TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates, inter alia, to plantations (especially for sequestering carbon), to plant growth support structures and to methods of growing such plantations.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

[0003] The increase in global carbon emissions has attracted significant attention worldwide. To slow or reverse the increase in carbon emissions, many Governments have implemented a carbon tax, and carbon emission trading schemes have also been considered. Consequently a market has developed for carbon offsets, in which reductions in carbon dioxide (or other greenhouse gas) emissions can be used to offset emissions made elsewhere. One type of carbon offset involves sequestration of carbon (such as carbon dioxide) from the atmosphere.

[0004] Sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is considered important to the well-being of future generations and ecosystems worldwide. Forestry plantations can sequester carbon, as atmospheric carbon can be absorbed and assimilated by trees in the plantation. The trees in the plantation are capable of sequestering atmospheric carbon into plant biomass by way of photosynthesis and tree growth.

[0005] However, in all traditional forestry plantations (including those for carbon sequestration) there is a large volume of inter-tree space (void space) between the above ground components of the trees (e.g. trunks, branches and crown) (see Figure 1), and the void space limits the amount of carbon that can be sequestered. Such void spaces are necessary due to intraspecific or interspecific competition between members of the plantation. Intraspecific competition occurs when members of the same species (e.g. the plantation trees) compete over limited resources, such as water, sunlight, space or food energy sources (including soil). Interspecific competition occurs when members of different species compete over such resources.

[0006] Consequently, the plants within a plantation must be planted a certain distance apart, otherwise the plants will stymie the growth of their neighbouring plants. In forestry, a generally accepted maximum stand density (i.e. the number of stems planted per unit of area) is around

1,111 stems per hectare (equating to a spacing of about 3 by 3 metres between stems/seedlings). If this stand density is exceeded, then typically there is an increased mortality of many trees in the plantation due to inter and intraspecific competition between the trees.

[0007] The large void space in traditional forestry plantations also limits the amount of wood that can be grown within an area, and the maximum wood-producing productivity of that area.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] In some aspects, the present invention advantageously provides a higher density plantation, or methods or plant growth support structures for the production of such a plantation, which may accordingly be able to sequester a greater amount of carbon than a traditional plantation and/or which may be able to produce higher quantities of biomass in a given area. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to plantations and methods for their production, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of growing an anastomosed plantation (especially for carbon sequestration), said method including the step of positioning a plurality of anastomosing plants in sufficient proximity to anastomose as they grow to thereby provide an anastomosed plantation.

[0010] As used herein, the term "anastomose", "anastomosing", "anastomosed" and the like refers to an ability of certain plant species to merge (or fuse or anatomically connect) individual plants together to form a single collective (or organism). Consequently, when positioned (e.g. planted) in sufficient proximity to anastomose, anastomosing plants merge together (i.e. anatomically connect or fuse) rather than compete against each other (via intraspecific or interspecific competition). Therefore, it is expected that void spaces between individual plants would be minimised in an anastomosed plantation, resulting in improved carbon sequestration.

[0011] As used herein, the term "plantation" refers to a group of cultivated plants, especially trees. At least some (especially all) of the plants in the method are positioned as a result of human intervention. A plantation is an "anastomosed plantation" when at least two plants

(especially at least about 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 plants) in the plantation are anastomosed. The plants in the plantation may be capable of sequestering atmospheric carbon and storing said carbon in plant biomass (especially by way of photosynthesis and tree growth). The atmospheric carbon may be carbon dioxide.

[0012] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that an anastomosed plantation in which anastomosing plants anastomose to at least partially fill the void spaces between the plants may provide significantly increased biomass, compared to a plantation of non- anastomosing plants. An increased biomass concomitantly results in increased sequestration and storage of atmospheric carbon. For such anastomosing plants it is believed that there is no maximum stand density for a plantation. This is because neighbouring anastomosing plants anastomose and therefore assist in each other's growth, rather than stymieing each other's growth due to intraspecific or interspecific competition. Advantageously, in one embodiment the amount of plant biomass in an anastomosed plantation can increase rapidly due to anastomosis of multiple anastomosing plants, thereby rapidly increasing the amount of atmospheric carbon sequestered and stored by the anastomosed plantation (especially in woody plant tissues including lignin and cellulose).

[0013] In one embodiment, the anastomosing plant is a member of the Moraceae family. In another embodiment, the anastomosing plant is of the Ficus genus, especially of the subgenus Urostigma. The anastomosing plant of the Ficus genus may be, for example, at least one plant selected from the group consisting of: Ficus benjamina, Ficus brachypoda, Ficus destruens, Ficus drupacea, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus virens, Ficus obliqua, Ficus pleurocarpa, Ficus rubiginosa var. glabrescens, Ficus rubiginosa var. rubiginosa, Ficus subpuberula, Ficus triradiata, Ficus virens var. virens, Ficus virgata and Ficus watkinsiana. The anastomosing plant may be a strangler fig.

