FOREST MONITORING
In order to achieve good results in forest restoration projects, it is also essential that areas are maintained periodically, in order to offer support and conditions for the good development of seedlings in the field. For this, support is carried out for a minimum period of 24 months after planting, until the total covering and shading of the soil by the seedlings is observed. This shading stops the natural growth of weeds and grass from the system, removing their competition for water, light and nutrients and allowing the planted trees the maximum support. In this stage, the activities of crowning the seedlings (removing all competition weeds from around the trees), weeding the land, control of leaf-cutting ants, top-dressing and/or foliar fertilisation and replacement planting of failures, are carried out.
No Legend - (Waiting for the Files)
To monitor whether the new forest is developing properly and fulfilling its ecological role, it is necessary to monitor and evaluate its growth. The purpose of forest monitoring is to check both the quality and success of plantations, observing the re-establishment of processes, ecological functions and from that biodiversity in the future. For this, we have two periodic monitoring stages: the first, which complies with INEA Resolution No. 143 of June 14, 2017 and aims to assess the quality of plantations; and the second, which evaluates the accumulated biomass and the carbon stock in the restoration plantations in the long term.
For us, it is very rewarding to observe the first flowering and fruiting of the seedlings in each restored area. It is also interesting to observe the spontaneous arrival of new plants and of animals, such as insects, birds, rodents and small mammals colonising the natural regeneration areas, The key indicators are directly related to the functioning of the ecosystem and the effectiveness and success of restoration, thus ensuring the sustainability of these areas.
Forest monitoring team collecting data - © REGUA
The success of REGUA's environmental restoration projects is the result of two decades of hard work, which requires the involvement of many partners, efforts between the parties, the institution's experience and the proper functioning of the entire production chain of forest restoration.