How Cyril Melikov Is Restoring Degraded Forest Ecosystems

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a hero "is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities." By that definition, Cyril Melikov is a hero. Cyril, who is originally from France and is now living in North America, has dedicated his career to restoring our forests and fighting climate change. As the Head of Forest Restoration and Management projects at EP Carbon, he is committed to saving the planet. He does this through projects that make forests healthier.

From a young age, Cyril's destiny was written in the stars, or, to be more precise—trees. He was drawn to the outdoors. His love for nature was sparked by activities like fly fishing, where he learned to appreciate the beauty of natural ecosystems. This early interest in nature's complex systems led him to pursue a career focused on understanding and protecting the environment.

A key moment in Cyril's career came during his Master's studies at UC Berkeley. During his thesis work, he studied how different forest management techniques affect how much carbon forests can store. This research, which resulted in a publication in the top-tier journal Current Forestry Reports, helped Cyril because it allowed him to see how scientific concepts could be applied to real-world situations. He learned about carbon offset markets, where businesses invest in projects that reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere as part of their effort to balance out their emissions.

Cyril then contributed his insights from his thesis work to numerous high-impact projects and studies. This included working on groundbreaking research projects, including studies published in top scientific journals like Nature Climate Change. These projects often explore the best ways to use nature to reduce the effects of climate change. For instance, Cyril was part of a significant study that identified the most effective natural methods for climate mitigation. This research is used by policymakers and companies to decide where to focus their environmental efforts.

Another major project Cyril was involved in was creating a vast database about how trees in plantations around the world absorb carbon. This information is vital for improving how we manage existing and restored forests to maximize their carbon-absorbing capabilities.

In his current role at EP Carbon, Cyril is leading initiatives that not only aim to reduce carbon emissions but also improve the overall health of forests. His current projects involve restoring native forests on degraded lands; he is working with land in Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. This work aims to "restore forests by fostering collaboration between various actors like NGOs, academia, private companies, project funders, and local communities," Melikov says.

The restoration projects Melikov is currently working on deliver multiple benefits, including enhancing biodiversity (the variety of life in a particular habitat), improving air quality, and supporting local communities who rely on forests for their livelihoods. 

Cyril's work is also about educating others and setting standards in the field. He teaches other professionals about the latest, most effective forest management techniques based on scientific research. His efforts help ensure that more people can use these methods to make a positive difference in the environment.

Looking ahead, Cyril aims to be recognized globally as an expert in using natural solutions to address environmental challenges, with a special focus on forest and agricultural areas. His work demonstrates that by caring for our forests and using science to guide our actions, we can preserve the natural world for future generations. When it comes to forestry, Cyril is indeed a hero.