[0014] Ficus species constitute one of the largest genera of angiosperms, with around 900 recognised species of terrestrial trees, shrubs, hemi-epiphytes, climbers and creepers occurring in the tropics and subtropics worldwide (R0nsted et al., 2008). Many Ficus species are often referred to as "stranglers" (or sometimes Banyans) due to their habit of forming a reticular network of adventitious roots which gradually entangle the phorophyte host, widen, anastomose and eventually the roots kill the host by restricting diameter growth and preventing the phloem from functioning (Putz et al., 1989; Dixon, 2003; Ramirez, 1977).

[0015] Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment anastomosing plants of the Ficus genus

(especially strangler Ficus plants) are expected to exhibit relatively little (or negligible amounts) of intraspecific or interspecific competition, as such anastomosing plants have properties that allow individual plants to merge, share resources and minimise inter-plant void space.

Accordingly, in this embodiment such anastomosing plants are capable of naturally filling the void space between plants with biomass (so that void space between plants can be substantially replaced with dense woody biomass, significantly increasing the amount of carbon that can be sequestered and stored).

[0016] The anastomosing plant may be a member of the Clusiacease, Araliaceae, Urticaceae, Rubiaceae or Myrtaceae family. The anastomosing plant may be of the Clusia, Schefflera, Coussapoa, Posoqueria or Metrosideros genus. It is believed that some plants of the Clusia, Schefflera, Coussapoa, Posoqueria and Metrosideros genus can anastomose.

[0017] The anastomosing plant may be a hemiepiphyte. The anastomosing plant may be a plant adapted to growth in the tropics or sub tropics (e.g. approximately between 30 ⁰ north and 30 ⁰ south). The anastomosing plant may be adapted to growth where the annual rainfall exceeds approximately 300 mm.

[0018] In one embodiment, the step of positioning a plurality of anastomosing plants in sufficient proximity to anastomose as they grow is a step of positioning the plurality of anastomosing plants in sufficient proximity to anastomose as they grow on one or more of marginal agricultural areas, fertile farm areas, cleared areas, degraded areas, areas with low quality soil, areas adjacent to roads, steep areas, and riparian areas.

[0019] The plurality of anastomosing plants may be at least about two anastomosing plants, at least about five anastomosing plants, at least about 10 anastomosing plants, at least about 20 anastomosing plants, at least about 30 anastomosing plants, at least about 40 anastomosing plants, or at least about 50 anastomosing plants. In some embodiments, the step of positioning a plurality of anastomosing plants in sufficient proximity to anastomose as they grow may be a step of positioning a plurality of anastomosing plants in sufficient proximity so that at least two said anastomosing plants (or at least about 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 said anastomosing plants) anastomose as they grow. It is believed that it may be possible for two different species of anastomosing plants to anastomose. Accordingly, in one embodiment the plurality of anastomosing plants may be of at least two different species. In another embodiment, the plurality of anastomosing plants is of only one species.

[0020] The plants are positioned in "sufficient proximity to anastomose" if they are capable of anastomosing when positioned that distance apart. A suitable distance may be determined by a skilled person. However, the plants are especially positioned relatively close to each other, as before the plants anastomose there will be intraspecific competition between the plants. In an exemplary embodiment, the plants are positioned less than 5 m apart, especially less than 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2 or 0.1 m apart. In another exemplary embodiment, the plants are positioned from 0.1 to 5 m apart, especially from 0.2 to 2 m apart, more especially from 0.2 to 1 m apart. Accordingly, in one embodiment the step of positioning a plurality of anastomosing plants in sufficient proximity to anastomose is a step of positioning a plurality of anastomosing plants, wherein there is less than a 3, 2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2 or 0.1 metre space between each said plant.

[0021] In one embodiment, the anastomosed plantation includes greater than 1, 2 or 3 horizontal linear metres of anastomosed woody biomass, thereby providing a dense anastomosed plantation (especially a carbon dense anastomosed plantation). In another embodiment, the anastomosed plantation includes greater than 1, 2 or 3 horizontal linear metres of anastomosed woody biomass in two perpendicular directions (especially in a single horizontal plane), or in three perpendicular directions (i.e. greater than 1, 2 or 3 cubic metres of anastomosed woody biomass). In a further embodiment, the anastomosed plantation includes greater than 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 horizontal linear metres of anastomosed woody biomass, thereby providing a hyper- dense anastomosed plantation (especially a hyper-dense anastomosed plantation). In another embodiment, the anastomosed plantation includes greater than 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 horizontal linear metres of anastomosed woody biomass in two perpendicular directions (especially in a single horizontal plane), or in three perpendicular directions (i.e. greater than 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 cubic metres of anastomosed woody biomass).

