Projects

Summary:

The main objective of the Fight Desert project is to develop a series of actions in areas of recognised susceptibility to the phenomenon of desertification. The actions to improve and restore Mediterranean ecosystems will be implemented in 7 locations in the Alentejo and Lezíria, namely in 3 Montado LTER Sites (Research and Monitoring Sites of the Long-Term Ecological Studies platform): Companhia das Lezírias, Herdade da Ribeira Abaixo (FCUL), and Coitadinha (EDIA), guaranteeing the monitoring of long-term actions; and on a further four farmsetads located in Mora, Samora Correia, Azinheira dos Barros, São Mamede do Sádão, and Longueira Almograve.
These actions will be monitored to ensure the success of reforestations and increasing tree density efforts, as well as improving the quality and functionality of the soil and its biodiversity, in order to achieve landscape and ecological recovery. In addition, three Pilot Projecst will be implemented to increase the territory's resilience to desertification, considering various climate scenarios (decreased rainfall and increased soil erosion), two on the three LTER sites and a third on an intensive agricultural area located near Vila Nova de Milfontes. These pilot projects will place special emphasis on Mediterranean agroforestry systems with cork and holm oaks, emblematic formations that are among the most vulnerable and have been suffering from low natural regeneration, high adult mortality and low success of afforestation actions in Portugal.
These actions will result in a set of good practices whose ultimate goal will be to increase the success rate of actions to combat desertification in Portugal in the context of supporting the climate transition.

Keywords:

agroforestry; desertification; reforestation; montado; resilience; wood pastures

Funding Institution:

Compete 2020 - REACT-EU - European Commission

Partners:

Município de Grândola
Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa
EDIA – Empresa de Desenvolvimento e Infra-Estrutura do Alqueva, S.A.
Companhia das Lezírias, S.A.
Ferrarias de Baixo – Sociedade Agroflorestal, S.A.
Globalmoza, Partnerships for Humanity, Lda.
Infraestruturas do Ministério da Defesa Nacional - Marinha

Team