HISTORY
TERRA PRETA was founded in September 2007 as a research and innovation company focused on ecology, agriculture, and related fields. We provide technical and scientific consulting to researchers and application engineers working in these areas. In addition, our company supplies laboratory equipment and sensors for in-situ measurements, as well as customized monitoring systems for various research applications.

NAME
In Portuguese, TERRA PRETA means "dark soil", a term that early explorers of Amazonian region attributed to something they found in total contrast with the surrounding reddish, iron rich background soil. Highly fertile, rich in organic matter, yet less prone to leaching than other soils, terra preta was discovered to be man made - one of the very few anthropogenic ecosystems that are not degradable. Moreover, it seems that the use of low-temperature charcoal treatment by the ancient Amazonian population has lead to the development of a sustainable and self-renewable system, due to the microbiologically active environment that was created. This example is a landmark for the philosophy of our company: use of scientific research and technical expertise to improve soil conservation and sustainable development of anthropogenic ecosystems.

EMBLEM
Unfortunately, there are no Martini glasses in the center of our emblem, even if we'd like to. The 3 triangles and 3 vertical lines represent, in fact, the symbol of water in cuneiform writing. Below, there's a cryptic depiction of it's evolution over time:

Cuneiform writing was invented in Mesopotamia some six thousand years ago. Given the huge importance of water in this civilization and the high level of agricultural and irrigation skills reached by Mesopotamians, the symbol was chosen to describe the need for monitoring and understanding natural phenomena, in particular water-soil-plant-atmosphere interactions. The symbol is also a reminder of the disastrous consequences if science and technology are not properly applied - intensive advanced irrigation has lead to salination of soils in Mesopotamia, an irreversible process that decisively affected the fall of an empire.

LOGO
"Natura nihil fit in frustra" is a Latin phrase meaning "Nature does nothing in vain". Indeed, whatever seems to be chaotic in nature is in fact the result of physical, chemical, geological, and biological constraints, with a magnitude and complexity beyond our power of comprehension. In this context, the anthropogenic impact on nature and ecosystems reaction to human intervention should be studied using non-destructive and non-polluting methods.