Climate

Water, carbon & the ‘tree of life’: Interview with Venezuela’s guardian of morichales

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 22/10/2026, 17:39:24 UTC.

Briefings

A Venezuelan biologist named Miguel Ángel Sánchez-Mercado leads conservation efforts for the moriche palm, a palm species critical to Indigenous cultures and carbon sequestration in Venezuelan savannas. Studies indicate morichales can capture 590.8 tons of carbon per hectare, yet the species faces threats that require integrating humans into conservation solutions rather than viewing them as threats. The article highlights the ecological importance of morichales in the Eastern Llanos and Orinoco Delta, noting their role in regulating freshwater bodies.

Key points

• Miguel Ángel Sánchez-Mercado is a Venezuelan biologist and professor at Universidad Bolivariana in Maturín who leads conservation efforts for the moriche palm.
• Morichales ecosystems can capture 590.8 tons of carbon per hectare, making them highly effective at sequestering carbon in soil and biomass.

Context

Morichales are dense ecosystems in Venezuela's Eastern Llanos and Orinoco Delta that regulate freshwater bodies and support Indigenous cultures. They are a vital freshwater oasis often overlooked in global climate discussions, with potential for significant carbon mitigation.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to a single interview with Miguel Ángel Sánchez-Mercado and one study from Colombia. No additional data on global morichale distribution, current conservation status, or future projections is provided.

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