How much does it cost to restore a hectare in Colombia?
- escuelabosque3
- Aug 2, 2024
- 2 min read
In the latest podcast we will talk to you about the Restoration of the Ecosystems in Colombia, a Key Investment for the Future of the Amazon, Escuela Bosque undertakes from Florencia Caquetá. Today we will explore a crucial question: How much does it cost to restore one hectare of ecosystem in Colombia? This question is common among investors and companies seeking to mitigate their carbon footprint or take advantage of voluntary carbon markets. We will break down costs based on our experiences between 2021 and 2023.
Restoring one hectare in the Amazon can cost up to 37 million pesos. Soil regeneration is the first step, and can be done through natural or accelerated regeneration. Natural regeneration, although slower, allows nature to do its work, benefiting the ecosystem . However, it requires freeing the land from agricultural activities, which can mean a loss of income of between 800 thousand and 3 million pesos per hectare .
On the other hand, accelerated regeneration involves adding biomass and organic supplements to enrich the soil in less time, at a cost of up to 7 million pesos per hectare . In addition, there are the costs of seeds, fertilizers and labor, which can range between 9 and 11 million pesos per hectare , depending on the plant species.
Property planning is crucial, with costs of up to 5 million pesos to hire surveyors and analyze geographic information systems. Insurance for plantations, essential in the context of climate change, can cost between 220 thousand and 290 thousand pesos annually per hectare.
It is also essential to consider the investment and depreciation costs of the nurseries and equipment. A nursery with capacity for 20,000 to 30,000 trees can cost between 25 and 40 million pesos. The management and care of the planted trees , for at least two years, represents an additional 16 million pesos.
In summary, restoring one hectare of forest in Colombia can cost between 28 and 37 million pesos. At the national level, 720 million pesos would be needed to restore 24 million hectares . This figure, although high, is crucial to mitigate climate change and take advantage of economic opportunities in carbon markets and other emerging financial mechanisms.
Investing in ecosystem restoration is not only necessary due to climate change, but also because of the economic and social benefits it brings. Restoration ensures the provision of vital ecosystem services such as water and soil nutrients , essential for agriculture and agribusiness. Without these services, food security and human health would be at risk.
The global value of ecosystem services is estimated at 125 to 140 trillion dollars annually. Therefore, investing in restoration is essential to meet our global goals and ensure a sustainable future. The question now is: How can we accelerate investments in this sector? We will explore this in future episodes.
In conclusion, the restoration of ecosystems in Colombia is a key investment to confront climate change and ensure the sustainability of our natural resources. It is a challenge that requires collaboration from all sectors, and with innovation and economies of scale, we can make it a reality. From Amazonía Emprende Escuela Bosque , we thank you for your interest and support in this important mission. A big hug from Florencia, Caquetá.
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