Costa Rica spread 12,000 tonnes of orange waste; forest biomass later rose 176%

 In 1998, about 12,000 metric tonnes of orange peels and pulp were spread over a degraded pasture in Costa Rica as part of an unusual forest restoration experiment. Sixteen years later, researchers found that the site had developed into a dense forest, with richer soil, greater tree diversity and a 176% increase in aboveground biomass. In 1998, about 12,000 metric tonnes of orange peels and pulp were spread over a degraded pasture in Costa Rica as part of an unusual forest restoration experiment. Sixteen years later, researchers found that the site had developed into a dense forest, with richer soil, greater tree diversity and a 176% increase in aboveground biomass.