A novel method for reforestation of desertified areas using composites for encapsulating moisture

Soil has stored organic carbon in the form of humus for thousands years. One of the main problems in the near future is agricultural land degradation due to excessively intensive farming. The aric and semi-arid lands in Kenya constitues about 80% (467,200 sq.km) of total land mass. Thus, the arid and semiarid land hosts 35% of Kenyas population (13 million people). The objective of the project was to explore the feasibility of restoring vegetation in desertified areas by implementing individual, isolated moisture reservoirs for each plant, filled with a water-binding composite material. The ultimate goal of this study includes the rapid reforestation of desertified areas, accompanied by the restoration of the region's moisture regime to mitigate climate change. Additionally, it aims at carbon dioxide sequestration in emerging forest areas, as well as C binding in a solidifying composite material. The study also seeks to create conditions for the regeneration of the natural ecosystem and reduce the pressure on the remaining forests by providing additional wood resources.

It is essential to acknowledge that the experimental plantation, situated at Kenyatta University, would remain part of the permanent landscaping according to the university's agreement. The eucalyptus sp. was excluded, and more widely used plant species for the region were chosen. After careful deliberation —Grevillea robusta, Casuarina equisetifolia, and Jacaranda mimosifolia—were chosen as commonly used species for local agroforestry systems. The plantation was established after dry season in september, 2023. The local resource based biomaterials were used for composites mixtures and planting materials were created. For some variants hydroinsulation with bioplymer designed biofilm was used.