Throughout these first months of 2023, intense plantation and forestry work is being carried out, using various techniques to achieve the objectives of the LIFE ADAPT-ALEPPO project in terms of: assisted migration, improvement of the floristic and structural diversity of masses, improvement ecohydrology and post-fire regeneration management.

Thus, technicians responsible for each of the beneficiary partners involved in the LIFE project, after designing the actions, have carried out inventories and meticulous monitoring of the work carried out in the demonstration stands of Pinus halepensis masses distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin, in the communities of: Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Murcia and Valencia.

 

  • Assisted migration work from different Pinus halepensis origins

With the aim of recovering forest land that has undergone a degradation process, improving its environmental quality, restoring its functionalities and favoring its dynamic evolution towards more stable and ecologically mature stages, Pinus halepensis plantations from different regions of origin have been carried out in each of the stands of action, using 6-7 different provenances/stand, in addition to accompanying autochthonous species). Each of the specimens has been perfectly labeled for identification and monitoring.

Location of action stands (Action C2)

 

Photos taken during the development of assisted migration work

  • Ecohydrological forestry work in Pinus halepensis stands

With this type of silvicultural treatments, the aim is to: improve the water status of dense forest masses, quantify the deposits and flows of the ecohydrological cycle and guide the reduction of the mass to the amount and type of water that is desired to be produced.

It should be noted that, in the Sierra de Luna stand, intended to generate blue water, 6 piezometers have been installed (3 in the treatment stand and 3 in the control stand) that will allow it to be tested.

Location of action stands (Action C3)

Ecohydrological forestry work

  • Forestry work for the floristic and structural diversification of Pinus halepensis stands

With the aim of implementing innovative forestry techniques aimed at causing a substantial increase in the structural and/or compositional diversity of Aleppo pine forests, work has been carried out in the stands shown in the following figure, using different techniques, depending on of the characteristics of the mass and the objectives to be achieved in each case.

Location of action stands (Action C4)

Photos taken during the development of forestry work for diversification

  • Forestry work for the management of post-fire regeneration in Pinus halepensis masses

Lastly, in burned Aleppo pine stands, regeneration management actions are proposed in order to regulate interspecific competition, stand diversification and conservation of unique elements, among other aspects.

Location of action stands (Action C5)

Post-fire regenerated management work