[0022] An anastomosed plantation may include greater than 30,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare, especially greater than 40,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare, or greater than 50,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare, or greater than 60,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare, or greater than 70,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare, most especially greater than 80,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare.

[0023] An anastomosed plantation may be capable of growing in less than 30 years, especially less than 20 years, or less than 18 years, or less than 16 years, or less than 14 years, or less than 12 years, most especially less than 10 years.

[0024] An anastomosed plantation may include more than 20% biomass in a cubic metre (or per cubic metre), especially more than 30% biomass in a cubic metre (or per cubic metre), or more than 35% biomass in a cubic metre (or per cubic metre), or more than 40% biomass in a cubic metre (or per cubic metre); most especially more than 45% biomass in a cubic metre (or per cubic metre) or more than 50% biomass in a cubic metre (or per cubic metre). [0025] In one embodiment, the step of positioning a plurality of anastomosing plants in sufficient proximity to anastomose as they grow is a step of positioning a plurality of anastomosing plants at a plant growth support structure (or structural members of a plant growth support structure) in sufficient proximity to anastomose as they grow. The plant growth support structure may be or include a framework, a framework matrix, a scaffold, a scaffold matrix or a trellis (for example formed from a plurality of structural members). The plurality of anastomosing plants may be positioned at the plant growth support structure (or the plurality of structural members), especially on or adjacent to the plant growth support structure (or the plurality of structural members). The plant growth support structure (or structural members) may be a phorophyte (i.e. a plant on which an epiphyte or hemi-epiphyte grows) or a pseudo- phorophyte (i.e. a non-plant or non-living plant on which an epiphyte or hemi-epiphyte grows, especially a non-cellulosic structure on which an epiphyte or hemi-epiphyte grows). The plant growth support structure (or structural members) may be made of or formed from any suitable material. In one embodiment, the plant growth support structure (or structural members) may be made of or include a cellulosic material, such as bamboo. In another embodiment, the plant growth support structure (or structural members) may be made of or include plastic, metal or concrete. The plant growth support structure may be made of or include rope or wire. The plant growth support structure (or structural members) may be biodegradable. The plant growth support structure may include the plurality of anastomosing plants.

[0026] The plant growth support structure (or structural members) may be made of or formed from at least one anastomosing plant or a portion thereof, especially of a living anastomosing plant or a portion thereof. When the plant growth support structure (or structural members) is made of a living anastomosing plant or a portion thereof, the plant growth support structure (or structural members) may anastomose with the anastomosing plants. This may accelerate the growth of the plantation. In one embodiment, the plant growth support structure (or structural members) may be capable of anastomosing with said plurality of anastomosing plants. The plant growth support structure (or structural members) may be formed from an anastomosed plantation.

[0027] In one embodiment, the plant growth support structure may be or include a plurality of portions of an anastomosed plantation, wherein said portions are capable of anastomosing when abutted together. The portions of the anastomosed plantation may be of any suitable size or shape. In one embodiment, each or at least one portion of the anastomosed plantation may be greater than 0.2 m 3 , greater than 0.3 m 3 , greater than 0.4 m 3 , or greater than 0.5 m 3 in volume; especially greater than 0.8 m 3 , or greater than 1 m 3 or greater than 2 m 3 in volume. Each or at least one portion of the anastomosed plantation may be of cubic or rectangular cubic shape.

Advantageously, the portions may be taken from a previous anastomosed plantation, cut to size and then abutted together to form new shapes.

