All carbon is not born equal

Ranil Senanayake has never been content trying to influence those at the policymaking table – or even sitting at that table himself.

Instead, the maverick systems ecologist has tried to construct a new table altogether. He set about this by crisscrossing the globe in search of farming communities willing to adopt and be trained in 'analog forestry', a land restoration system he first began developing in the early 1980s in the upland hills of his native Sri Lanka.

The principles behind analog forestry are simple, and spring from the understanding that natural forests are some the most productive, and diverse, ecosystems on Earth.

Analog forestry sets out to mimic the original ecosystems, with subtle adjustments that mean they can be economically productive as well - yielding food and shelter as well as maintaining habitat in ways that will be familiar to those who have studied or who practice permaculture. The scheme also tries to strengthen rural communities, recognising that forests are their homes and livelihoods.

From tree to desk

Despite his preference for field work, Senanayake...

To view the rest of this article - you must be a paying subscriber and Login