Tapping into underground forests

Forests are living examples of how everything on Earth is interconnected. From the tiniest insect to the largest tree, and everything in between, each living being and natural system contributes to the health of others. When an ecosystem is in balance, the animals, plants, and communities that depend on one another can thrive. 

But when trees are cut down and the land is burned for agriculture or development, the soil loses its fertility and capacity to sustain life. Ecosystems begin to collapse, leading to erosion, destructive winds, drought, flooding, and a loss of biodiversity—all of which cause suffering for the world’s poorest people.

However, Earth’s power doesn’t exist only above ground. Just beneath the surface of what may appear to be a barren landscape lies an immense underground forest with the potential to regenerate and sustain a thriving ecosystem.

In many drought-prone regions of the tropical world, entire “underground forests” of tree roots have survived the generations-long farming cycle, in which trees and plants are cut, burned, or buried to make way for crops. Despite the repeated above-ground destruction, these nearly invisible underground forests remain alive. All they need is a chance to grow.

Enter Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), a system developed by Tony Rinaudo, an agronomist who spent years trying to plant trees in Niger using conventional methods. Upon discovering not just surviving but thriving roots underground, he nurtured them into a full forest. Now, in partnership with World Vision Australia and dozens of other organizations, approximately six million previously barren hectares in Niger have been reforested.

FMNR teaches communities that caring for existing trees—even the tiniest sprouts—through simple methods such as pruning can maximize growth while returning nutrients to the soil, promoting optimal conditions for growing annual crops. Arguably the least expensive and most successful method for restoring the power of forests, FMNR has now spread worldwide. In Africa’s Sahel region, FMNR has helped improve food security, resilience, and climate change adaptation in impoverished farming communities.

Farmers who regenerate their soil, rather than simply planting new crops on depleted land, build a more fertile foundation for growing plants and raising animals. They can increase the quantity and nutritional value of food available to their families, boost biomass production and drought resistance, raise incomes, and enhance the biodiversity and sustainability of their farming systems. At the same time, they sequester more carbon in healthier soil and flourishing trees.

The benefits extend far beyond individual farms. As habitats regenerate, larger and healthier crops, better-nourished animals, and animal products can be sold for higher income. Byproducts such as hay, feed, firewood, and timber also become valuable. New businesses—like honey production and even ecotourism—emerge, creating further income and sustenance for entire communities.