Frequently
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MORFO is the architect of native forest restoration. We combine two layers: restoration intelligence (data, science, and predictive models to know what a degraded area can deliver and by which method) and result-guaranteed execution (the planting method that fits each plot, backed by a native seed chain and continuous monitoring). The outcome is forest that holds, with ecological targets committed by contract. The intelligence layer runs on MORFO Ri

MORFO is a Franco-Brazilian company founded in May 2021 by brothers Hugo and Pascal Asselin (CEO), who grew up in French Guiana near the Amazon rainforest. With Adrien Pages, they founded MORFO with the ambition of scaling ecological restoration. Today, MORFO brings together around 30 people, across offices in Brazil and Europe.

MORFO has offices and laboratories in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Montpellier, France.
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We focus our forest ecosystem restoration efforts in tropical and subtropical zones, mainly in South America.

Yes! Working at MORFO means taking part in the fight against climate change by restoring forest ecosystems that hold unique native biodiversity, while having a strong social impact, built on three areas of innovation: forest engineering, restoration intelligence, and result-guaranteed execution. Join the MORFO team by applying here

MORFO combines a proprietary restoration intelligence layer with result-guaranteed execution. Before a single tree is planted, we can say what a degraded plot can deliver and by which method. We then commit to ecological KPIs by contract, backed by a native seed chain built over years and continuous monitoring with corrective actions until the targets are met.

We work with those who can't afford trial and error: project developers (carbon and restoration), investors and land funds, and industrials with restoration obligations. We lower their production cost and execution risk before the first tree, and we secure project validation. Want to reforest a plot of land? Contact our experts

No.

MORFO is a specialized ecological forest restoration company, delivering end-to-end restoration services across diagnosis, planning, implementation, and long-term monitoring.

We work alongside carbon project developers as a technical and operational partner, but we do not develop or own carbon projects ourselves.

Reforestation is about restoring complete, resilient forest ecosystems rather than planting isolated trees. Biodiversity is a core principle of MORFO's restoration approach. Each project includes at least 20 locally adapted native species, selected to fit site-specific conditions from a catalog of more than 490 studied species. This approach supports the return of biodiversity and follows natural forest ecological succession.

Ecological succession describes how a forest ecosystem progressively moves from one stage to another, following a disturbance, whether they be natural or caused by human activity.

Of the 6 stages of forest growth, reforestation is often only used during three stages, aiming to accelerate growth. At MORFO, for example, our interventions focus on the following three stages:

>Perennial herbaceous stage
Thanks to these fast-growing plants, soils begin to recover and insects and animals reappear. Ecosystem reconstitution begins.

>Pioneer species stage
This stage is crucial to launch the forest basis, since it plays a fixation role.

>Fast-growing tree species stage
The planting of these species accelerates vegetation cover growth. It is important to adapt density ratios according to the forest's development stage.

Tree growth timelines depend on species selection, site conditions, and ecosystem context. In tropical and subtropical regions, favorable climate conditions often enable faster and more continuous biomass accumulation throughout the year.

Rather than optimizing individual tree growth, MORFO designs restoration projects to rebuild functioning forest ecosystems. By prioritizing species diversity, soil recovery, and long-term ecological monitoring, MORFO supports resilient forest development and predictable performance over time.

MORFO commits to results and backs them by contract. We set ecological KPIs with the client, then carry out corrective actions until those targets are met. In laboratory and nursery phases, average seedling survival is around 80%, depending on the species. In the field, performance is tracked over time through continuous monitoring and adaptive management, so underperformance is caught early, corrected, and outcomes improve from one project to the next.

After planting, MORFO closely monitors forest growth and ecosystem health through regular analysis of biomass development, species survival, biodiversity indicators, and carbon stocks.This continuous monitoring allows early detection of underperformance or emerging risks, enabling timely corrective actions such as targeted re-seeding, adaptive management, or site-specific interventions.

