How Can We Restore Springs?

Today in PRETATERRA Answers, we discuss how to restore a spring. This was a question sent by Marco, via email.

A property's water resources are one of its most important assets and must be preserved. If you have a property or know of an area that had a spring and no longer exists or is drying up, the first step to restore it is to fence its perimeter, especially if animals have access to the area. Once the area is protected, mow the vegetation where needed to make space for native trees.

What types of species can I use in spring restoration?

After mowing, you can directly sow a mix of native tree seeds, known in Brazil as a muvuca, or plant tree seedlings. In the case of planting by seeds, it will be necessary to remove plants that grow together or are competing. Apply fertilizer around each plant if needed, and cover the soil around seedlings with biomass to help maintain a suitable microclimate. In the case of seedling planting, it may be interesting to choose native fruit-bearing native species, to attract fauna and provide fruits for manual harvesting and personal consumption.

How far from the spring should I plant?

With fencing for physical protection and the planting of trees, which will, with their roots, aerate and protect the soil, in addition to reaching groundwater, the spring will return over the years! In Brazil, the area around a spring is a Permanent Preservation Area and must be reforested, with the minimum area for restoration being a 50-meter radius around the spring. For other watercourses, the distance varies and it is recommended to consult the Forest Code before starting planting.