undertaken on sites 200m2 or smaller (no bigger than the size of a tennis court).
In line with natural ecosystems, the Miyawaki Method uses a diverse mix of Indigenous (locally native) plants – up to 40 different species may be used in a single planting. This helps maximise the resilience and productivity of the planting. The plants selected are intended to create multiple (often 4) layers of vegetation, like in natural forests – this includes tall trees, smaller trees, shrubs and groundcovers. The seedlings are planted very close together, with up to 4 trees planted per square metre, replicating the competition experienced by newly germinated seedlings in natural forests. The competition among seedlings encourages faster and denser growth and, as a result, the mini forests are established within 20-30 years. Natural forests take hundreds of years to establish!
Productive and healthy soil is also an essential component of the Miyawaki Method. Therefore, site preparation often involves working the soil, which may include restoring beneficial fungi and adding mulch. If designed well, mini forest plantings only require maintenance such as watering and weeding for the first 2-3 years. After this time, they should become established and resilient and no longer require human input.
The Miyawaki Method aims to return the small patches of revegetated land to nature – the ecosystem you’ve created will be in balance (maintained via the many interactions between the plants and animals within them), making them self-sustaining.
What are the benefits of planting mini forests via the Miyawaki Method?
Supporters of using the Miyawaki Method to revegetate urban spaces and restore degraded land advocate their many benefits – these include benefits to biodiversity, human health and wellbeing, and cost and time savings compared to other revegetation methods.
Firstly, because the chosen plants are Indigenous and adapted to the local conditions, they require less maintenance and are more likely to survive and thrive. They are also more likely to be favoured by the local wildlife, including birds and pollinators, so the biodiversity benefits are great.
As the seedlings are planted very close together, they are encouraged to grow faster and become denser – it has been reported that plants grown via this method grow up to 10 times faster. As mentioned above, mini forests can be established in as little as 20-30 years, creating dense, multi-layered and diverse habitat for local wildlife.
The mini forests created via the Miyawaki Method can act as habitat stepping stones, linking urban areas with larger areas of habitat within conservation areas (or on private land). In this way, mini forests may also contribute to widespread and regional level environmental and biodiversity benefits, on top of their more local benefits.
Healthy and diverse ecosystems, such as those created via the Miyawaki Method, improve water and air quality. They’re also more resilient to environmental changes and disturbance, including pests and disease – if one plant or species doesn’t do so well, the other plants can fill its role in the ecosystem. Due to the dense planting and fast growth of plants, there’s also less need for manual weeding and no chemical spraying is required – the plants fill the empty space quickly and leave no room for unwanted weeds. As mini forests are self-sufficient after about 2-3 years, they save time and money which is often spent on follow-up maintenance.
The social benefits of planting mini forests via the Miyawaki Method are obvious. As only small areas of land are required, they’re a perfect option for urban areas and a great way to connect people with nature. We know that time spent in nature is important for human wellbeing. Additionally, as these plantings are often undertaken in groups and by communities, they’re also a great way to build relationships and foster a shared sense of environmental stewardship.
The Miyawaki Method in action – mini forests are being planted all over the world
The technique of planting mini forests has been adopted all over the world, including within Australia. You can take a look at some of the projects supported by SUGi and Afforestt, for example. There has been lots of support for mini forests across Europe and also in India, with reported benefits to both people and biodiversity.
In Australia, we have a growing number of mini forests, some of which have been supported by National Tree Day and Planet Ark's Seedling Bank.
Brettacorp Inc. (QLD)
Brettacorp Inc. have been revegetating and creating habitat via the Miyawaki Method in the Cassowary Coast region of Far North QLD.
In 2020, Planet Ark’s Seedling Bank provided funding for seedlings used in their pilot mini forest planting at Tully. They’re now planting more mini forests in QLD’s Far North.
Tree Rites (NSW)
Tree Rites runs community-led reforestation projects which are inspired by the Miyawaki Method. Many of their mini forests have been planted around Sydney, highlighting the important role they can play in promoting biodiversity and connecting people with nature in urban environments.
Last year, Planet Ark's Seedling Bank supported one of their mini forest plantings in Dungog, in NSW’s Hunter Region, which was carried out on industrial farmland. We are also supporting another one of their mini forest plantings this year.
South Padbury Primary School (WA)
South Padbury Primary School in WA was the first Australian school to plant a mini forest via the Miyawaki Method. This planting, conducted in 2021, was also the first mini forest created in WA. Planet Ark’s Seedling Bank provided funding for the seedlings.
Run by Dr Grey Coupland from Murdoch University, this mini forest planting is part of a wider citizen science program which was highlighted by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s Green Citizens campaign.
Feeling Inspired? Join the global effort to revegetate and regenerate nature - support National Tree Day on Sunday 30th July!
If you’re keen to lend a hand this National Tree Day, join a local community planting near you – you can find nearby plantings here.
If you’d like to run your own planting (and perhaps consider using the Miyawaki Method) you can learn more about hosting a National Tree Day planting here.
If you’re unable to join us on the ground this National Tree Day, there’s always the option of donating to The Seedling Bank to help us support more community plantings like those highlighted above.
Claire joined the Planet Ark team in 2021. With a background in Environmental Science and a Masters in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, Claire is keen to build on her previous work in ecological research and be part of Planet Ark's actions-based approach to environmental protection.
