Project
NbS to combat desertification

A combination of various NbS shall be selected in order to revert desertification of this semi-arid part of Southwest Iberia:

  • ecological restoration of degraded areas in a mosaic model to reduce wildfire risk, increase biodiversity, promote freshwater retention and filtration, and contribute to increase agro-forestry economic outputs
  • removal of obsolete barriers in both streams (Foupana and Odeleite) and restoration of riverbanks and riparian galleries, in order to promote river connectivity and improve related ecosystem services
  • small-scale water retention techniques and green infrastructures to ensure freshwater resources for local flora and fauna, combat wildfires, increase water infiltration and soil conservation, and improve water quality runoff to the Odeleite reservoir

Imact should be measured by:

  • reduction of average annual burnt surface
  • increased performance of ecosystem services and biodiversity values
  • increased retention of freshwater on local ecosystems
  • improved quality of water runoff to the Odeleite reservoir
  • increased revenue from local agro-forestry products

The project should complement and connect previous restoration projects conducted in the area by ANP|WWF, with both public and private funding, presently totalling over 1 million euros and 225ha of land restored.