[0028] The plant growth support structure may be of any suitable shape. The plant growth support structure may have a three-dimensional shape. The plant growth support structure may enhance the growth patterns of the anastomosing plants. The plant growth support structure may be free-standing. The plant growth support structure may be artificial, man-made, manufactured or fabricated. The plant growth support structure may include a plurality of structural members. The structural members may be hollow or of substantially solid cross section. The structural members may be in the form of poles, rods or the like. The structural members may be fixed together. The structural members may be fixed together in any suitable way, for example, by binding or strapping two structural members together, or by using a fastener such as a clamp, screw, nail or the like. The plant growth support structure or the plurality of structural members may extend horizontally and vertically relative to a support surface, such as the ground. The structural members may include a plurality of vertically (or substantially vertically), horizontally (or substantially horizontally) or obliquely angled structural members. The plant growth support structure may include a plurality of substantially vertical structural members and a plurality of substantially horizontal structural members. The substantially vertical structural members and/or the substantially horizontal structural members may define hollow portions therein. The horizontal structural members may be from 1-10 metres vertically apart. Said substantially vertical and substantially horizontal structural members may together define a matrix, especially a plurality of cuboid or cubic shapes. In one embodiment, the vertical structural members may be in the form of vertically extending supports (such as in the form of poles or towers), and such supports may be made from metal (e.g. steel) or concrete. In this embodiment, the horizontal structural members (which may be in register with the supports) may be made from a cellulosic material, plastic or metal (e.g. rope or wire). In some embodiments, the anastomosing plant(s) or plantation may be self-supporting after it has anastomosed and consequently portions of the plant growth support structure (or the entire plant growth support structure) may degrade over time. It may be advantageous for the plant growth support structure to be formed of a biodegradable material, as the anastomosing plants may be able to occupy any void spaces left by a degraded plant growth support structure in the anastomosed plantation. The plant growth support structure may be anchored to a support surface (such as the ground), such as by burying a portion of the plant growth support structure in the ground or by anchoring the plant growth support structure to concrete (for example). Alternatively, the plant growth support structure may be portable. In one embodiment, the plant growth support structure extends horizontally and vertically relative to a support surface, and said plurality of anastomosing plants are positioned vertically and/or horizontally on or along the plant growth support structure.

[0029] The plant growth support structure may include a guide for directing the roots of the anastomosing plants. The guide may be a matrix, especially a netting. The matrix may be suspended from at least one said structural member, especially between at least two said structural members. The matrix may include a plurality of seeds or seedlings. The seeds or seedlings may be affixed to, spread onto (or smeared onto via a carrier such as a paste), or embedded in the matrix. The netting may be positioned between structural members of the plant growth support structure, such as between vertical and/or horizontal structural members. The netting may be biodegradable. Advantageously, the roots of the anastomosing plants may descend from anastomosing plants positioned above ground-level, contact the guide, then travel along the guide. The guide may therefore assist in improving the filling of volume with biomass within the anastomosed plantation.

[0030] The anastomosing plants may be positioned in any suitable way. In one embodiment, the plants are planted (for example in the ground or soil) or the plants are planted in, affixed to, or suspended from a plant growth support structure (or structural members). The plants may be affixed to the plant growth support structure (or structural members) by positioning the plant in a crevice or cleft of the plant growth support structure (or structural members), by binding the plant to the plant growth support structure (or structural members) (e.g. by strapping or by sowing the plants onto the vertical or horizontal structural members of the plant growth support structure), or by suspending the plant from the plant growth support structure (or structural members) (e.g. by suspending a receptacle (such as a pot) including the plant from the structural members). Plants may be suspended from the plant growth support structure (or structural members) in any suitable way. In one embodiment, the plants may be suspended by cellulosic material, string or rope from the structural members. In one embodiment, the receptacle may be made of the same material as the structural members.

[0031] The plants may be in the form of plants which have anastomosed, or the plants may be in the form of a portion of an anastomosed forest (as discussed further below). The plants may be in the form of seedlings or seeds, especially seedlings. The step of positioning a plurality of anastomosing plants in sufficient proximity to anastomose may be a step of seeding a plurality of anastomosing plants in sufficient proximity to anastomose, especially a step of seeding a plurality of anastomosing plants at (or on) a plant growth support structure in sufficient proximity to anastomose. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: (i) growing a plurality of seedlings of an anastomosing plant; and (ii) positioning said seedlings in sufficient proximity to anastomose (especially on or relative to a plant growth support structure or structural members) as they grow to thereby provide an anastomosed plantation. In one embodiment, the method may include the step of suspending plants (or seedlings) from the plant growth support structure (or structural members).

[0032] The plant growth support structure may direct the growth and/or anastomosis of the anastomosing plants. The plurality of anastomosing plants may be positioned vertically and/or horizontally at (or on or along) the plant growth support structure (or structural members). The plurality of anastomosing plants may be positioned at the plurality of vertically (or substantially vertically), horizontally (or substantially horizontally) or obliquely angled structural members of the plant growth support structure. Multiple anastomosing plants may be positioned at each member.

[0033] In one embodiment, it may be particularly advantageous to position hemiepiphytic anastomosing plants at a plant growth support structure (or structural members). Some hemiepiphytes do not naturally grow to great heights when grown directly from the ground. Rather, some hemiepiphytes (such as strangler figs) concentrate most of their growth into strangling, adventitious roots and broad branches. Consequently, the use of a plant growth support structure in the method may advantageously enable anastomosing plants to grow to the heights of mature trees, facilitating the overall growth of the anastomosed plantation. Therefore, in one embodiment the method includes the step of using the plant growth support structure in growing the anastomosed plantation.

