Seed Bank Technology for Forest Conservation - May 2003

Seed Bank Technology for Forest Conservation - May 2003

Nagaoka Environmental Development Co., Ltd., based in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, utilizes "Seed Bank Technology" for the greening of forest slopes. This technology involves chipping felled trees such as cedar and pine, mixing them with seeds and fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) collected from the local soil, and spraying the mixture for vegetation growth. It is particularly effective for slope restoration and is expected to reduce costs by more than 50% compared to conventional tree planting methods.

Through this technology, Nagaoka Environmental Development not only prevents the invasion of foreign species but also effectively regenerates native plants. Furthermore, this technology has improved the re-vegetation rate per hectare from 25% to 35%, allowing the company to promote forest regeneration projects covering 10 hectares annually.

This initiative aims to maintain local ecosystems while promoting the sustainable use of forest resources. The technology is gaining traction among other forest conservation businesses in the prefecture. Additionally, the company has received subsidies through the government's "Environmental Restoration Program," further supporting regional forest regeneration efforts.