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For practical purposes, forests fall into two broad categories - old and new.

If the forest land had never been cultivated or had been cultivated a long time ago, it is considered old forest. This would hold resources grown over years within unique, ultra natural conditions. It is a much specialised resource centre. It is here where special plants and animals live.

The land is what sustains a forest. Traditional people would know resources according to the soil type, terrain and how the land is being used. Follow the update about the ways of Moraro forest on FORESTKEEPER BLOG The animals and plants that live in the area, all determine the type of land. When land is over cultivated, it holds little nutrients and becomes scrub. It is a sign that it was badly treated and would need a long time to recover.

With this rationale, people know when to stop using land for cultivation and to use the land for other purposes until it fully recovers. The evidence of completely recovered land is fully grown, mature forest trees.

While land is recovering many changes take place. Though it is natural for the trees and plants to be of the same species that were cleared, these would recover at different rates.Some faster than others. The bigger tree species may take longer to mature but never-the- less, they eventually replace older trees that were once part of the forest.

The greatest threat to the forest is harvesting of only one specie of trees. This can deplete a forest of all of a specific specie with no chance of this particular specie coming back within a long time.

Look carefully. You will see a howler monkey in the trees. Howler monkeys feed on the tender shoots of certain trees

Animals and birds also welcome the re-growth and as the forest matures different animals and birds appear to investigate what is there for them.

Land resources can become scarce or exhausted and when there are signs that this might be happening, traditional families can divide and move away to form new communities elsewhere. This is done so as to allow the land to operate and recover within its limitation. Land is seen as a living entity.

With the forests in focus at this time of our earth's history, it is important that recognition be given to the many ways that indigenous peoples deal with the forests that have preserved them so that mankind can benefit today.

Orchid collected from nearby forest. This Orchid is part of the Moraro collection.

The many plants that continue to survive in Moraro forest is a testament to how successful our indigenous peoples have been with their traditional use of the land and other surrounding ecosystems.

Traditional land use include for forest agriculture, gathering, hunting and spiritual sustenance.

With carbon trading on the world's agenda, many indigenous farmers are concerned that their traditional way of farming is threatened.

Today in Moraro, there are quite a number of new and old plants growing together and with the careful management by our indigenous forest keepers the ecosystem will carry on naturally for years to come.

Medicinal plant growing on Hitia tree

Through forest agriculture, the vegetation has a chance to change from time to time and these changes allow for the growth sometimes of different species. It is indeed a study to see how different species can affect the whole ecosystem and in a natural way enhance the system.

Indigenous traditional way of farming is very instrumental in keeping the forest. Trees and plants are saved because of theis way of farming and all have benefited throughout the many centuries. Today with the low impact method of farming our rainforests are still alive and healthy.

Warmia forest fruit tree loaded with berries. All species of monkeys, including howler monkeys and all species of birds feed on the berries. Even butterflies and moths partake of the sweet nectar

Young Kokorite palm allowed to grow for its fruits. As well as providing fruits this palm is beautiful to look at.

Indigenous Forest Keeper Artist