Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

A Coruña (Galicia)

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2024

Duration:

10/01/2024 - 15/12/2025

Typology:

Comprehensive mosaic/landscape multifunctionality recovery projects

Total budget:

1,999,856.21 euros

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

1,899,863.40 euros

In 2020, the Barbanza Ecosocial Laboratory was launched, a living lab for research and action that works with the communities of this region of A Coruña on the ecosocial transition of the territory, recovering local knowledge on territorial management, which represents in an exemplary way concepts of circularity, multifunctionality, proximity, regenerative livestock farming or soil restoration. The proposal now aims to consolidate the Laboratory as a lighthouse at the European level and, through a multi-stakeholder approach, to integrate all actors in the agroforestry value chain. Capacities will be generated through training, education and volunteering; community management and carbon sequestration capacities will be assessed; and interventions will be made in the bush to reactivate abandoned areas, introduce livestock and take advantage of its resources in a sustainable manner, with the aim of conserving biodiversity, preventing fires and generating economic opportunities.

 

The project represents an essential and transformative initiative in the Barbanza peninsula, a region that suffers from frequent forest fires. This project stands as a bastion in the fight for sustainable management, based on sound scientific methodologies and with a collaborative and community engagement approach.

The importance of this project lies in its potential to change the paradigm of forest management in the region, promoting biodiversity, circular economy and the creation of green jobs. These goals will be achieved through the development of a multifunctional and diversified forest resource management model that minimizes environmental impact.

The overall objective of the project is to promote a transition towards environmental sustainability and increase resilience in the territorial management of the Barbanza forests. Assessment of the sustainability of current management and the design of a multifunctional harvesting model will guide future management decisions, and analysis of carbon sequestration capacity will ensure the long-term income-generating capacity of communities. The diversification of forest uses will be promoted, recovering degraded areas and enhancing their productivity to generate added value by obtaining and transforming raw materials, thus contributing to fire prevention. The management, use and transformation of timber and non-timber resources will be optimized, promoting the creation of value, employment opportunities and strengthening the link between society and the territory through training, volunteer work and education.

• Evaluation of 3 communities, with multifunctional methodology applied to 8 communities and creation of an Energy Community; environmental restoration (elimination of IAS, cleaning, clearing and thinning) and promotion of extensive regenerative livestock farming on 40 hectares, in order to reduce the risk of fires on 120 hectares.

 

• Transformation and marketing of food products, with the development of a specific center and networks of short agri-food marketing chains, and of timber products (500 m3 of sawn timber). It also contemplates the composting of agricultural and forestry waste (30 m3) for soil restoration (application in 3 types of soils), and certification of carbon credits in the VERRA standard, for commercialization. It includes training actions: Volunteering (400 volunteers in 20 days) and environmental education (300 students), and communication and dissemination: Publication of a scientific article and presentation of the project in 2 public meetings in the Barbanza region.