Frequently
AskeD
Questions
What is MORFO?
MORFO has developed a solution for large-scale ecological restoration of forest ecosystems. We restore areas, mainly concentrated in tropical and subtropical regions such as the Atlantic Forest and the African Equatorial Forest, which were previously forested and have been deforested, thus becoming unproductive.
Our company's MORFO solution is a multi-stage reforestation process:
1> Analysis
Firstly, data collection via drones and satellites is used to analyze the area to be reforested.
2> Seed selection and collection
Suitable local or even endemic species are selected from an in-house catalog (i.e., studied and tested in the laboratory). They are then collected by local communities to best meet the needs of the ecosystem.
3> Planting
Our drones disperse the seeds in capsules containing all the biological and nutritional elements required for long-term reforestation. A single drone can process up to 50 hectares per day, with each drone capable of planting 180 capsules per minute on steep, difficult-to-access terrain. This is 50 times faster than a traditional reforestation solution, and without the months of nursery growth.
4> Forestry monitoring
The evolution of plantations is closely monitored through biomass, biodiversity and carbon stock monitoring, using images taken by drones and satellites.
MORFO is a Franco-Brazilian company. It was founded in May 2021 by two brothers, Hugo and Pascal Asselin, who grew up in French Guiana, close to the Amazon rainforest.
Pascal and Hugo founded MORFO with Adrien Pagès (CEO). The company now has 28 employees, based in our offices in Rio de Janeiro, Paris and Libreville.
MORFO has offices in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Europe (Paris) and Africa (Libreville).
We focus our efforts on restoring forest ecosystems in tropical and subtropical zones, mainly in South America and Africa.
> 1 million hectares and 1.2 billion trees planted worldwide. That's equivalent to the size of countries like Lebanon, Puerto Rico or Jamaica.
>20 million tons of CO2 sequestered by our forests.
> More than 1,000 tropical species studied and categorized in our catalog.
> More than 10 biomes analyzed.
> 10,000 people involved in our projects around the world, with more than 300 people working at MORFO.
Yes!
Working at MORFO means taking part in the fight against climate change by restoring forest ecosystems that concentrate unique biodiversity, while at the same time having a significant social impact, based on three very strong areas of innovation: agritech, artificial intelligence and technology drones.
Join the MORFO team now by applying here !
Business model
MORFO charges a fee per hectare for each of its 4 solutions (diagnosis, Planning, Planting, Forestry follow-up), for a minimum duration of 5 years.
The price per hectare depends on several factors such as the location of the land, its access and its current condition. If you would like more information, we can provide a free analysis.
Our customers are mainly organizations that own land for reforestation. They may be states, local governments, NGOs or companies.
Would you like to contact MORFO to reforest a plot of land? Complete this form or make an appointment with one of our experts.
No. MORFO is an ecological forest restoration service that offers 4 solutions (Diagnosis, Planning, Planting, Forest monitoring).
We work with carbon project developers, but we are not project developers ourselves.
trees & plants
We have a growing catalog of 200 species that we select according to reforestation projects, and plant at least 20 local species in each project.
Reforestation is not just about planting individual trees, but about recreating entire ecosystems. Promoting species diversity in restoration projects is one of MORFO's priorities. We select species to maximize biodiversity and recreate natural ecosystems by mimicking the stages of forest ecological succession.
Our seeds are placed in seedpods. These pods contain all the biological and nutritional elements needed for long-term reforestation. We use drones to disperse and plant these seedpods on site, ensuring efficient and sustainable reforestation practices that benefit the environment.
The three main benefits of using seedpods are:
>Seed protection
Seedpods protect seeds from external factors, preserving their viability.
>Feeding during early growth stages
Seedpods provide essential nutrients to support their needs during the early stages of seedling development.
> Restoration of degraded soils
Our method helps to revitalize and revitalize impoverished soils, promoting the overall recovery of ecosystems.
MORFO devotes itself daily to research and development in our in-house laboratories and in collaboration with partners to carefully select the best seeds for each reforestation project. Today, our catalog includes over 200 species that have been studied or are currently under investigation. To be selected, species must meet a minimum of 13 criteria, some of which are mandatory while others are not.
Ecological succession describes how a forest ecosystem progressively moves from one stage to another, following a disturbance, whether they be natural or due to human activity.
Of the 6 stages in the growth of a forest, reforestation is often only used on three stages, with the aim of accelerating growth. At MORFO, for example, our interventions focus on the following three stages:
>The perennial herbaceous stage
Thanks to these fast-growing plants, soils begin to recover, insects and animals reappear, and ecosystem reconstitution begins.
>The pioneer species stage
This stage is crucial in order to launch the base of the forest, since it plays a fixation role.
>The fast-growing tree species stage
The planting of these species accelerate vegetation cover, while playing on the density of ratios according to the forest's development stage.
In subtropical forests, trees can generally grow faster than in other types of forest, due to favorable environmental conditions. Subtropical forests benefit from a warm, humid climate with relatively high temperatures throughout the year and abundant rainfall. These conditions enable trees to have a constant access to water and soil nutrients and enjoy a longer period of active growth.
