How does Plan Vivo conserve and restore ecosystems?
Plan Vivo projects build natural capital. Trees make the physical environment more resilient, improving watersheds and biodiversity conservation, protecting crops, preventing soil erosion and increasing productivity (with little input of labour) through nutrient recycling and shade. By introducing agroforestry systems, farmers benefit from more balanced agricultural systems. By increasing the use of systems like agroforestry and woodlots for timber and fuel wood, projects reduce pressure (e.g. from agricultural encroachment and firewood and charcoal extraction) on local forests and conservation areas, helping to protect local biodiversity and watersheds.
