Environment

Dry forest, one of the most threatened ecosystems due to the ease of change associated with human activities. This ecosystem is home to a large number of species whose populations have suffered some kind of modification as a result of traditional unsustainable extraction practices.

Of the five carbon compartments that can be measured in a forest (live aerial biomass, underground biomass, debris or dead wood, litter, soil organic matter), the carbon stock in living aerial biomass and organic matter was determined. from the ground, because they are the compartments that store the most carbon in a forest.

From 2015 to the present date, we have planted more than 10,000 palosanto trees, conducting scientific studies in conjunction with the Technical University of Manabi (UTM), which allows us to learn more about Bursera's Graveolens: the composition of the forest, stored carbon (CO2), monitoring the development of trees, etc. This information will allow us the sustainable use of the palo santo "holy wood".

We have been working with our program of reforestation and restoration of the dry forests of Manabí for almost 10 years.

We planted 500 PaloSanto trees in the city of Montecristi, as part of the campaign Plant a tree with us.This event was held on December 7, 2019 with the participation of Fabrizio Vera and the Boy Scout Cristi.

Ten years ago it started an investigation about the history and properties of the Palo Santo tree located in Puerto Lopez County, in the Manabi Province. 

The dry forest is considered an area of great biological importance because of the number of species of flora and fauna that this has, including the Palo Santo; this tree has a distinctive, pleasing and intense aroma.

The Integrated Management Plan includes meetings of association with nearby communities. This meeting is made so that the people agree with the Reforestation Plan sustainably.

The Integral Management Plan has to be socialized with the Joa community. This is a populated community. Here live families with limited economic resources. They go to the city to buy their food and personal items.

The Integrated Management Plan is being done in the Cerrito sector in the Jipijapa canton of the province of Manabí. It has gone through several stages; Since the creation of the project, the meeting with the community, the survey in the community and finally get the sustainable use of Palo Santo.