Since February 2022, we have been restoring 30 hectares of forest at Crique Korossibo, in the north-west of French Guiana, deep within the Amazon rainforest. The site, damaged by alluvial gold mining, required urgent restoration, accessible only by air.
Our core objectives remain: reducing erosion, restoring soil fertility, and promoting natural regeneration to preserve biodiversity and curb invasive species.
Remarkable progress: vegetation cover reaches 78%
In the early stages, vegetation cover expanded rapidly from 0.3% to 55% within a year. By September 2024, we reached 78%, with plants ranging from 30 cm to over 3 meters tall. The forest now holds an average density of 1,000 trees per hectare, an ideal milestone for reforesting degraded land.
Of the planted vegetation, 12% represents dense, multi-layered forest cover, a critical step toward creating a self-sustaining ecosystem. Ongoing monitoring through drones and satellite imagery continues to guide our restoration process.
Biodiversity and ecosystem recovery
In 2022, we introduced 11 native plant species, of which 9 have successfully established themselves. These species contribute significantly to the recovery of the ecosystem, including the revival of rare and endangered species. This progress reflects the carefully designed reforestation efforts to rebuild the forest’s biodiversity.
Advanced soil restoration efforts
When the project began, 84% of the site was bare and degraded. Our collaboration with Cub'Or, the nearby mining company, has enabled us to reduce bare soil areas to 26%, a critical achievement in restoring soil health for water retention and plant growth.
Looking forward: towards complete restoration
Our next steps include further biodiversity enhancement, monitoring wildlife returns, and boosting soil microbial activity. We aim to reach 90% vegetation cover by the end of 2025, driving toward the long-term goal of creating a self-sustaining, thriving ecosystem.
MORFO’s contribution to ecosystem restoration
As MORFO, we specialize in large-scale ecosystem restoration. Our innovative techniques, such as drone-based seed planting and AI-powered monitoring, have enabled rapid recovery at Crique Korossibo. These technologies, combined with our commitment to local community involvement, ensure sustainable and scalable forest regeneration across the region.
Our efforts are strongly supported by partners like Cub'Or, whose collaboration is essential for our success. As Rafael de Miceli, Geologist Engineer at Cub'Or, states:
"Morfo's innovation and pioneering spirit enable the development of techniques specifically tailored to our challenging conditions. This dynamism, combined with close and effective collaboration between our teams and the administrations, is key. The quality of relationships maintained by Morfo, both within its teams and with our partners and governmental bodies, truly makes a difference."
The Crique Korossibo project exemplifies how advanced restoration practices can transform even the most degraded environments into thriving ecosystems. Our work continues to show that nature, when supported by innovation and community, can rebuild itself in remarkable ways.
