Pachamama, as the saying goes, embodies the adage "Don't judge a book by its cover." Your initial impression upon entering is one of substantial destruction: timber logs scattered about and imposing alien invasive trees casting their shadow. Yet, as you journey around the corner, you are greeted by a breathtaking blend of Afro-montane forest and fynbos, charming cottages nestled among the trees, and an impressively thriving nursery seamlessly integrated into the landscape.
The area designated for clearing of alien invasive trees is vast and continually expanding. These trees will find their way into the timber trade as cut planks or be processed into mulch. This mulch plays a crucial role in nurturing the growth of indigenous trees, aiding in retaining water around their roots when they are planted. The Forest Restoration Monitoring team was profoundly impressed by the unwavering commitment of the landowners to eradicate unwanted invasive species and restore the natural ecosystem at Pachamama.
Our monitoring journey commenced with the examination of the newest planting sites. Regrettably, strong winds in the nights prior to our visit toppled two blue gums onto two of the fixed plots. Swift action by Pachamama workers ensured most of the debris was cleared before our arrival, mitigating the damage to the young seedlings. The plots near the entrance seemed somewhat stressed and waterlogged due to road runoff, endangering the young trees. Fortunately, the issue has been resolved, and the plants are showing signs of recovery.
The team successfully surveyed all five fixed plots in this recently planted section. Additionally, they replaced two wooden fixed-point photography (FPP) poles with metal ones and installed a sign explaining how the public can contribute as citizen scientists. We hope to see a wealth of images in the near future.
On the following day, our team concluded the transects for the two older sites, witnessing the thriving fynbos on this land. Despite the dense vegetation, the young planted trees remain robust, biding their time under the foliage, ready to flourish. A notable highlight is the patch of keurbooms, standing tall at over 3 meters and in full bloom, a sight to behold.
Parts of the reforested area seamlessly blend with the gardens and quaint cottages on Pachamama, making for an intriguing transect. It is truly remarkable to witness the remarkable progress despite the site's exposure. Recent rains have contributed to the overall health and vitality of the sites.
As expected, the alien invasive seedlings are making a resurgence. Our team diligently hand-pulled many of these, but some have already grown too large. When the time is right, these will be removed and chipped for mulch, enriching the soil for future plantings of indigenous trees.
We eagerly anticipate the flourishing of this land as the majority of the clearing work reaches completion. Pachamama holds immense potential, and we hope it serves as an inspiration for neighboring farms to embark on the journey of clearing alien invasive species and restoring the land to its natural glory.