Strengthening Resilience in Reforestation: The Collaboration between Mosan and Vivamos Mejor
Since 2020, Mosan and Vivamos Mejor have built a partnership grounded in shared values, working alongside rural communities in Guatemala to advance agroecology and environmental restoration.
From 2021 to 2024, they conducted a three-year research collaboration with the Sustainable Agroecosystems Group at ETH Zurich, Mosan, and Vivamos Mejor.
The ETH Zurich Sustainable Agroecosystems Group, led by Prof. Johan Six—experts in carbon and nitrogen cycles, livelihoods, and food security—focused this research on field trials and analysis of Mosan’s biochar application in two key areas: reforestation seedlings and maize crops.
The results were highly promising:
Reforestation Trees:
- Mosan biochar increased root weight by 60% compared to manure alone.
- Even against synthetic fertilizers like Basacote 6M, the biochar treatment showed 10% greater root weight.
- Seedling quality indices were equal to or better with biochar than with synthetic fertilizer.
These outcomes are crucial because robust root growth in reforestation trees is a key predictor of seedling survival and resilience after field transplanting, especially in harsh environments without regular moisture.
Maize:
- Biochar-enriched treatments yielded a 25% harvest increase compared to synthetic fertilizer (20-20 Nitrogen Phosphorus).
- Mosan biochar also significantly improved soil moisture retention.
These findings create major opportunities for farmers: more sustainable alternatives to fertilizers that regenerate soil (preventing erosion, greatly enhancing moisture and nutrient uptake).
Vivamos Mejor’s Lasting Impact on Lake Atitlán:
For over two decades, Vivamos Mejor has been a cornerstone of reforestation efforts around Lake Atitlán.
This region faces severe deforestation—the main driver of erosion and depletion of groundwater reserves. Growing reliance on firewood for cooking worsens the strain on this vital ecosystem. Many existing reforestation initiatives prioritize fast-growing species like pine and cypress, overlooking native and endangered ones. Vivamos Mejor actively counters this by partnering with communities to restore degraded lands through reforestation with native and endangered species, such as Aguacatillo (Ocotea salvinii), Mountain Cherry (Prunus guatemalensis), and Guatemalan Fir (Abies guatemalensis).
However, climate change poses a growing threat to these efforts. Erratic weather patterns—like unexpected droughts or excessive rains—are directly reducing survival rates of newly planted trees in the field, especially native species.
Biochar: An Innovation for Climate Adaptation
Given Mosan biochar’s strong positive effect on root growth, Vivamos Mejor is now leading its use in reforestation projects.
This strategic integration aims to boost tree survival rates in the field and enhance climate adaptation by improving moisture retention. Biochar is being applied to 5,000 trees, enabling reforestation of five hectares. This marks a major step toward more resilient and effective reforestation in Guatemala, serving as a model for innovative practices.
Biochar was added to growth substrates in June 2025. The young trees will be monitored in the nursery and after field planting, scheduled for June 2026. Data collection will use random samples, tracking height and root development in the nursery stage, plus survival rates in the field.
Impact of Biochar Use:
This initiative will offset 1,000 tons of CO₂ through tree planting, with about 120 kg of CO₂ permanently sequestered by the biochar in the soil.
The broader climate benefits extend further: applying biochar has treated 1 ton of contaminated sludge, preventing environmental pollution and avoiding 1.5 tons of CO₂ emissions from sludge decomposition in open landfills.
Vivamos Mejor’s current average tree survival rate is 70%, a figure that has declined in recent years due to climate challenges. A potential boost in survival rates means direct cost savings, plus substantial long-term economic and environmental value through key benefits like:
- Greater carbon sequestration: Enhancing climate mitigation potential.
- Improved water security: Speeding up recharge of critical groundwater reserves, benefiting local communities and agriculture.
- Stronger ecological resilience: Building more robust, diverse forests that better protect against erosion and support local livelihoods.
- Faster delivery of ecosystem services: Delivering soil health improvements, better air quality, and biodiversity gains sooner and more reliably.
Future Outlook and Next Steps for This Pioneering Partnership:
Looking ahead, Mosan and Vivamos Mejor plan to strategically expand their collaboration.
Vivamos Mejor, which already reforests over 150 hectares annually in the region, is actively considering scaling up biochar use in its operations in the coming years.
