Carob Tree, a great natural ally against climate change

The European Carob, a tree whose origin lies in southwestern Asia from where it extends throughout the Levant Mediterranean, has become an ally of the environment, because of its ability to act as a sink for CO2, as well as its ease to adapt to dry climates, besides helping in the restoration of soils and the mitigation of climate change in the regions of the Spanish Mediterranean coast, as reported by Agencia Soma Comunicacion in a press release.

Thus, this tree, which has its main producer in Spain, varying national harvests between 50,000 and 80,000 tons per year, according to the non-profit association Empresas Productoras de Agarroba (EiG), prevents desertification, flooding or forest fires.

In addition, a report issued by EiG reveals that the hardiness of the Carob Tree, its adaptation to an expanding agriculture, the increase in profitability of the new crops, its high productivity and the commercial perspectives of this dried produce, turn this species into a crop alternative for certain dry lands and areas with scarce water resources. 

 

                                                                                                   

   On the other hand, Miguel Perez, promoter of the Ibiza Carob Company project and the re-launch of the native carob bean harvest of the island of Ibiza for the production of organic products, explained that the Carob Tree root system allows it to better catch the subsoil water and become resistant to drought. 

 

Muñoz also added that it presents "a great resistance to fires" because it accumulates less amount of biomass than other trees and that its leaves have low flammability, a fact that delays its ignition.

Besides, he mentioned that the Carob Tree, currently considered a "superfood", is also used as a climate indicator, since in the areas where they grow, frosts are not usual, so they are also a guide for the planting of orange trees with the guarantee of economic performance.

Sources:    ecoticias.com - El Periodico Verde
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