forest landscape restoration in a mediterranean context

Forest Landscape Restoration

in a Mediterranean Context

Castellabate 2003

Aristotelis C. PapageorgiouAristotelis C. Papageorgiou

Department of Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources,

Democritus University of Thrace, Greece

May 8, 2003 FLR in the Mediterranean 2

Presentation plan

• The Mediterranean forests• Forest management and

biodiversity conservation• Relevance of FLR in the Med• Special cases of Mediterranean

interest:– Restoration after fire– Mitigation of desertification


What is so special about the Med?

• Biological, cultural, social, historical diversity

• Biological diversity:– rich mosaic of changing ecosystems and

land use patterns (from alpine to tropical)– Large amount of species (especially plants) –

high endemism– Populations of species with a broader

distribution are the most variable in terms of genetic diversity


Reasons of high biodiversity

• The relief of the Mediterranean basin



• The Mediterranean climate



• The glaciations era – refugia


Human and biodiversity

• Most ancient human cultures

• Centre of the “known world”

• Organized trade and land use

• First “globalized” economies


Direct use of plant species


Human shaping nature

Agriculture, grazing, fuelwood collection, etc. shape the landscape…


Mediterranean co-evolution

• Degradation – desertification – loss of ecosystem productivity• Mainly small scale activities – high land use diversity – fragmentation• Natural forest ecosystems – mixed forests – protective role against erosion, drought – social importance for RD• Recreation – quality of life• Culture – spirituality


Mediterranean forests


Mediterranean vs. N. European

- extensive instead of intensive production – many products – combined uses / mosaic- mountainous forests- close to nature forestry- social & protective role has priority- low economic significance & political priority – weak forest sector – important NTFP sector- human / forest co-evolution


“Mosaic” - forest landscape


Northern vs. Southern Mediterranean

• SOUTH: ecosystems pushed beyond the point of self-recovery - pressure from grazing, fuelwood collection and other uses - resources are gradually exhausted - desertification


Northern vs. Southern Mediterranean

• NORTH: shift of the rural population towards the cities - reduced quantity and quality of forest management - wildfires, non-sustainable uses and conversion of forests to other land uses - desertification


Deforestation – urban expansion


Is biodiversity at stake?• Disturbance of human – nature balance • Alteration of the Med biodiversity profile• Biodiversity is rather dynamic than static• The dynamic systems are broken (genetic,

ecological, nutrients, water, energy, etc.)• Ecosystem are not able to provide goods and

services in the long term – desertification.• The restoration of the ability of

Mediterranean ecosystems to continue their dynamic function should become the target of any conservation effort in the region


Forest management


Forest management in the Med

• Management strategies & techniques imported from the central and northern counties of Europe - production of timber is priority in most cases

• Apply on the more temperate forests of the Mediterranean region - ignore the non-productive terrestrial ecosystems (I.e. maquis)

• Fail to capture the complexity of Mediterranean forests

• The spatial reference of SFM is the stand and not the broader landscape - more appropriate for the description of the human - nature dynamics


SFM is good – can it help here?

• Most endangered by mismanagement, abandonment and desertification

• Most diverse in all levels• Most crucial for soil protection and the water

cycle – closest to human settlements


Forest protection in the Med• Protection concepts and strategies

imported from northern counties with empty spaces and productive forests - human influence on BD is ignored

• Based mainly on the “set – aside” principle• Focus on absolute protection or special

management of specific biological entities or spatial units – miss the broader picture

• Restricted to reserves and networks• Selection of protected items – majority

remains unprotected


Forest protection and raptors

• Raptors need gaps and openings in the forest, maintained by small scale grazing & logging

• Absolute protection for 20 years increased the density of the forest stand

• Raptors moved to the non-protected part of the forest


“Other wooded land”

• Most Mediterranean countries have a large percentage of terrestrial ecosystems characterized as “other wooded land” – not protected – not managed

• The classical protection / SFM approach has a spatial gap of about 50%

• The classical protection / SFM approach cannot cope with the dynamic nature of Mediterranean forests


Combination of activities


Restoration in the Mediterranean

• Many Mediterranean countries have given priority to forest restoration - programmes have been performed

