ARR Galicia Project
Tierra Purais developing, together with CO2 Revolution and with the support of Fundación Cabify and Glovo, a project for the restoration of ecosystems severely affected by forest fires in the municipalities of Cerdedo-Cotobade (Pontevedra) and Avión (Ourense).
In the first phase of the project, during the 2023-24 season, work is being carried out in an area of 210 hectares, owned by the Communities of Neighbourhood Forestry in Common Hand of Borela and Carballedo de Cerdedo - Cotobade (Pontevedra); and of Couso in the Concello de Avión (Ourense), which are very interested in the execution of the projects and with which agreements have been signed for the transfer of carbon rights.
The land to be reforested was affected by a major fire in 2006. Since the fire, the area has a high density cover of scrubland, mainly composed of Retama and Tojo.
The project aims to accelerate ecological succession, facilitating the establishment of native tree vegetation and improving the ecosystem services provided by the forests.
In the land preparation phase, the total area will be cleared to eliminate the existing scrub and facilitate the planting process and the establishment of the planted trees.
During the 2023-24 planting campaign, approximately 231,000 trees will be planted using two different species combinations:
- In the Cerdedo-Cotobade area, 50% of Pinus pinaster will be used, accompanied by Betula sp ,Quercus robur Crataegus monogyna and Salix atrocinerea.
- In the Avión area, 100% of Quercus pyrenaica will be used .
Between 2024 and 2026 maintenance actions will be carried out, mainly:
-Release weeding to allow the adequate development of the trees.
-Replacement of trees that have not survived during this period.
From the year 2026 onwards, the density of scrub will be combated through two different ways:
-In some stands, where it will be planted at a higher density, it is expected to achieve canopy closure, which limits the growth of scrub due to the lack of illumination.
-In the rest of the stands, livestock will be introduced, mainly horses in the first years and later cattle.
The main management milestone during the project's permanence period will be the reduction of density (mainly Pinus pinaster) for release, which is carried out between years 12 and 15 depending on the development.
The extent of the intervention will generate a landscape change in an area severely affected by forest fires. The use of a combination of coniferous and hardwood species will reduce the risk of fires in the future.
The project has been designed and implemented following the requirements of the Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) methodology of the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), and during the year 2024 the procedures established for its registration in this international standard will be carried out.
With the support of AGRESTA, an ex ante estimate of the capture and generation of credits from the project has been made. Considering the execution proposed in the project design, it has been estimated a gross absorption of 110,000 tCO2eq in a 35-year horizon, which would generate 90,000 VCU's or carbon credits verified by VCS.
The project will be registered as a grouped project, allowing the addition of new areas and activities in future monitoring and verification events.
We have a great opportunity to improve ecosystems and benefit future generations.
It is time to act.