[0034] The use of a plant growth support structure when growing an anastomosed planation may allow the plantation to be grown in difficult or less conventional spaces. For example, the use of a plant growth support structure when growing an anastomosed plantation may allow the plantation to be grown above roads (for example, lines of the plants may be grown along roadside verges, so that the plants anastomose above the road), or above rivers (for example, lines of the plants may be grown along the river banks, so that the plants anastomose above the river). The use of a plant growth support structure when growing an anastomosed plantation may allow the plantation to be grown in vertical towers in unused spaces in cities.

[0035] The method of the first aspect may also include the step of constructing a plant growth support structure (such as a scaffold), and may include the step of binding a plurality of structural members together. The method of the first aspect may also include the step of growing the plurality of anastomosing plants to thereby provide an anastomosed plantation. The step of growing the plurality of anastomosing plants may include the step of adding nutrients or water to the plurality of plants, especially the step of fertilizing the plurality of plants.

[0036] The plantation grown in the first aspect of the present invention may be for carbon sequestration and/or storage, for forming a windbreak, for preventing soil erosion, and/or for forming barriers (for example, for carbon dioxide, noise and/or dust pollution) such as around mine sites. The plantation grown in the first aspect of the present invention may also be for production of cellulosic material, such as engineered wood products including low-, medium- or high-density fibreboard, chipboard (or particle board) and plywood. The plantation grown in the first aspect may also be for providing aesthetically pleasing, ornamental or sculptural structures.

[0037] In one embodiment of the first aspect the anastomosed planation may be divided or partitioned into a plurality of portions (or modules). At least one said portion (especially a plurality of said portions) may be portable, and may be transported to a new site. Said at least one said portion may be used to grow a further anastomosed plantation. In one embodiment, a plurality of said portions may be assembled together to form a modular plantation, wherein said portions may anastomose together. Said modular plantation may form any suitable shape. For example, a plurality of portions which were previously horizontally positioned relative to each other may be stacked vertically to provide a vertical anastomosed plantation. Similarly, a plurality of portions may be grown in an annular shape, so that when said portions are stacked on top of one another a cylindrical anastomosed plantation may be formed.

[0038] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of positioning plants for growing a plantation, said method including the step of positioning a plurality of anastomosing plants in sufficient proximity to anastomose as they grow to thereby provide an anastomosed plantation.

[0039] Features of the second aspect of the present invention may be as described for the first aspect of the present invention.

[0040] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of sequestering carbon, said method including the steps of: positioning a plurality of anastomosing plants in sufficient proximity to anastomose as they grow; and growing said plurality of anastomosing plants to thereby provide an anastomosed carbon sequestering plantation.

[0041] Features of the third aspect of the present invention may be as described for the first or second aspects of the present invention.

[0042] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a plant growth support structure. In one embodiment, the plant growth support structure is for growing an anastomosed plantation, wherein said plant growth support structure includes a plurality of structural members fixed together, and wherein said plant growth support structure includes a plurality of anastomosing plants positioned in sufficient proximity to anastomose as they grow, wherein said plurality of anastomosing plants are planted in, affixed to or suspended from said plurality of structural members.

[0043] The plant growth support structure may include a plurality of structural members. The plant growth support structure may be when used for growing an anastomosed plantation. The plant growth support structure (or structural members) may be seeded with a plurality of anastomosing plants. The plant growth support structure (or structural members) may include a plurality of seeds or seedlings of an anastomosing plant. The plurality of anastomosing plants may be planted in, affixed to or suspended from said plant growth support structure (or structural members). The plant growth support structure may be portable. The plant growth support structure (or structural members) may be a pseudo-phorophyte. The plant growth support structure (or structural members) may include, be made of or formed from an anastomosing plant or a portion thereof, especially of a living anastomosing plant or a portion thereof. The plant growth support structure (or structural members) may be capable of anastomosing with said plurality of anastomosing plants. The plant growth support structure may include anastomosing plants suspended from the plant growth support structure (or structural members). The plant growth support structure may be configured for suspending anastomosing plants from the plant growth support structure (or structural members).

[0044] Features of the fourth aspect of the present invention may be as described for any one of the first, second, third or fourth aspects of the present invention.

[0045] In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method of growing an anastomosed plantation, said method including the step of positioning the plant growth support structure of the fourth aspect relative to a support surface, to thereby grow an anastomosed plantation. In one embodiment, the method may further include the step of planting anastomosing plants in the support surface in proximity to the plant growth support structure. The method may further include the step of fastening the plant growth support structure to the support surface.

