Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Lleida (Catalonia), Huesca (Aragon) and Madrid (Community of Madrid)

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2024

Duration:

01/01/2024 - 31/12/2025

Typology:

Development and diversification of forestry uses and harvests

Total budget:

1,333,967.44 euros

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

1,267,269.07 euros

For decades, the economy of the Aran Valley has been moving away from the primary sector to prioritize tourism and services derived from its physical, ecological and political uniqueness. As a consequence, the rural natural environment has been closing due to the increasing abandonment of crops and pastures, which has given way to areas of scrubland and secondary forest, while the density of forests has been increasing in number of trees and biomass volume. Paradoxically, this situation has led to the need to import wood, traditionally used in Aranese construction, and thermal energy. To reduce this dependence, the project proposes the revitalization of forest use following the implementation of the Aran Forest Resources Management Plan (PORF) with cutting-edge silvicultural management that contributes to the forest bioeconomy, energy transition and natural and social resilience in the face of climate change.

BoscAran’s actions are aimed at diversifying forest use and promoting more resilient landscapes.

BoscAran’s general objective is to activate the bioeconomy of the Aran Valley, taking advantage of the driving force of the forestry sector to promote the sustainable development of the rural environment with actions included in the Spanish Forestry Strategy Horizon 2050, the Spanish Forestry Plan, and the Common Basic Guidelines for Sustainable Forest Management. The extraction of forest aerial biomass using techniques specifically designed for high mountain sites (aerial cable) and its subsequent use, mainly as biofuel for heat networks, but also in construction, contributes to the political commitment of the European Green Pact to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, combat energy poverty, and ensure the sustainability of farms and the long-term economic future of the forest. BoscAran also addresses the challenges of the Demographic Challenge by strengthening social and territorial cohesion, local employment and the role of local actors.

• Supervision of strategic forest planning of the Forest Resources Management Plan (PORF).
• Drafting of 4 innovative Forest Management Instruments (IOF)
• Obtaining the PEFC and CATFOREST certificate of Sustainable Forest Management.
• Technical support in the dynamization of forestry and harvesting.
• Biomass thermal development planning
• Technical support in biomass logistics
• Training in the use of aerial cable
• Transport, equipment and use of aerial cable
• Communication and dissemination of results
• Scientific-technical transfer and replication of the model