- green-spots
- land restoration
- Spain
- LIFE+ The Green Desert projects, Spain
Problems
Desertification in Spain
Spain is one of the most vulnerable countries to desertification in Europe. Different numbers are being reported: one-fifth of the land is currently at risk of becoming deserts; 31.5% of the land is already affected by desertification. For instance, years of over-abstraction to irrigate rice fields and olive groves have led to severe water deficits in the Guadalquivir River basin. Sea-level rise and subsequent salinization processes could exacerbate the water shortage and land-loss problem in coastal areas. Desertification is mainly due to forest fires, the loss of soil fertility of irrigated land by salinization, and erosion. Climate change will deteriorate soil fertility through a loss of carbon from the soil. The lack of rainfall, the overuse of irrigation, and the frequent wildfires contribute to the loss of soil fertility and vegetation cover.
Solutions
LIFE+ The Green Deserts project
Spain took measures to combat desertification by implementing the LIFE+ The Green Deserts project. The project's main objective was to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of new tree planting techniques in desertified, poor, and/or rocky areas using an innovative device called the Waterboxx® plant cocoon. This device helps young trees survive their first critical years without irrigation, reducing reforestation's costs and environmental impacts. The project aims to restore the soil quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem functions of degraded lands by planting trees that can improve the sponge function of the soil and support plant life. The project encompassed several specific objectives that underscore its significance and potential impact. One key aim was to demonstrate the viability of cultivating Hedera using the Waterboxx® plant cocoon, a groundbreaking approach designed to enhance CO2 capture and mitigate fine powder emissions along highways. Moreover, on a larger scale, the project sought to unveil innovative solutions tailored to facilitate widespread implementation, providing insights into optimizing outcomes for different soil types, tree species, and application methods. This knowledge extended beyond traditional boundaries, benefiting diverse purposes ranging from agriculture to reforestation and the restoration of ecosystems. During the LIFE+ The Green Deserts project, 63 hectares (all located in semi-dry to arid areas) have been planted with trees using the Waterboxx® plant cocoon in collaboration with the European Commission Environment LIFE program. The trees were planted in Valladolid, Leon, Zamora, Zaragoza, and Barcelona. Implementing the Green Deserts project means advancing to more significant reforestation in Spain and creating small industries and local employment. This contributed to establishing and consolidating a "green economy," one of the priorities of growth currently driven by the Spanish Government. The main goal was to achieve a survival rate of 90% of the planted trees. Around 55,000 saplings of over 25 species with approximately 25,000 Groasis Waterboxx were produced.
Source: https://www.groasis.com/en
Gallery
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Timelines
2015
August 31
The project ended with a final conference in Valladolid, presenting the primary outcomes and achievements to the public. In total, 63 hectares (all located in semi-dry to arid areas) were planted with trees using the Waterboxx® plant cocoon. The trees were planted in Valladolid, Leon, Zamora, Zaragoza, and Barcelona.
2013
The project completed the monitoring and evaluation of the planted trees and hedera plants and analyzed the results regarding environmental, economic, and social benefits. The project also disseminated the findings and best practices to potential target groups and stakeholders and prepared a manual for replication and transferability of the Waterboxx technology.
2012
The project continued to monitor the planted trees and the soil conditions and also conducted a comparative analysis of the Waterboxx technology with other conventional planting methods. The project also experimented with cultivating hedera plants along roadsides using the Waterboxx technology to capture CO2 and fine powder from traffic emissions.
2011
The project planted trees in five different Spanish provinces, namely Valladolid, Leon, Zamora, Zaragoza, and Barcelona, using the innovative Waterboxx technology. The project also monitored the growth and survival rates of the trees and the soil conditions.
2010
September 01
The project started with the characterization and selection of species and land as well as with the preparation of saplings using local varieties that have adapted to difficult climatic conditions.