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Soil, water & biodiversity

Forests are amongst the world’s most important ecosystems, containing the greatest assemblages of species found in any terrestrial ecosystem on the planet. They are also essential to the prevention of soil erosion and water purification. Tree roots bind soil together, and keep it in place by fastening it to underlying bedrock, and their leaves break the force of wind and rain which causes damage to topsoil. Trees also protect watersheds and their root fibers actively filter groundwater, trapping substances that are potential containments.

The Silva Tree Carbon Offset Forestry Project actively prevents deforestation, thus helping to reduce soil erosion and loss of watersheds in the project area. The Princess Project is a reforestation project which regenerates already degrading soils in Panama by replacing trees and their subsequent benefits, which ensures further degradation does not occur.

Costa Rica is home to about 5% of the world's biodiversity so maintaining its natural resources is essential. There are more species of exotic bird in Costa Rica than the whole of North America, it boasts 200 different species of hummingbird alone. The Carbon Offset Forestry Project actively protects and restores the natural habitat of a broad variety of animals, birds, reptiles and insects.

Panama possesses 1569 known species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, of which 5.5% are endemic (which means they only exist in Panama) and 6.1% of these are threatened. Panama is also home to 9915 known species of plant, of which 12.3% are endemic (1). Although not native to Central America, Paulownia is a Tropical species originating from the Far East, and has been grown in the USA for nearly 200 years. It can provide shelter, food and a home to local animals, much like the previously dominant natural rainforest, and is well suited to the climate and terrain that Panama offers.