Using drones to reforest tropical regions 

The French startup has raised €4 million to enhance biodiversity analysis of depopulated forests

Spotted: By the time you are finished reading this article, around 20 hectares of forest will have been destroyed. Putting the environmental impact of this aside, this rapid deforestation is terrifying for the 1.2 billion people who depend on forests for their livelihoods. Hoping to repopulate the earth’s lungs is Paris-headquartered MORFO, a startup that believes its drones could be the answer. In action, MORFO’s drones would hover over tropical and subtropical forests to analyse an area, select seeds, plant them, and then monitor the land thereafter.  

Claiming that the drones can process up to 50 hectares of forest imagery daily, MORFO aims to increase the biodiversity analysis of depopulated forests. In turn, this work will make space for precise reforestation using the appropriate studied and lab-tested plant species. 

Alongside providing a vast amount of imagery, drones give other unique benefits to reforestation, including reportedly planting 180 seeds bolls every minute, even across “steep and difficult-to-access lands.” 

After receiving €4 million investment led by RAISE Ventures and Demeter, MORFO plans to grow marketing and operations with 22 new employees. The enlarged workforce aims to support the company’s goal of testing 375 forest tree species by the end of 2024 whilst optimising its drones, payloads and analysis software. 

Springwise has previously spotted other innovations that help to repopulate our forests once again, including AI-powered drones, and biotech that matches trees to the environment and ecosystem.  

Written By: Georgia King