Monitoring is supported by a combination of drone and satellite imagery, AI-based analysis, and field assessments, ensuring consistent, verifiable data over time. MORFO's monitoring approach is long-term, typically spanning 5 to 30 years, depending on project scale, ecological complexity, and conservation or regulatory objectives. The analysis layer runs on MORFO Ri

MORFO is method-agnostic. For each plot, we use the method that delivers the best result at the best cost: drone seeding, mechanical planting, direct seeding, or seedlings, with the choice driven by data rather than a single technique. Drones bring speed, scale, and access: a single drone can restore up to 50 hectares per day and reach remote, steep, or hazardous terrain, lowering operational costs on large or hard-to-reach areas. But technology doesn't replace people. Human intervention stays essential at every stage, from terrain analysis to monitoring, and up to 20% of MORFO's projects are carried out through manual planting, with local communities and NGOs.

Intelligence comes first. Before planting, MORFO combines satellite imagery, drone surveys, and field data to read the soil, vegetation, and terrain. It turns more than 15 data layers per site into a plot-by-plot plan covering density, species mix, and planting design. Execution is multi-method: for each plot we pick the right tool, from drone seeding to mechanical and manual planting, while the same data pipeline tracks growth over time for traceable monitoring. It all runs on MORFO Ri

MORFO combines manual planting and drone seeding as complementary restoration methods, selecting the most appropriate approach based on site conditions, accessibility, and project objectives.

Manual planting is carried out by local communities and NGOs and represents a deliberate part of MORFO’s implementation model. Across projects, up to 20% of planting activities are performed by hand, particularly in areas where precision, local knowledge, or ecological constraints require it. In parallel, approximately one-third of MORFO’s project budgets is allocated to local stakeholders, supporting employment, seed networks, and long-term engagement.

For example, in a project in our project in northern Rio de Janeiro state, drones were used to restore approximately 75% of the area, while the remaining 25% was planted manually in partnership with local actors. The NGO ITPA contributed biome-specific expertise on the Atlantic Forest, access to a nursery for manual planting, and trained local workers to carry out field operations.

Potential benefits include increased land value, improved soil productivity, and — where applicable — carbon-related revenues generated from regenerated ecosystems. These outcomes depend on site conditions, project design, and long-term land-use strategy.

Yes. MORFO designs post-restoration transitions to productive systems such as agriculture, ILPF, and agroforestry, ensuring that productivity gains are achieved without compromising soil recovery, ecosystem resilience, or long-term carbon sequestration.

The ecological benefits of reforestation vary according to regional context, local biodiversity, and environmental conditions. However, well-designed forest restoration remains a critical lever for ecosystem recovery, climate regulation, and environmental resilience.
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‍MORFO’s restoration projects contribute to:
– Ecosystem regeneration: supporting natural vegetation recovery and restoring habitats for local fauna.

‍– Climate regulation: forests help mitigate climate impacts such as droughts, floods, and extreme weather events.

– Water regulation: restored forests improve water infiltration, reduce runoff, and stabilize hydrological cycles.

‍– Soil stabilization: root systems reduce erosion, particularly in highly degraded areas.

‍– Soil fertility improvement: organic matter accumulation over time enhances soil structure and nutrient availability.

‍– Air quality improvement: vegetation absorbs air pollutants and contributes to healthier local environments.

‍– Reduced vulnerability to disease and invasive species: diversified ecosystems are more resilient than single-species projects.

Over 1,000 people have already worked directly or indirectly with MORFO in Brazil, French Guiana, and France. MORFO also dedicates one-third of its budget to local stakeholders.

We are convinced that close collaboration with local stakeholders is essential to the long-term success of our projects: working with them, we improve the quality of future restorations by understanding the area better.

Local communities are involved at every stage of MORFO's solution.

- Consultation and planning: local inclusion starts with public consultation to gather communities' expectations, which shape the projects, from species to plant and planting methods to monitoring periods, forest use, and local needs.
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- Seed collection and site preparation: we work closely with local stakeholders to collect seeds, prepare the land, and monitor projects over the long term, partnering with local associations to set up projects and, in some cases, plant in the traditional way.

- And much more: soil analysis, nursery management, soil preparation, seedling planting, forest maintenance, and supervision.