• Restoration = reforestation = tree planting• Reforestations are less and worse than needed - aim

at the creation of “high forest” stands – not always possible in Med

• Lack of organisation in a broader scale - lack of continuity - absence of support from the public during restoration

• Use of wrong material and techniques• Ad hoc basis, without prior planning• Stand level - the broader landscape context, including

economic and social issues, is not considered


Key features of FLRo FLR combines existing development, conservation

and natural resource management principles o Seeks to advance both ecological integrity and human

well-being, particularly in respect to improving rural livelihoods

o Focuses on the goods, services and processes rather than trees.

o Scales-up action to a landscape level (e.g. watershed).o Recognises and attempts to balance land-use

tradeoffso Is a multisectoral approach extending the decision-

making process to all key stakeholders.o Recognises the need to address the root causes of

degradation and forest loss


Why FLR in the Mediterranean?

Concerns the restoration of functionality of landscapes and respects their dynamic nature, as well as their complexity.

Considers landscapes in a broader level, including biological and social values and parameters.

Fills the gap between SFM and protection and acts in a complementary way for the protection and enhancement of ecosystem integrity, especially of degraded forests.

Involves stakeholders and encourages participation - secures long-term existence of the benefits for the society.

The most appropriate tool against desertification, due to its holistic approach and the integration of social, economic and ecological parameters in planning procedures


How can FLR be applied?

Restoration after fire

Restoration as a measure to mitigate desertification


Restoration after fireThe problem of forest fires in the Mediterranean:• Fire fighting in an ad hoc basis• Prevention is poor – focus on suppression• Restoration is actual only for some weeks in

Autumn – poor quality and quantityAn FLR strategy for the restoration of burnt forests

includes:• The design of proper restoration techniques,

based on natural dynamics• Measures dealing with the underlying causes of

forest fires / prevention actions• A coordination basis for all parties involved in

forest fire prevention, suppression and restoration


So, what is different?Usual procedure after a large fire:• Professionals from forest administration decide

which area should be planted and how many plants should be used.

• The area is cleaned and the vegetation is replaced – professionals in the large scale – plants chosen for several reasons including shape, tolerance, etc.

• Some voluntary actions include planting of several trees by individuals or groups – PR work – no continuity.


So, what is different?FLR approach after a large fire:• Describe the whole landscape that surrounds the

burnt area – consider natural regeneration – consider fire ecological cycle

• Decide on the priorities for the area burnt – amenity, production, protection… - involve parties

• Set a target and work on it in a complementary to natural procedures – use proper material / proper ground / proper methodology.

• Plan restoration activities considering long term trends, threats, such as new fires, grazing, conversion…

• Address and work against the underlying causes of fire (in order to avoid new ones), involving parties.


Desertification

Underlying cause: the lack of coordination between existing environmental and social policies in the Mediterranean region

Forest policy vs. environmental policy, development policies & perverse funding, etc.

Overlaps and gapsFLR can act as an integration mechanism for

existing policies, strategies and measures and combine land use planning with the management of resources.


Forest Policy Network - Greece


Possible constraints• FLR could be considered as one of the new concepts

– ecosystem approach, close to nature forestry, etc. • Who will coordinate the FLR framework? Authorities

in many cases cannot cooperate.• Participation has no legal & institutional basis in

many Mediterranean countries.• Lack of inventories, data, land use regulations.• Contradictory legal framework for a horizontal

activity, such as the FLR.• The success of FLR often depends on the “good

practices” of other activities and sectors.• FLR is a solution for long term benefits for the

society – Short term economic interests may oppose this approach.


Suggested first steps (?)Clarify what it is about:

• Not a cookbook, cannot be applied everywhere• Is dynamic & should be flexible at each case• Is combining the efforts of existing actions and measures

Ask the responsible authorities for their view – let them adopt the concept – do not accuse wrong practices of the past.

Work with low budget activities – no large communication events – seek for the added value – model projects

Let partners of successful cases promote the idea of FLRPromote and support research on the application of FLRTry to influence international and regional policy

procedures, that may promote the idea of FLR, or its approach and main ideas – not its name necessarily.

forest landscape restoration in a mediterranean context

Education

high biodiversity

forest protection

plant speciesmay

large fire

forest landscapemay

dynamic nature

nature forestry

wooded land