This year we started several projects, which are now in the development and implementation phase. Find out about all our recent actions.
A Next Impulse for Biodiversity and Rewilding in the Faia Brava Reserve – Viridia
The Viridia project, dedicated to forest regeneration in the Faia Brava Reserve, has made significant progress, despite the challenges it has faced. Over an area of 23.114 hectares, pruning has been carried out and mulching has been applied, which has helped to retain water in the soil and improve conditions for the trees to survive. In October, Faia Brava acquired 7,500 trees with two main objectives: to replant existing cultivation areas, compensating for natural mortality, and to create new forest islands, with the support of the Trees For All project.
The replanting of the eight planting plots was successfully completed, replacing dead trees with saplings of native species such as strawberry tree, hawthorn, ash and cork oak, promoting the regeneration of the ecosystem and biodiversity. Another important achievement was the installation of three Canadian railings, which solved the problem of gates left open by visitors, preventing the escape of garranos and the entry of livestock from neighbouring properties. This measure promotes harmonious coexistence between Faia Brava and the local communities. In the current context, the support of the Viridia Foundation has proved absolutely essential in guaranteeing the effective management of Faia Brava and ensuring that we continue to make progress towards achieving the goals of preventing forest fires, good neighborliness and collaboration with neighboring communities, ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation. The Viridia project therefore not only contributes to ecological restoration, but also to strengthening relations with neighboring landowners, supporting the sustainable development of the region.
Trees for all
In July, after months of waiting for updates from the supplier, we were informed that the 50% shade net would not be available within the required timeframe. In view of this, we decided to opt for the 75% shade net, which, although not perfectly in line with our original specifications, will provide sufficient protection for the plants during the warmer months. In addition, we took the opportunity to reinforce the nursery's infrastructure, making it more resistant to strong winds and heavy rains, with the aim of ensuring the protection of the young trees and the safe operation of the nursery in adverse weather conditions. The initial goal of pruning 2,000 trees was far exceeded, with our field team (Luís and José) pruning a total of 3,294 trees. During this process, we implemented sustainable practices, such as using a shredder for the materials removed, which were used as mulch at the base of the trees. This mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, which is essential for tree growth, especially during the dry season. In addition, as this mulch decomposes, it releases important nutrients that improve soil fertility and promote a healthier ecosystem. For the next phase of the project, an order has been placed for 6,000 trees, selected on the basis of their resilience and adaptability to the region's climate and soil. The species chosen include cork oak (Quercus suber), Portuguese oak (Quercus faginea), narrow-leaf ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo Town Council has generously offered logistical support for the transportation of the trees, ensuring an efficient collection and planting operation, which will allow us to move forward without delays. One of the main challenges we faced was the high rate of plant mortality caused by wild boar attacks. To solve this problem, after TFA's visit, we decided to install four electric fences around the most affected plots. The fences were chosen as a non-lethal solution to keep wild boar and other herbivores away from the planting areas, allowing the young trees to grow undisturbed. The success of this preventative measure will be crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of reforestation.
This project is an important step towards the ecological restoration of the region, and the improvements implemented so far will further strengthen our efforts towards a healthier and more resilient ecosystem.
Interreg
As part of the Interreg project, during the spring and summer we monitored various species that choose the Faia Brava Reserve as their home. This project also aimed to monitor the population of the striped turtle (Emys orbicularis). However, this monitoring did not produce the expected results, as we were unable to confirm the presence of this species in the Faia Brava Reserve.
In addition to the monitoring activities, this project allowed us to expand the network of ponds within the reserve, thus increasing the availability of water throughout the year.
Soil@INT
The Soil@Int project has begun its fieldwork, with the aim of promoting the scientific assessment of soil health. The team, made up of five researchers from the University of Aveiro's CESAM and biologist Carlos Barroqueiro from Faia Brava, has already collected more than 200 soil samples, covering the entire municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo. This monitoring phase is crucial for mapping the quality of the region's soils and contributing to the implementation of sustainable soil management practices.
In addition, in partnership with LNEG, test flights will be carried out to define and georeference the blocks that will be sampled by drone. In addition to georeferencing the squares, experimental multispectral and LIDAR surveys were also carried out.
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