Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Pontevedra (Galicia)

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2024

Duration:

01/01/2024 - 31/12/2025

Typology:

Development and diversification of forestry uses and harvests

Total budget:

269,084.00 euros

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

255,629.80 euros

The Vigo Mountains are characterized by a peri-urban location and an open layout with more than 300,000 inhabitants in its area. They cover 17% of Vigo’s surface area in the form of a belt. More than half of the use of the forests is social and conservation, with no economic use and, consequently, with difficulties for their adequate maintenance and conservation. Approximately one third of the aforementioned forests burned in 2017. In addition, increasing social and human pressure on these ecosystems accentuates the urgency of sustainable management. This project is a crucial response to the challenge of harmonizing the social and economic use of forests for their conservation.

This initiative provides in-depth research on the ecosystem services of forests, creating scientific indicators and data-driven conservation strategies. This approach provides a framework for efficient, resilient and sustainable forest management and facilitates informed decision making. The effective adaptation of these measures is contemplated in the project, which directly involves the final actors: the Communities of Forestry. The implementation of the proposed methodology will allow their active participation in the sustainable management of the environment. The project concretizes these strategies with tangible actions, such as the creation of a mycological preserve. This step represents a way of combining the recreational use of natural heritage with its conservation and use, raising awareness of the importance of ecosystem services and promoting green economy initiatives. In addition, the project formulates protocols for the management of ecosystem services that could make it easier for the commonwealth to obtain funding. These efforts reflect the project’s innovative approach to ensure the conservation and sustainable enjoyment of the Vigo Mountains.

 

To enhance the value of the ecosystem services of a forest area belonging to 14 communities of neighboring forests in common ownership:

• Investigate two ecosystem services (provisioning services, regulation and support of water resources and cultural/recreational services) and carry out their economic valuation, generating two reports. Based on this knowledge, develop a document with strategic guidelines for the enhancement of these services on 1,565 ha and a methodology for the measurement and future monitoring of 10 environmental indicators. Integrate the Strategic Framework into the Management Plans of the Modified Forest Communities (up to 14 plans over 1,565 ha).
• Develop methodologies for the management and attraction of exogenous resources (1-3 sponsorship agreements or public-private financing negotiated by the commonwealth). To carry out a pilot experience looking for a recreational service based on two periurban mycological preserves of 35 ha each, with prior feasibility studies followed by dynamization and awareness campaigns (2 collaboration agreements with mycological associations). Training for the promotion of green employment, aimed at sustainable forest management and specialization in mycological resources (30 participants).

• Investigation of the ecosystem services of the Vigo’s forests.
• Design of the strategy for the enhancement of the ecosystem services of the Vigo mountains.
• Implementation of a pilot experience of recreational service: mycological preserve in a peri-urban environment.
• Training for the promotion of employment and entrepreneurship in the green economy.
• Coordination and management.
• Communication plan.
• Gender aspects.