Invasive alien plant clearing, biochar and ecological restoration

When curiosity meets passion for protecting indigenous biodiversity, a beautiful drive for biological conservation ensues.

Perivoli Lagoon House aims to restore areas that have been badly affected by invasive alien vegetation.

Rather than simply clearing and burning the accumulated biomass of these invasive alien plants, which is common practice, it is important to gain an understanding of the longer-term impact these plants may have had on the soil and surrounding ecosystem, and what may be needed to help indigenous vegetation recover.

To this end, Perivoli hopes to work with students and researchers from the University of Cape Town to:

Through a process known as “pyrolysis”, invasive alien vegetation is burned in the absence of oxygen in specialised “Kontiki Kilns”.

This is biochar, which permanently fixes carbon that can be deposited back into the soil instead of it being released back into the atmosphere.

Perivoli has already identified a trial site where dense invasive alien vegetation has been cleared. This site was cleared to install a solar farm, which now produces renewable energy for the property.

The long-term objective is to see whether Perivoli can restore this previously invaded area towards its natural state while also finding a productive use for the biomass removed during alien clearing.

Perivoli is also involved in pilot projects in Namibia where encroacher bush is being converted into biochar for carbon removal and soil regeneration.

Have a look at their incredible strides towards conservation: https://perivolifoundation.com/perivoli-rangeland-institute/