Our Research
Sadhana Forest highly values science. It is important for us contribute to the scientific understanding of ecosystems and sustainability. At the same time, we want to use scientific research to monitor the impact of our work and to find ways to refine and improve our approach. Sadhana Forest has ongoing partnerships with different universities and research institutes and collaborated on several scientific publications.
Oxalogenesis: Creating Permanent Carbon Sinks
Oxalogenesis, or more correctly, the oxalate-carbonate pathway (OCP), is a process through which certain tree species turn carbon from CO2 into calcium carbonate (limestone). In this way, these trees create a permanent carbon sink. Even if the tree dies, the carbon will stay in the soil in the form of limestone. Because of this incredible property, we try to plant as many indigenous oxalogenetic tree species as we can.
Discovered in the 1980s by Prof. Eric Verrecchia, oxalogenesis remains a subject about which very little is known. Sadhana Forest has contributed, and is continuing to contribute to several studies on the matter. We hope to learn more about which tree species perform oxalogenesis. This would allow us to plant more oxalogenic trees and create permanent carbon sinks.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Rieder, C., et al. (2025). “Novel oxalate-carbonate pathways identified in the tropical dry evergreen forest of Tamil Nadu, India.” Biogeosciences.
Examining four oxalogenic species planted in Sadhana Forest Auroville, including the food-producing jackfruit trees.
Conference Presentation
Rowley, M.C., et al. (2025). “Biomineralising Trees Turn CO₂ Into CaCO₃? Identifying Novel Oxalate-Carbonate Pathways Associated With East African Fig Trees In Samburu County, Kenya.” Goldschmidt Conference.
Studying the OCP of native fig trees planted by Sadhana Forest Kenya. (Publication forthcoming)
Master’s Thesis – Award Winner
Rieder, C. (2021). “Investigating novel Oxalate-Carbonate Pathways linked to Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest reforestation efforts in Tamil Nadu, India.” Université de Neuchâtel.
Winner of the Neuchâtel University 2021 Henri Spinner Prize for plant ecology, and 2021 Sustainable Development Prize.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Rowley, M.C., et al. (2017). “Moving carbon between spheres, the potential oxalate-carbonate pathway of Brosimum alicastrum Sw.; Moraceae.” Plant and Soil.
Studying the OCP of Maya nut trees planted by Sadhana Forest Haiti.
Biodiversity
Research on how indigenous reforestation and natural regeneration improve wildlife biodiversity
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Frignoca, C., et al. (2021). “Greater biodiversity in regenerated native tropical dry evergreen forest compared to non-native Acacia regeneration in Southeastern India.” Interdisciplinary Environmental Review.
Research in Sadhana Forest Auroville demonstrates that restored ecosystems with native trees support significantly greater fauna biodiversity than environments with non-native species.
Agroecology
Research on agroecology and the use of food-producing tree species.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Alzate, C., et al. (2018). “The study and use of traditional knowledge in agroecological contexts.” Revista FCA UNCuyo.
Article
Rozin, A. (2018). “A model of reforestation, food security and long-term carbon sequestration in Haiti.” Samara.
An article about our effort to plant food-producing oxalogenic trees with Sadhana Forest Haiti.
Water Conservation
Research on water retention interventions and rainwater run-off control in arid areas
Conference Presentation
Shakas, A. et al. (2025). “A Humanitarian Initiative in Sadhana Forest, India.” AGU25.
An AGU25 presentation on SEG Geoscientists Without Borders research at Sadhana Forest, focused on groundwater availability, sustainable recharge, geophysical monitoring, and community engagement.
Final Report
Shakas, A., Rozin, A., Rowley, M., & Arora, T. (2025). “Groundwater recharge and sustainable extraction through resilient forest communities.” Geoscientists Without Borders.
A final report on fieldwork at Sadhana Forest, including well-site geophysics, borehole measurements, swale instrumentation, groundwater monitoring, and community outreach.
Master’s Thesis
Widmer, N. (2024). “Quantifying subsurface water movement in a reforestation initiative through geophysical monitoring.” ETH Zürich.
A Master’s Thesis studying a swale in Sadhana Forest, measuring its impact on soil moisture and rainwater infiltration.
Technical Documentation
OhmPi Team. (2024). “Groundwater recharge and sustainable extraction through resilient forest communities.” OhmPi.
Documentation of the OhmPi deployment at Sadhana Forest India for monitoring an on-contour swale with time-lapse electrical resistivity and soil moisture measurements.
Project Profile
SEG. (2024). “Addressing Water Stress and Characterizing Groundwater Recharge in Sadhana Forest, India Through an Interdisciplinary Approach.” Geoscientists Without Borders.
A Geoscientists Without Borders project profile describing interdisciplinary geophysical surveys, groundwater well planning, long-term monitoring, student involvement, and community engagement.
Sustainable community living
Studies on the impact of sustainable living and environmental volunteering.
Chapter in book
Popp, J. (2024). “Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism: A Case Study of Regenerative Practices in Sadhana Forest, Tamil Nadu, India.” Cases on Innovation and Sustainability in Tourism.
Master’s Thesis
McGuire, E. (2011).”Ecological Revival and Sustainable Living in the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest of Tamil Nadu: A Measurement of Residential Perception in Sadhana Forest.” University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Master’s Thesis
Andriopoulou, E. (2011). “Volunteer Travel and Learning Experiences in an Intentional Community: The Case of Sadhana Forest.” Wageningen University.
Soil Science
Studies on soil formation
Poster Presentation
Roeschli, N., et al. (2021). “The diversity of pedogenic trajectories at Sadhana Forest, Tamil Nadu, India.” EUROSOIL.
A study on the different types of soil and their formation at Sadhana Forest Auroville.
Master’s Thesis
Roeschli, N. (2021).”The diversity of pedogenic trajectories at Sadhana Forest, Tamil Nadu, India”. Université de Lausanne
Aridity and Malnutrition
Identifying priority intervention areas for Sadhana Forest
Research Report
Chauhan, K. (2021). “To find out Districts in India which are high in Malnutrition and Aridity by performing Secondary Data Analysis.” TERI.
Identifying the most arid and malnourished areas in India as possible intervention sites for Sadhana Forest.
Reports
Impact evaluations and reports of Sadhana Forest’s work
Research Report
Kuntner, H. (2024). “Impact Evaluation For Actions To Reverse The Accelerating Vicious Cycle Of Land Degradation And To Build Climate-Resilient Communities In Virudhunagar, India.”
Independent Evaluation of Sadhana Forest’s work in Virudhunagar.
Report
Sadhana Forest (2024). “Immersion Centers Final Report.” Meghalaya Community Led Landscape Management Project.
Final report of Sadhana Forest’s Mobile Reforestation Project in northeast India, funded by the World Bank, in collaboration with the Meghalaya state government.
Research Report