Note that tree growth rates can vary considerably depending on various factors such as the type of tree species present, the age of the trees, soil characteristics and other environmental conditions specific to each region.
It is important to mention, however, that reforestation is not just about planting trees, but about recreating entire plant ecosystems. Promoting plant species diversity in our restoration projects is one of MORFO's priorities.
In our laboratory, we achieve survival rates averaging 80% (from 55 to 100% depending on the species). On field, we work with nature, sometimes on very degraded terrain. We aim, by combining our various technologies (capsules, soil analysis, weather forecast monitoring, etc.) to get closer to this percentage rate.
We pay particular attention to the growth of our plantations by monitoring biomass, biodiversity and carbon stocks. These analyses enable us to measure the evolution of plant growth and carbon capture. They also help us diagnose any issues or low success rates, so that they can be resolved, for example through future planting.
MORFO uses several tools to carry out accurate and regular monitoring: drone and satellite imagery, artificial intelligence and field analyses.
MORFO reforestation monitoring is regular and long-term. It extends over a period of 5 to 30 years. This period varies according to the complexity and scale of the restoration project, as well as the conservation and preservation objectives of the ecosystems.
DRONES & SATELLITES
> Drones are more efficient
They plant between 20 and 100 times faster than human beings. A single drone can process up to 50 hectares per day, planting 180 seedpods per minute.
>Drones cut costs
Their use is up to 5 times cheaper, due to their planting speed, but also because drone planting circumvent the structuring of a nursery and its maintenance for several months.
> Drones are safer
They access remote areas that are too dangerous for humans, which is very regularly the case in the reforestation projects we carry out.
>But our drones do not replace humans
At every stage of our projects, human intervention remains crucial, from terrain analysis and species selection, to planting and monitoring ecosystem growth. Up to 20% of all our projects are carried out by hand.
In our projects, drones are a tool for scaling up on two levels:
>Forest analysis and monitoring
Before planting, we use a variety of tools to study the soils and characteristics of the area to be reforested. Some of these analyses include satellite imagery to obtain an overview of the area, and drone imagery with a more precise resolution for detailed information.
This data is then combined with our species catalog established in the laboratory to produce a planting scheme. Analysis drones can also be used to geolocate species present at the time of planting and monitor plant growth afterwards.
This drone model enables us to differentiate the different existing forest strata and to accurately monitor the growth of all vegetation.
>The plantation
We use agricultural drones capable of lifting fairly substantial loads and dispersing unique seedpods that we have developed with renowned laboratories and scientists. These drones are large, around 1.50 meters in diameter. With our partners, we have developed release systems adapted to our seedpods.
We use both manual planting and seed dispersal by drone, as the two methods complement each other. Manual planting is always carried out by local people and NGOs.
For example, on a project in northern Rio de Janeiro state, we used drones to replant 75% of the area, while local people helped replant the remaining 25%. ITPA provided us with knowledge of the Mata Atlantica biome, access to a nursery for manual planting and local workers to carry out the planting.
Environmental actions
Promoting plant species diversity in our restoration projects is one of our priorities. We select the species planted to maximize biodiversity and recreate the native ecosystem, mimicking the stages of forest ecological succession.
Researching and studying tree species is an intensive R&D task. We work with recognized specialist laboratories, such as the IRD, to improve plantations and survival rates in the different biomes we work in.
We know that forests are a major solution for absorbing carbon dioxide, capturing around 35% of the carbon in the atmosphere, according to the IPCC. Recognizing the importance of acting quickly, at MORFO we combine effective technology and research to reforest at a high rate. With just one drone, we are able to plant up to 50 hectares per day, sowing 180 seeds per minute. We focus our efforts on tropical and subtropical areas, which have a higher carbon absorption capacity.
At MORFO, we give ourselves several safeguards:
> We only work with companies that have a verified strategy in place to reduce their emissions.
> Our carbon credits are based on 3 inseparable pillars: carbon capture, biodiversity restoration, and social impact by including local communities at every stage of our projects.
> We work on reforestation projects, in areas that would never have grown without us.
It's important to note that the ecological benefits of reforestation can vary according to regional contexts, local biodiversity and specific environmental conditions. However, reforestation remains an essential approach to restoring and preserving ecosystems and biodiversity, while helping to mitigate climate change and improve environmental quality.
>Promoting ecosystem regeneration
MORFO's reforestation method helps to restore degraded ecosystems by promoting the natural regeneration of vegetation and restoring natural habitats for local wildlife.
> Climate regulation
Forests act as climate regulators by mitigating the effects of climate change, such as storms, droughts and floods.
>Protecting water resources
Forests play a crucial role in regulating water flows. They help prevent flooding and maintain a steady supply of water.
>Soil stabilization
Tree roots help retain soil and prevent erosion, which is particularly important in areas where the soil has suffered extreme degradation.
>Soil fertility
Over time, plant organisms decompose, forming organic matter and contributing to the formation of rich, fertile soil. As the soil develops, more and more plants establish themselves.
>Improving air quality
Trees absorb air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, ozone and fine particles, helping to improve air quality in woodland areas.
>Combating disease and invasive species
MORFO's complete restoration method helps prevent and counter disease and invasive species that can appear during single-species projects, for example.