Ecological Restoration in Santa Clara a Velha, Phase II

The Life Terra Foundation closed 2023 with a great ecological restoration effort in Santa Clara a Velha, Odemira (Portugal). Contuining the work done in previous seasons, 38.000 trees of 6 different species were planted. This area, caracterized by its extreme temperature conditions and low rainfall, has also suffered from the invasion of Eucalyptus. When in monoculture, this species has the capacity to exhaust soils and leave little to no space for natural regeneration. During this plantation, 10 workers participated to remove Eucalyptus individuals and plant a mix of autochtonous species to enhance biodiversity and recover the fertility of soils. This plantation also allows for native plants to colonize the space between the lines, doubling the restoration efforts. To ensure a high survival rate of the new saplings, the land was previously prepared using machinery, while the plantation was done by hand by the workers. Furthermore, as part of our long term commitment with restoration, we planted a mixture of species that provides fruits and pines to the landowener in order to provide an economic revenue. This revenue can be then used to assure proper maintance of the plantation.

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