Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Fight Against Desertification
Project funded by
EEAGrants Fund.
Total area
94 hectares
Goals
Fighting
soil erosion and desertification.
Reducing
the loss of organic carbon in the soil.
Increase
of agricultural productivity.
Increase
of vegetation cover.
Mitigating
Biodiversity Loss.
Vale do Guadiana Natural Park
Territorial program
+SOLO +VIDA
The Territorial Program +SOLO +VIDA is an initiative promoted by ADPM – Mértola Heritage Defense Association, in partnership with Cooperativa Agrícola do Guadiana, Natural Business Intelligence, University of Algarve and International Development Norway. It aims to boost adaptation to climate change and fight desertification in
Vale do Guadiana Natural Park.
Who is it for?
Farm holdings located within the protected area, which covers the municipalities of Mértola and Serpa, with the aim of empowering local actors, specifically farmers, to adopt 10 good agrosilvopastoral practices that aid in fighting soil degradation.
Implementation of the territorial program +SOLO +VIDA
The 10 good agrosilvopastoral practices
The Territorial Program +SOLO +VIDA aims to share knowledge and build the capacity of farmers operating within Parque Natural do Vale do Guadiana. We will work together to increase the uptake of best practices that help reinforce the resilience of the cork oak forest (montado) to climate change.
Mediterranean mosaic enhancement
Selective vegetation clearing and strip clear-cutting application.
Promotion of natural regeneration
Protecting regeneration from herbivory through the installation of protectors.
Functional biodiversity
Installation of hedges and plant structures to increase auxiliary species and pollinators.
Permanent pasture
Conservation, installation (direct seeding) and improvement (soil corrections) of pastures.
Adaptive grazing management
Implementation of grazing plans.
Water retention and conservation in the landscape
Improvement of water quality in storage systems. Improvement of riparian habitats.
Control erosion and increase infiltration
Planting in contour lines of tree and shrub vegetation. Planting annual crops without soil tillage.
Restoration of water lines
Conservation and restoration of riparian galleries (habitat 92D0).
Soil Improvement
Installation of cover crops or soil-improving crops.
Circular economy and carbon farming
Production of compost from organic forest and agricultural residue.
Map of the intervention area
94 hectares within Guadiana Valley Natural Park, a territory vulnerable to desertification, will be the testing ground for the pilot of a participatory governance model. This includes the design, as well as the implementation and evaluation of a territorial program, based on cooperation and sharing.
Pilot project +SOLO +VIDA
+SOLO +VIDA
What does the project ensure?
• Planning of the intervention and methodology.
• Materials: Seeds, plants, fertilizers, fences, etc.
• Implementation: Contracting services for planting, seeding, sowing etc. and monitoring of implementation in the field.
• Evaluation of results: Identification and verification of indicators.
What concerns the farmer?
• Participation in planning and good practice information sessions.
• Information about the farm and the plot to be intervened.
• Access to intervention for monitoring purposes.
• Follow-up of the implementation on your farm.
• Maintenance of the implemented actions, including deficit irrigation of the plantations.
