Bridges made from Living Trees
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The state of Meghalaya in northeastern India is one of the wettest areas of the country, with the village of Mawsynram reportedly the wettest place on earth. With an average rainfall of 17,800 millimetres per year, monsoons deluge the area, making man-made constructions difficult to maintain.
Which is where the Indian rubber fig tree (Ficus elastica) comes in. For centuries, these trees have helped the local Khasi people stay connected, managing to overcome swelling rivers and near-constant rain.
It's not an easy task, however, and the bridges take years and years to construct. They also need to be maintained, which can take the work of whole families or villages.
As well as being robust in the face of difficult weather, the root bridges help to halt soil erosion and absorb greenhouse gases. Ficus elastica are considered particularly important for the wider ecosystem.
It is thought that 50 or more people can cross mature bridges, which have a lifespan of hundreds of years.
Some examples below. But wow, 17800 ml/year = 700 in/year = 2 inch/day!!!
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