[0046] Features of the fifth aspect of the present invention may be as described for any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a method of growing an anastomosed plantation, said method including the step of excising at least one portion of a first anastomosed plantation, and positioning said at least one portion relative to a support surface to grow a second anastomosed plantation. Said first and second anastomosed plantation may be as described for the anastomosed plantation of any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention.

[0048] In one embodiment, the portion of a first anastomosed plantation is a plurality of portions of a first anastomosed plantation, and the method includes the step of abutting said portions together so that they anastomose to grow a second anastomosed plantation.

[0049] The excised portion(s) may be capable of anastomosing when abutted together. The excised portion(s) may be of any suitable size or shape. In one embodiment, each or at least one of the excised portion(s) may be greater than 0.2 m 3 , greater than 0.3 m 3 , greater than 0.4 m 3 , or greater than 0.5 m 3 in volume; especially greater than 0.8 m 3 , or greater than 1 m 3 or greater than 2 m in volume. Each or at least one of the excised portion(s) may be of cubic or rectangular cubic shape. The portion(s) may be excised in any suitable way. In one embodiment, the excised portion(s) are cut from the first anastomosed plantation.

[0050] Features of the sixth aspect of the present invention may be as described for any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention.

[0051] In a seventh aspect, the present invention provides a use of a plant growth support structure or a portion of an anastomosed plantation for growing an anastomosed plantation. In one embodiment, the plant growth support structure is seeded with a plurality of anastomosing plants. The plant growth support structure may be portable. The plant growth support structure may be a pseudo-phorophyte.

[0052] Features of the seventh aspect of the present invention may be as described for any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention.

[0053] In an eighth aspect, the present invention provides an anastomosed plantation. Said anastomosed plantation may be for carbon sequestration and/or storage, for forming a windbreak, for preventing soil erosion, and/or for forming barriers (for example, for carbon dioxide, noise and/or dust pollution) such as around mine sites. Said anastomosed plantation may also be for production of cellulosic material, such as engineered wood products including low-, medium- or high-density fibreboard, chipboard (or particle board) and plywood. The anastomosed plantation may also be for providing aesthetically pleasing, ornamental or sculptural structures.

[0054] The anastomosed plantation may be grown by the method of the first, second, third, fifth or sixth aspects of the present invention.

[0055] In one embodiment of the eighth aspect, the present invention provides an anastomosed plantation (especially for carbon sequestration), wherein the anastomosed plantation was grown on a plant growth support structure.

[0056] In another embodiment, the present invention provides an anastomosed plantation (especially for carbon sequestration), wherein the anastomosed plantation is formed from at least about five anastomosing plants, at least about 10 anastomosing plants, at least about 20 anastomosing plants, at least about 30 anastomosing plants, at least about 40 anastomosing plants, or at least about 50 anastomosing plants.

[0057] In a further embodiment, the anastomosed plantation includes greater than 1, 2 or 3 horizontal linear metres of anastomosed woody biomass. In another embodiment, the anastomosed plantation includes greater than 1, 2 or 3 horizontal linear metres of anastomosed woody biomass in two perpendicular directions (especially in a single horizontal plane), or in three perpendicular directions (i.e. greater than 1, 2 or 3 cubic metres of anastomosed woody biomass). In a further embodiment, the anastomosed plantation includes greater than 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 horizontal linear metres of anastomosed woody biomass. In another embodiment, the anastomosed plantation includes greater than 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 horizontal linear metres of anastomosed woody biomass in two perpendicular directions (especially in a single horizontal plane), or in three perpendicular directions (i.e. greater than 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 cubic metres of anastomosed woody biomass).

[0058] Features of the eighth aspect of the present invention may be as described for any one of the first to seventh aspects of the invention.

[0059] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0060] Examples of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0061] Figure 1 is diagram of a typical plantation for carbon sequestration, illustrating large void spaces between trees;

[0062] Figure 2A is a photograph of two Ficus trees, illustrating that additional strangling aerial roots (i.e. biomass) between Ficus trees substantially decreases the void space between the two trees;

[0063] Figure 2B is a more detailed photograph at B of Figure 2A, illustrating fused Ficus roots and/or trees with minimal void space;

[0064] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a plant growth support structure (a pseudo- phorophyte matrix such as bamboo), showing Ficus seedlings positioned on the plant growth support structure; and

[0065] Figure 4 is an illustration of a hyper-dense Ficus plantation formed on a plant growth support structure such as illustrated in Figure 3 after around 10 years of growth, in which multiple mature Ficus trees have anastomosed and formed a single massive hyper carbon-dense living collective.

[0066] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The following Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0067] In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like features.

