Category: Mechanization: Yes

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Companion Planting

Similar names: trap cropping, intercropping, plant association 

Companion planting is an agricultural technique wherein various crops are grown close together to enhance growth, control pests, optimise space and boost productivity. While companion planting is associated with small-scale gardening, the general principles can be broadly integrated into large-scale operations. This approach is considered a low-input and ecologically mindful method for pest management. Rooted in traditional ecological knowledge, this technique focuses on creating mutually beneficial relationships between plants. One of the most common examples of companion planting is the Three Sisters, which is a traditional Native American growing practice that includes corn, beans and squash. Each plant serves a specific role that benefits the other crops in various ways.

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Biochar

Similar names: agrichar, biocarbon 

Biochar is charcoal made from organic matter such as wood, plant materials, and manure. The organic matter is heated at high temperatures of between 300-900 ℃, with very little oxygen. Biochar is carbon rich, absorbent and does not break down easily like other soil enhancers, therefore it is able to stay in the soil for long periods of time. Thus, it can reduce the need for frequent application of compost while still promoting healthy crop growth. Biochar is a soil amendment that improves soil health by aerating the soil, as well as retaining moisture and nutrients in the soil. Additionally, due to the low oxygen burning method, carbon is locked into the soil instead of being released back into the environment. The materials used for processing biochar can range from small-scale and simple to more complex and commercial.

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Cover Cropping

Similar names: green manure, living mulch, soil-building crops, catch crops

Cover cropping has been used across the world throughout history. However, as the rise of synthetic herbicides and fertilizers became more popular, the use of cover crops declined. In recent years, concerns over soil health and the desire to reduce chemical inputs has sparked renewed interest in cover crop techniques. Unlike cash crops, cover crops are grown for environmental benefits rather than for profit. Cover crops are typically grown in the off-season following the harvest of a main cash crop. They are typically mowed, incorporated into the soil, or used as mulch. Cover crops offer a wide array of benefits as they help to improve soil health, control erosion, suppress weeds, improve yields, and attract pollinators. There are a large variety of cover crops to choose from, however the choice of cover crop depends on the goal of the grower.

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Green Gravel

Green gravel is a new and innovative technique aimed to restore kelp forests. This restoration method involves introducing reproductive kelp material onto pieces of gravel, which is then nurtured in a controlled environment to facilitate growth and development before being reintroduced into their natural habitat. Green gravel is a developing solution that can be adapted to various locations and environmental conditions, making it a versatile tool for kelp forest restoration.

While still in its early stages of development and research, green gravel holds potential for reviving kelp forests around the world. Its cost-effectiveness, scalability, and less invasive nature compared to other kelp restoration methods make it a promising solution for addressing the critical issue of kelp forest decline. As research and experimentation continue, green gravel has the potential to become an important tool in restoring these vital ecosystems. 



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Citizen Divers

Similar names: Citizen science, community science, community-based participatory research, crowdsourced research

Citizen divers represent a form of citizen science that allows the general public, particularly recreational divers, to contribute to scientific research, often in collaboration with scientists and researchers. Divers participate in activities such as environmental monitoring, data collection, and analysis of the marine ecosystem. Given the challenge of accessing underwater ecosystems, citizen divers are represented less compared to other forms of citizen science. 

Utilising the time and skills of local communities in scientific research has been a powerful asset in scientific research worldwide. This approach not only has the potential to contribute to scientific knowledge, but also creates an opportunity to educate and empower individuals, sparking curiosity and inspiring future generations along the way. Beyond the generation of knowledge, one of the key outcomes of citizen divers is its ability to bridge the gap between science and society. This approach to research fosters a deeper connection between communities and their local marine ecosystems, thus encouraging marine stewardship through hands-on learning.



