Ilhas de Biodiversidade

Founded in 2022 by Vítor Gordo, Ilhas de Biodiversidade ('Islands of Biodiversity') plants dense, native mini-forests using the Miyawaki method — developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki — in radically different urban contexts: shipyards, schools, service stations, corporate campuses and senior care homes. The method replicates the structure of primary forests through soil analysis, intensive soil preparation, native species selection across multiple vegetation strata, and high-density planting of 3 to 7 plants per square metre. The result is a forest that grows up to 10 times faster and hosts up to 30 times more biodiversity than conventional reforestation methods. Since the first island was planted inside the Lisnave shipyard in Lisbon in November 2022, the project has grown to 9 planted islands covering 450 m² and over 1,350 trees and shrubs, with a 10th island in preparation at Escola Bela Vista in Setúbal. Sites include schools (Noesis/ESCS, ISEL, Escola Sebastião da Gama, Escola Secundária Amora), a senior residence (Residência Egas Moniz), an A5 motorway service station, and corporate partners such as Capgemini. The project blends documentary photography, scientific monitoring and community engagement. Ecowitt sensors installed in several islands continuously track soil moisture, temperature and rainfall in real time, with open data shared for educational use — students at partner schools measure, weed and analyse the data themselves. Species observations are also logged via the iNaturalist app, feeding a growing biodiversity atlas. Measured temperature differentials of over 20°C between forest floor and adjacent asphalt demonstrate the islands' role as genuine climate infrastructure, not merely decorative greenery. The project is integrated into Portugal's national mini-forest network.