[0068] A plant growth support structure 101 is illustrated in Figure 3 and may be made from bamboo, a portion of an anastomosing plant, ropes or wire. A support structure made from wire, for example is a pseudo-phorophyte scaffold. An exemplary plant growth support structure 101 (made from bamboo) is illustrated in Figure 3.

[0069] Another exemplary plant growth support structure (not shown in the Figures) is a plant growth support structure formed with vertically extending towers (such as those made from metal or concrete), with horizontally extending wires or ropes strung between the towers. In this plant growth support structure the vertical distance between the horizontal wires or ropes may be several meters. The anastomosing hemiepiphytic plant seedlings may be sown onto the towers and the ropes / wire to cause the seedlings to anastomose vertically and horizontally.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, the anastomosing hemiepiphytic plant is an anastomosing hemiepiphytic Ficus species. Exemplary examples of anastomosing hemiepiphytic Ficus species include those species commonly known as strangler figs.

[0071] As shown in Figure 3, the hemiepiphytic plant 110 is positioned directly on the structural members 102 and 104 (e.g. the bamboo), in which said structural members 102 and 104 are fixed together with strapping such as rope. Hemiepiphytic plants 110 may be positioned on all vertical 102 and horizontal 104 structural members in the plant growth support structure 101; Figure 3 shows one vertical structural member 102 with hemiepiphytic plants 110 for illustrative purposes only. Figure 3 also shows a receptacle 108 (such as a bamboo segment) suspended from a horizontal structural member 104. The receptacle 108 may include a hemiepiphytic plant 110. Multiple receptacles 108 may be suspended from the plant growth support structure 101, the single receptacle 108 shown in Figure 3 is for illustrative purposes only. A netting (not shown in the figures) may be suspended between, for example, two horizontal structural members 104, and the netting may include seeds of the hemiepiphytic plant 110.

[0072] Advantageously, an anastomosing hemiepiphytic Ficus species may exhibit relatively little (or effectively no) intraspecific or interspecific competition. Facultative intraspecific mutualistic properties of such Ficus species may enable them to merge together and naturally replace the void space between species with Ficus above ground biomass from one or more Ficus species (see Figure 2, as shown at 100, there is very little void space between two Ficus trees and their aerial roots). This biomass may effectively sequester and store atmospheric carbon.

[0073] The step of growing the seedlings may include fertilizing the seedlings and/or watering the seedlings. As the seedlings grow they anastomose. After many years of growth (for example about 10 years of growth) the plantation formed on the scaffold illustrated in Figure 3 may be as shown in Figure 4 (in which multiple mature Ficus trees have anastomosed and formed a single collective), providing a hyper-dense carbon sequestering anastomosed plantation. [0074] An exemplary (and non-limiting) method to provide an anastomosing Ficus plantation (for hyper-dense carbon storage) using a bamboo plant growth support structure as shown in Figure 3 is as follows. Anastomosing Ficus seedlings are grown in/on/relative to a hollow pseudo-phorophyte (or structural members) in a vertically spaced arrangement. These pseudo-phorophytes are interlinked and connected to form a matrix which provides support for the growing Ficus. Over a period of years, the seedlings grow, produce aerial roots, form a reticular network of roots around the pseudo-phorophyte, and, upon contact, the roots of neighbouring Ficus vertically and horizontally anastomose and merge individual seedlings into a single collective (or organism). This fusing of individuals will continue, throughout the matrix, both horizontally and vertically. As these Ficus expand radially away from each pseudo- phorophyte, they produce adventitious (aerial) roots from both the main stem and horizontal branches. These roots fuse into adjacent Ficus, while simultaneously expanding in diameter and significantly increasing the total woody biomass of the Ficus trees to provide an anastomosed plantation (see Figure 4). The propagation and diametric expansion of Ficus aerial-root woody biomass into otherwise carbonless void spaces is advantageous as woody biomass consists of around 50% carbon. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that such an anastomosed plantation would be able to store greater than 80,000 tonnes of carbon per hectare, and would be capable of growing in less than 10 years. Furthermore, and without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that such an anastomosed plantation would include more than 50% biomass per cubic metre.

[0075] As all parts of the anastomosed tree / plantation (top, middle, base) may be grown simultaneously, without having to wait for the tree to grow 'up', this method may greatly reduce the time taken to produce a hyper-dense plantation. Furthermore these plantations may continue to grow and gain volume and mass, thereby continuing to sequester carbon for anywhere up to several hundred years. Growth of the anastomosed plantation may be accelerated further by using a living portion(s) of an anastomosed plant to form the plant growth support structure. In this way, the anastomosing plants positioned relative to the plant growth support structure may anastomose with the plant growth support structure. A further way to accelerate the growth of the anastomosed plantation is to excise a portion of a previously grown anastomosed plantation (such as a cube) and use this portion when growing a new anastomosed plantation. Multiple such portions may be positioned together to rapidly form an anastomosed plantation of particular shapes and/or structures.

