Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created a seed carrier that uses a drill-like apparatus and a specially designed tail, powered by rain, that can drill into the Earth and deposit a seed.
This could greatly increase how quickly forests can be regrown, especially in remote areas.
It's believed that more than 10 million acres of primary forest were lost in 2022 in the tropics alone, a 10 percent increase from a year prior. In some cases, the forests were cut down, but natural wildfires and other natural events can cause extensive losses as well.
The forests will eventually regrow, but it can be tricky and trees often need a helping hand, especially if you want to restore forests quickly. Most seeds will never take root. They could be washed away by rain, consumed by animals, or simply never make it far enough into the dirt to sprout.
The rain-powered seed carrier could greatly improve the odds for seeds. The unique design is actually based on the seeds of certain erodium plants, which use a drill-like seed shape and tail to more effectively deposit seeds into the ground. The scientists used wood to create their seed carriers and treated it to respond to changing humidity levels. On flat land, early tests showed the carrier has an 80 percent success rate.
How far might this seed carrier spread its roots? While it's only undergone limited testing in the United States and China, venture capitalists, government agencies, and other parties have expressed considerable interest. The project captured additional momentum when it won the Falling Walls Breakthrough of the Year Award.
