The Research Program

Science behind the method

A close-up of a colourful Banksia menzeisii flower growing beautifully in one of the Pcket Forest WA's Miyawaki forests.

A dedicated Miyawaki forest science research program runs right alongside the outreach program. The program is assessing how well pocket forests perform under Australian conditions and how the Miyawaki methodology can be adapted to Australia’s unique environment.

Traditional measures of plant performance are collected, such as plant growth and survivorship, as well as data on soil nutrients, soil respiration rates, and biodiversity studies, including use of environmental DNA.

Effects on wellbeing

As part of the research, PhD candidate Ines Zevallos is investigating the impact of participating in the Miyawaki Forest Program on student well-being and nature connectedness.

A piece of electronic equipment with multiple wires and antennas is placed on the ground amidst green leaves and dried grass. The device has various ports and connectors.
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Notebook, digital caliper, and pen placed on straw among green shrubbery outdoors.
Small, translucent, pale pink mushrooms growing among decayed wood and plant debris on forest floor.
Top-down view of various green plants and bushes with thin white stakes placed throughout the greenery.
Hand holding a digital infrared thermometer showing a temperature of 58.7°F, with a concrete ground background.
Several small, delicate mushrooms with translucent, gilled caps growing among wood chips and leaf litter on the forest floor.
A person's hand holding dried seed pods, seed shells, and leaves with a background of green grass and plants.
A small patch of yard with a row of broken, tilted black plastic fencing and some sparse grass and fallen leaves. In the background, there are steps leading up to a building entrance with brick walls and some shrubbery.