Etome is Eco Balance fourth water catchment project funded by SUGi. Etome village is situated next to the Atlantic coast, with Mt Cameroon and Mt Etinde behind it. This location gives the native forests and their ecosystems great biological significance.
Until now, the area had been in desperate need of restoration, as some parts had been cleared for agricultural activities, and others destroyed following lava flows from Mt Etinde. Two of the local rivers had dried up and a third had been rapidly shrinking.
The Miyawaki forest was planted in an area that supplies water to three towns. Etome is a lifeline for local people, supporting a sustainable and clean source of water for the future.
Forest Report: 2023
10 Months
Forest Age
96%
Survival Rate
2m
Average of Tallest 3 Trees
The forest is now 10 months old and most of the trees have grown and are thriving, even with little to no human interaction. We have recorded on average a surface temperature of 26 degrees inside the forest, and 29 degrees outside, demonstrating the heat island effect. There is the emergence of new species which has arisen as a result of dispersal and routine clearing of the forest.
Biodiversity Notes:
There are a number of species that have been spotted, including: house fly, midges, snails (Archatina sp.), cassin honey guide (Prodotiscus insignis), white bellied kingfisher, grasshopper (Eyprepocnemis plorans and Ruspolia nitidula), beetle (Lycus fabricius), portuguese millipede, driver ant (Dorylus sp), grass yellow butterfly and cabbage white butterfly.
“Growing forests is an activity that should be conducted by every parent. Forests ensure continuity at least for us here in Etome. We don't know life outside of the forest.”
Planting: December 2022
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