PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Canarian Laurisilva (Macaronesian laurel forest) is a type of relict forest that was part of the vegetation that covered Europe and the Sahara in the Tertiary period. It is a priority habitat according to the Habitats Directive. Today, the only area where relicts of this once important ecosystem are to be found are in the Canary Islands the Azores and Madeira. Laurel forests are located on the northern side of the islands, oriented towards the trade winds, at an altitude of 800 -1 500 m in the condensation belt of marine humidity. In addition to their rich biological diversity, laurel forests also carry out various important ecological functions. Not only do they help increase the rainfall, which replenishes the aquifers, but they also provide protection against soil erosion.
On the island of Gran Canaria, the relicts of laurel forests have been reduced to tiny enclaves scattered along the slopes and ravines of the Monte de Doramas. These represent little more than 1% of its original distribution.
OBJECTIVES
The project objectives were to recover a fragment of original laurel forest and to carry out public information and environmental education to publicise the importance of this habitat. The final target would be to connect the fragmented patches of laurisilva and increase the area covered by this forest through the promotion of reforestation on private lands.
The measures included in the project involved the purchase of land and the implementation of reforestation using special techniques as demonstrative actions. Moreover, a major education programme would be set up, including the construction of infrastructure (nature centre, tree nursery, etc.) in order to promote public awareness about the ecological value of laurel forest.
RESULTS
The project achieved most of its objectives, generating a very positive attitude towards laurel forest recovery in the area.
The main results:
-Preparatory actions including an inventory of relict sites of laurel forest in Gran Canaria. This had two objectives: to obtain seeds of autochthonous trees; to design a recovery plan to connect through ecological corridors those laurisilva spots. This plan included also a study on land use and property rights.
- Purchase of an estate of 62 ha (Cortijo Pavón). On this estate demonstrative reforestation was undertaken and a tree nursery was built. One of the outputs was a methodological guide compiling the experience gained.
- Restoration of Valleseco lagoon (an old volcanic crater filled up with sediments and covered with a plastic sheet in order to use the basin to catch water for banana groves) and creation of a wetland. Actions to recover this area included the removal of the plastic covering the lagoon, laurel forest plantation and creation of a pond with a hide for birdwatching. These measures had a very strong impact in the area of the project given the large amount of people that visit this site every weekend.
The total surface area reforested directly by the project was 81.5 ha. A further 15.3 ha of private land was planted by the owners under the encouragement of the project managers.
- Construction of a lodge and a nature education centre (including construction and restoration of buildings, implementation of a pedagogic tree nursery, creation of nature paths and a grove of laurel forest fruit trees). The educational centre was completed and well equipped (including facilities for handicapped people).
- Awareness raising was addressed through publications in the local press, the edition of a video about the laurel forest and the LIFE project, educational packs, informative panels in the nature paths, leaflets and a trekking programme. Positive press coverage also included a close follow up of the project. Materials produced are of very high quality and the local population has very positive attitude about the results of the project.
The project led to the proposal of SCI ES7010005 Los Tilos de Moya.The project achieved most of its objectives, generating a very positive attitude towards laurel forest recovery in the area.
The main results:
-Preparatory actions including an inventory of relict sites of laurel forest in Gran Canaria. This had two objectives: to obtain seeds of autochthonous trees; to design a recovery plan to connect through ecological corridors those laurisilva spots. This plan included also a study on land use and property rights.
- Purchase of an estate of 62 ha (Cortijo Pavón). On this estate demonstrative reforestation was undertaken and a tree nursery was built. One of the outputs was a methodological guide compiling the experience gained.
- Restoration of Valleseco lagoon (an old volcanic crater filled up with sediments and covered with a plastic sheet in order to use the basin to catch water for banana groves) and creation of a wetland. Actions to recover this area included the removal of the plastic covering the lagoon, laurel forest plantation and creation of a pond with a hide for birdwatching. These measures had a very strong impact in the area of the project given the large amount of people that visit this site every weekend.
The total surface area reforested directly by the project was 81.5 ha. A further 15.3 ha of private land was planted by the owners under the encouragement of the project managers.
- Construction of a lodge and a nature education centre (including construction and restoration of buildings, implementation of a pedagogic tree nursery, creation of nature paths and a grove of laurel forest fruit trees). The educational centre was completed and well equipped (including facilities for handicapped people).
- Awareness raising was addressed through publications in the local press, the edition of a video about the laurel forest and the LIFE project, educational packs, informative panels in the nature paths, leaflets and a trekking programme. Positive press coverage also included a close follow up of the project. Materials produced are of very high quality and the local population has very positive attitude about the results of the project.
The project led to the proposal of SCI ES7010005 Los Tilos de Moya.