DECIDUOUS TREES OF PREVENTION AND DEFENSE AGAINST FOREST FIRES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF BIODIVERSITY

By project GIFT

Published on 29 February 2024

Spain

Galicia

Ames

About this good practice

Revegetation in the biomass management strips with deciduous species in the surroundings of villages or urbanised areas.
Ames is a municipality with an intermediate-high degree of urbanisation that has suffered strong fires in past years, in areas close to houses.
Forest land occupies more than 65% of Galicia and its growing trend is due, among other reasons, to the abandonment of agricultural areas and the depopulation of rural areas.
Ownership is very fragmented, which complicates this task and requires educational work with the community and a trusting relationship.
Ames Council offers neighbouring landowners the opportunity to reforest with deciduous forest species plantations in these fire prevention areas, at a cost of only 20% for landowners. These plots surround different villages or housing estates in this municipality.
The Council studies the characteristics of the plots in order to propose the most suitable species, prepares the land, carries out the planting and then monitors the results.
Each plantation must combine more than one species (at least 10% variability) to avoid monoculture and promote biodiversity.
This practice improves biodiversity in areas forced by law to eliminate tree stands due to fire risk.
The practice began in 2017 and continues nowadays, with annual grants.
The beneficiaries are these villages, landowners and environment, since this practice protects against forest fires and increases ecosystem services.

Resources needed

This practice is financed by the Ames Council´s Strategic Grants Plan (50.000 € per year). The Council co-finances 80% of the cost in the plots located in the biomass management strip around the settlements.
Municipal staff , external services and operators (1 consultant, 1 foreman and 2 labourers).

Evidence of success

From 2017 to 2023, the following results have been obtained:
• Planted plots: 270
• Space (ha): 23,33
• Plants: 5962
• Plants by species: chestnut 54,25, cherry tree 11,65%, oak 5,8%, hazel 9,7%, walnut 2,18%, ash tree 1%, birch 8,4%, maple 6,5%, apple tree 0,26%, pear tree 0,26%.
• Surviving plants: 78%
• Landowners planting beyond the buffer zone:12%
• Allotment holders: 234
• Involved villages: 13

Potential for learning or transfer

This practice may be applicable to other regions with wooden areas close to inhabited areas and where loss of forest habitats is detected.
• It aims to defend against fires and improve biodiversity.
• It brings economic, environmental, landscape and quality of life benefits to its owners and the society.
• It promotes connectivity of flora and fauna, as well as other ecosystem services.
• Deciduous tree species can easily control and inhibit undergrowth by reducing the amount of light under their canopies and the fall of leaves on the ground.
• Deciduous trees plantations increase the value of land where fast-growing species are not allowed to be planted.
• Public-private cooperation facilitates biomass management and lowers the costs for those responsible for carrying it out.
• This practice raises public awareness of the benefit of native tree stands and has an exemplary effect.
• A governance practice for joint action between the public administration and the population.