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Artificial Reefs

Artificial reefs are man-made structures that are placed on the seafloor to enhance marine ecosystems. The goal of these structures is to restore and mimic natural reefs in order to enhance biodiversity and support marine life. Artificial reefs are composed of various materials including, concrete, steel, old ships, rock and various sunken materials. The hard surface of these artificial reefs allows for organisms to adhere to it easily. Artificial reefs have various environmental and socioeconomic benefits such as habitat restoration, support biodiversity, regulate fish populations, coastal erosion control, and support recreation opportunities.

 

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Seagrass Seedbags

A seed-based intervention using mesh “seed bags” is a promising long-term approach to restore degraded seagrass meadows, particularly in more sheltered coastal areas. In this method, small mesh bags filled with seagrass seeds or fertile root cuttings are dispersed across the seafloor. These bags protect seeds from currents, allowing them to settle and germinate securely. Using adult plants, such as bare-rooted shoots, often enhances success rates and speeds up establishment, making this approach both effective and relatively low maintenance. Additionally, the flexibility of seed bag placement enables restoration efforts in deeper waters when sufficient anchoring materials, like rope or string, are available. This large-scale restoration technique offers an efficient and scalable way to rehabilitate seagrass meadows, fostering critical marine habitats and improving ecosystem health.

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Sediment Tubes

Encouraging natural colonization of boat-damaged seagrass beds, this technique involves filling fabric tubes with sediment and seagrass seeds to speed up recovery, and placing them along damaged scars from anchors and propellers to ensure reconnection of the seagrass meadow.  

By returning these damaged segments to the appropriate elevation, the intervention prevents further erosion and scouring by water currents as well as protects peripheral rhizomes from excessive sunlight exposure.

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Hessian Mattresses

Hessian mattresses are an innovative and eco-friendly solution for seagrass restoration projects. Made from biodegradable jute material, these mats provide a sediment-free, low-cost method for transplanting seagrass seedlings to degraded coastal areas, including sites impacted by mooring scars. By anchoring seagrass seedlings within the hessian fabric, the mattresses help stabilize the plants, protect them from being swept away by currents, and encourage healthy root establishment. Over time, the hessian material naturally decomposes, leaving behind a flourishing seagrass bed that restores marine biodiversity, improves water quality, and provides essential habitats for marine life.

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Terracing

Terracing is a method of farming and soil conservation on hills and sloped lands. It was traditionally used by the Incas and is widely practised around the world today. It involves the building of platforms and forming step-like structures along a slope. The main goal of bench terraces is to periodically interrupt the slope of the terrain with flat sections; this helps to decrease the speed of water runoff,  significantly reducing soil erosion and surface runoff. By slowing down water speed, this intervention stops the washing away of topsoil containing important nutrients and promotes better water infiltration and soil moisture. The flat benches of the terraces create more effective and productive areas to farm on steep terrain.

There are two main types of terracing techniques: graded terracing and level terracing. With graded terracing, the slope can vary along the length of the terrace to direct water in the desired direction; this is especially useful for less permeable land. With level terracing, the terraces follow a contour line and do not vary in slope along this line, this ensures that water is more evenly distributed along the terrace. Stone or wooden walls are often used to hold terraces in place, although a simple earth wall without supporting material can be used with slopes and terraces on the smaller side. This intervention is similar to Fanya Juu and Fanya Chini which are specific types of terraces.

Terracing offers several ecological and socioeconomic benefits. Ecologically, it prevents soil erosion by slowing water flow, allowing it to infiltrate the soil and retain valuable topsoil, which is essential for agriculture. Terracing also manages water more effectively by evenly distributing it across levels, conserving water, reducing irrigation needs, and promoting nutrient cycling. It creates diverse habitats for various plant and animal species, enhancing biodiversity. Additionally, terracing stabilises slopes, reducing the risk of landslides by minimizing soil pressure and movement, especially in regions with wet seasons. Socioeconomically, terracing increases land productivity on slopes, allowing for larger crop beds and easier use of machinery, thus boosting agricultural efficiency.