[0076] In an exemplary embodiment, the method of growing a plantation for carbon sequestration may include the following steps: Constructing a plant growth support structure;

Providing a plurality of seedlings of an anastomosing hemiepiphytic plant;

Positioning said seedlings adjacent to or on said plant growth support structure (or relative to structural members of a plant growth support structure) in sufficient proximity to anastomose as they grow; and

Growing said seedlings to thereby provide an anastomosed plantation.

[0077] Without wishing to be bound by theory, a conservative estimate of the carbon sequestration and storage rate from such anastomosed hyper-dense Ficus plantations is markedly higher than the carbon sequestration and storage rate of typical existing plantations used for carbon sequestration. Hence, especially when grown widely, such plantations may provide a very effective way to substantially sequester and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

[0078] Some anastomosing Ficus trees (or plants) are hemiepiphytes. Such Ficus trees may not naturally grow to great heights when grown directly from a substrate, such as the ground. Rather such Ficus trees may concentrate most of their growth into strangling, adventitious roots and broad branches. Use of a plant growth support structure (such as a matrix of pseudo- phorophytes) may raise such Ficus plants to heights of mature trees, facilitating the growth of carbon dense aerial roots. An anastomosed plantation produced from such Ficus trees may well result in far greater carbon sequestration rates than many other forest or plantation types.

[0079] Locations for hyper-dense plantations of anastomosing hemiepiphytic plants (including hyper-dense Ficus plantations) may be on marginal agricultural land situated in the tropics and subtropics (between about 30° north and 30° south) with over approximately 300 mm rain per annum. In additional to fertile farm lands, appropriate locations for such plantations may include one or more of cleared and degraded lands with low quality soil, cleared and degraded lands adjacent to roads and steep, marginal agricultural lands and riparian areas. Locations for such plantations may also depend on demand for and investment in carbon storage and alternative land use for any suitable land.

[0080] Variations on the exemplified embodiment may include parallel lines of Ficus grown along roadside verges causing Ficus to anastomose above roads and occupy otherwise empty spaces above roads. A similar process may be applicable for riparian zones whereby Ficus may occupy empty space above narrower tropical rivers. Alternatively, vertical towers of Ficus may be constructed in tropical cities in unused spaces. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The preferred embodiment of the present invention may provide one or more of the advantages listed below:

Formation of high density plantations, which are capable of sequestering and storing greater quantities of carbon.

Rapid growth of the plantation due to the use of multiple anastomosing plants which anastomose to form the anastomosed plantation. This growth is concomitant with a rapid increase in the capability of the plantation to sequester and store carbon. This growth also results in a rapid increase in biomass, which can be used for making cellulosic products, or for forming barriers (such as windbreaks, for reducing carbon dioxide, dust and/or noise pollution).

Anastomosing plants merge and share resources and therefore assist in each other's growth, rather than competing with neighbouring plants as in traditional plantations. Anastomosing plants are capable of anastomosing to occupy what otherwise would be void spaces between plants, maximising the density of woody tissues in the anastomosed plantation and therefore the ability of the plantation to store carbon.

Use of hemiepiphytic anastomosing plants on a scaffold allows the plants to be densely positioned vertically as well as along the ground. This allows the plants to more rapidly form a dense anastomosed plantation. Furthermore, the use of a plant growth support structure may allow the anastomosed plantation to ascend to greater heights than if the plant growth support structure was not used.

Use of the plant growth support structure to guide or direct the growth or anastomosis of the anastomosing plants allows the plantation to be grown in less conventional places. For example, the plantation could be grown above roads, above rivers, or in unused vertical spaces in cities.

[0081] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0082] Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

[0083] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described includes preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

CITATION LIST

[0084] Dixon, D. J. A taxonomic revision of the Australian Ficus species in the section Malvanthera {Ficus subg. 200 Urostigma : Moraceae). Telopea 1, 125-153 (2003).

[0085] Ramirez, W. Evolution of the strangling habit in Ficus L., Subgenus Urostigma (Moraceae). Brenesia 12/13, 11-19 (1977).

[0086] R0nsted, N., Weiblen, G. D., Savolainen, V. & Cook, J. M. Phylogeny, biogeography, and ecology of Ficus section Malvanthera (Moraceae). Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 48, 12-22 (2008).

[0087] Putz, F. E. & Holbrook, N. M. Strangler Fig Rooting Habits and Nutrient Relations in the Llanos of Venezuela. Am. J. Bot. 76, 781-788 (1989).