CA Synergistic Silvopasture Model:
Restoring large numbers of trees into strategically managed arbors (Silvopasture) is one of the main priorities of the Carbon Analytic plan for securing an energy-abundant future. The fact is, conventional fuel resources are finite and therefor precious. Recent breakthroughs in biomass refinement and power technologies are transforming the practicality of energy-economics, ecology and resource management.
Just as important as creating the energy is doing so in ways which correct for some of the unintended climate consequences of our rapid human development. As we’ll see, Carbon Analytic biomass fuels and energy technologies directly addresses two major anthropomorphic (man-made) threats to climate stability:
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Accumulation of water vapor as a greenhouse gas, quickly condenses out as rain, raising ocean levels. Literally quintillions of gallons of water have been liberated from ancient petroleum deposits during recent industrialization, challenging atmospheric homeostasis. Conversely, biomass derived hydrocarbon fuels are formed when growing plants gather carbon and hydrogen directly from our environment. This means global ecosystems are not further burdened by additional greenhouse elements from the distant geological past. Beyond the greenhouse effects, it is also clear from a growing body of scientific knowledge that too much water vapor accelerates destruction of the ozone layer in an stratospheric 'icing' process, recently chronicled in meteorological studies. We have known for some decades that the earth’s ozone protection has been damaged by other industrial gases, documented by several authorities watching this serious effect... Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.
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Desertification of land areas as an advancing global trend. This is defined as: "Loss of water retention competence". Entire continental regions have been steadily losing their ability to hold water and by extension, to support life. This phenomenon is called desertification.
Fair Use: Global Desertification Trending. This is a primary outcome of unfortunate forestry and agricultural practices like clear-cutting, improper tilling and over-use of synthetic chemicals. Such practices pose threats which Carbon Analytic seeks to reverse, with silvopasture tree arbors being a good model of example.
Fortunately, many of our environmental challenges can be directly mitigated through large scale cultivation and clean combustion of refined biomass fuels! Carbon Analytic Biomass Silvopastures are well suited to colonize and regenerate poor or under-producing land tracts which have gone fallow or become overly dependent on irrigation and artificial inputs. Large volumes of on-demand biomass fuels are cultivated to maintain these volumes on a profitable basis, conserving finite conventional fossil fuel sources as a practical turn-key solution.
Creating a well managed silvopasture arbor on marginal land begins with soil testing, followed by the application of slow release organic compounds to correct for 'ph' and basic deficiencies. Pasture is then seeded according to regional conditions with selected, deep rooted grass and legumes. Because there is strength in diversity, local volunteer species are not discouraged and weed killers are not applied. This combination is symbiotic and vigorous. Powerful root systems quickly reach deep water stores and condition the topsoil to absorb and hold rain or irrigation water. Species like alfalfa have tap roots that are so aggressive they will break up hard-pans structures in the subsoil, a critical step in soil regeneration.
Some may question: "what does seeding a pasture have to do with biomass arbors"? Over the season as the pasture becomes established, trees are planted in a grid pattern, usually spaced for selective harvest at 5-10 years depending on conditions and species selected. Three or more regionally compatible species are inter-mixed evenly throughout. This creates natural bio-diversity, facilitating all three varieties to communicate and exchange beneficial plant compounds, lending vitality as found in wild tree stands. This raises general vigor and resistance to blight, which often plagues mono-culture (single-species) plantations.
In similar ways, pasture and trees also mutually support each other through their root systems. In addition, legumes fix nitrogen from air and donate their surplus to trees. The lush pasture growth quickly conditions the soil surface to absorb and hold water while deep tree roots pump water from sub-soils and actually contribute it to the topsoil, supporting the pasture. This affinity between certain trees and grasses was well known, especially among orcharders before weed killers became widespread. Grasses grow better beneath the partial shade of the tree canopy. One of our favorite deep rooted fodder species is aptly named: Orchard Grass.
Here’s the game changer: Livestock is introduced! Once the young trees are sturdy enough, a highly specialized and successful system of livestock management is employed known as “The Savory Method”. The Savory Institute is an international organization which promotes and certifies Stockmen in the skills of land restoration. The key is controlling the intensity at which an area is grazed to mimic the action of wild herds on their migrations. Not too much, not too little. Cost effective reversal of desertification along with gains in productivity and soil quality have proven themselves worldwide. The process makes a valuable contribution to Carbon Analytic silvopasture systems.
Hay is cut and stored as typical to over-winter livestock. Both hay and stock can be sold at grower discretion on a seasonal basis as the trees or other biomass crops grow through their cycle.
We generally select fast growing, energy dense tree varieties, known among foresters as “Early Successional Tree Species” such as alder or birch. These are non-shade tolerant and are the first to colonize following a clearing event. In wild settings they disintegrate as they reach a larger stature, making way for shade tolerant, mid and late successional species surviving below like maple and oak, respectively.
Growers can choose how they introduce trees. The total capacity can be planted all at once with the full or selective harvest at 5-10 years or could take place over consecutive or alternating years, setting up smaller, more frequent harvests.
At harvest, trees are ‘coppiced’ or cut low to the ground. After a short time, new shoots sprout from the bark ring. One shoot is chosen per stump, which become the next crop without the need for replanting. They grow quickly from their fully developed root systems. Well established mycorrhizal networks (beneficial soil microbes) living there stay intact and continue to sequester atmospheric carbon deep into the soil as humus.
This process of tree harvest does not result in soil damage. The pasture is maintained as needed along with the livestock, perpetuating their cumulative benefits as the next generation of trees springs forth. Various options available at grower discretion which allow them customize a program most suitable for their needs. Livestock can be visited to farms without livestock as mobile grazers / foragers for livestock farmers that need to graze animals.
This 5-10 year cycle can be repeated for 3 or more cycles, at which time the grower has several main options:
1). Re-planting similar species and continuing the model.
2). Returning the area to pasture by mowing over the stumps until volunteer shoots cease.
3). Planting mid and late successional species among the stumps and letting the area cycle naturally to old growth forest.
In the bigger picture as the biomass fuel solution becomes widespread, Carbon Analytic arbors and parallel projects will have an authentic stabilizing value, both economically and environmentally. Large volumes of water and carbon will again be stored in healthy soil systems. In time, this will help steady ocean levels and lower CO2 and water vapor 'greenhouse' gases. Generating more and more energy from biomass fuels dramatically curbs input of compounds from other eras, a choice which ultimately falls within human discretion.
Note: 'Greenhouse' is a coined term that oversimplifies the heat dynamics between Earth and space.
The future is not easily read with 100% accuracy. However, as human civilization continues to grow, learning to manage known risks proactively becomes ever more critical.
Carbon Analytic energy models salvage and regenerate lands, benefit climate stability and support a sustainable, high performance grid. They foster new business and jobs creation on a massive scale and conserve irreplaceable conventional fuel reserves for their most suitable purposes.