ABORA - Environmental monitoring in reforestation

What it does

The top priority in reforestation is to add new climate-resistant tree species. ABORA faces the biggest challenges in this context. A biodegradable tag protects young trees from browsing by wild animals and a monitoring unit records environmental data.

Your inspiration

During my master's thesis research, I came across the various challenges of modern forestry. Despite the immense importance of the industry for a climate-neutral future and its economic power, I quickly noticed a lack of innovation. The transformation of native forests into a resilient climate-forest of the future is in full swing. Germany (and so do other countries) is currently facing the largest reforestation programme in its history. With an annual turnover of 180 billion euros, the forestry industry is the fourth largest industrial sector in Germany. Innovative and practical product solutions are needed to preserve the ecosystem.

How it works

One of the biggest challenges in reforestation is to ensure that the seedlings are planted in the right location in order to minimise the extremely high mortality rate in the first few years. The urgent need to add new climate-resistant tree species to our forests further exacerbates this situation. In addition, protection against browsing by game takes up considerable resources in forestry practice. This is precisely where the ABORA-concept comes in. A biodegradable tag protects young trees from browsing by wild animals. During the decomposition process of the tag, scents are continuously released that gently keep game at a distance. Simultaneously, a self-sufficient monitoring unit records environmental data of the site-specific microclimates. In addition, environmental photos document mortality over a period of four years. The correlation between a tree species, its mortality and the local climate data is of great importance for forestry.

Design process

The ABORA design process began with comprehensive desk research. This was followed by weeks of field research. First, knowledge about tree seedlings was acquired in a forest nursery. In cooperation with a forestry office, several reforestation projects were accompanied. This confirmed the challenge of high mortality in reforestation and the lack of data. It turned out that the first four years are decisive for the survival of a tree. This had a major influence on the design framework. In addition, protection against browsing by game proved to be a major challenge in daily work. Huge financial and material resources are currently being invested in this. Particularly when you consider that around 200 million trees are planted in Germany every year. During the design process of the tag, prototypes were used for ergonomic studies. Size and proportions changed continuously. At the same time, experiments were conducted with bio-based adhesives and fragrances. The thorough field research showed the advantages of a quiet and self-sufficient product solution for the monitoring unit. The further design process focused on creating variations in terms of camera angle, product dimensions, energy supply and the appropriate design language. The final design was evaluated using prototypes.

How it is different

The conflict between nature conservation goals and forestry economic goals is omnipresent in our forests. Current solutions that counteract the challenges are mainly business-orientated and therefore detached from nature. This project is unique in the way it does justice to the various interest groups in the forest ecosystem. Compared to conventional methods, the label has only a minimal impact on the ecosystem and keeps game gently at a distance. Moreover, it is biodegradable and uses significantly less material. The monitoring unit is the first of its kind in the context of reforestation. Its smart and functional design brings science into daily practice, opening up new possibilities in data collection. The newly acquired knowledge about the optimal site characteristics of the individual tree species can be used to reduce the very high mortality. Abora makes it clear that ecology and economy are not a contradiction in a sustainable forestry concept.

Future plans

Modern forestry is regarded as a pioneer of sustainable management. Compared to other sectors, however, there is often a lack of financial resources for research and development. Therefore, it is important to draw attention to this sector. The biodegradable tag is a low-tech product of great value that is relatively easy to bring to market. Nevertheless, in order to keep the costs low, high quantities and therefore financial resources are required. The monitoring unit is a very exciting product, as appropriate software is already used in forestry science. Its practical design makes it possible to use this know-how in daily forestry practice.

Awards

ABORA won the Arthur-Petersen-Award of the Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design in October 2024. The concept was also selected for the official shortlist of the iF Design Student Award 2025. The final decision is still pending at the time of this submission.