Firmly committed to encouraging sustainable development, and working in conjunction with a number of local organisms, Torraspapel, part of the Lecta Group, is taking part in its seventh forest restoration programme with the Spanish NGO Acciónatura (previously Fundació Natura). Forest restoration is an essential pillar of Torraspapel's commitment to society and the environment.

Through this “Trees against Fire” project, Torraspapel is taking part in the recovery and conservation of the mixed autochthonous forest in the municipal district of As Nogais, in the province of Lugo, by re-establishing the original vegetation, and thus reaping the attendant ecological benefits: soil protection, heightened biodiversity, and an enhanced natural landscape.

THE PROJECT
Background
Back in the summer of 2006, a spate of forest fires devastated tens of thousands of hectares of forest and uplands in Galicia, in Northwest Spain. This area is characterized by its low existing percentages of indigenous forests, which are generally made up of a combination of broadleaf species, especially pedunculate oak, birch, beech and a number of others.

Historically these forests were logged and replaced by farms and pastures and, more recently, exotic pine and eucalyptus plantations. The newer forests are far more vulnerable to forest fires, being made up of pyrophyte species that germinate precisely after forest fires. Many landowners realised that they had to commit themselves to recovering the indigenous forests, since those forests can play an important role in controlling river flooding, improving water quality and preventing erosion. And that is why Acciónatura started up a reforestation project in Galicia.

General description
A long-term biodiversity conservation and restoration project has begun. It consists of the restoration of burned woodland by planting indigenous species in order to obtain a broadleaf forest, made up principally of pedunculate oak and other species native to the area.

The project entails a commitment to maintenance and active intervention lasting at least 10 years. By agreement with the owners and the local government, the aim is, in a way, to “adopt” this upland area until the work has proved successful enough for it to be handed back to its owners or stewards. The work undertaken will be pursued gradually over several years, as the resources required become available.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AREA
In phase one, rapidly-growing species will be planted to stabilize the groundsoil and offer shade for other species more sensitive to heat and sun. For these first species, the use of birch (Betula celtiberica) and Scots pine (Pinus silvestris) hasbeen proposed.
Other dominant species will be penduculate oak (Quercus robur) and Pyrenan oak (Quercus pyrenaica) and well as European beech (Fagus sylvatica). In the streams and wetter areas, alders (Alnus glutinosa) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) will be planted. With a lower density, other species will be added of aesthetic value or that bear fruit important for the fauna such as yew (Taxus baccata), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Scots elm (Ulmus glabra), wild cherry (Prunus avium), common hazel (Corylus avellana) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia).

A total of 600 trees and bushes will be planted, generally broadleaf species characteristic of indigenous Galician forests. The exact types, including holly, yew, oak, birch, beech, ash and sycamore, will be determined by the exact location, orientation and type of soil.

AIMS AND BENEFITS

• Improve the general state of the ecosystem


• Increase species, genetic and habitat diversity


• Increase the representation of indigenous species and ensure satisfactory reproduction


• Promote activities aimed at supporting the rarest or most-threatened fauna species


• Obtain a well-structured forest, with a well-developed tree substrate and understory that serves as a refuge and a food source for the local fauna.


• Minimize the risk of new forest fires in the area.


• Ensure the maintenance and success of the reforestation.

RESULTS / INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Acciónatura will monitor the work performed and will publish at minimum a yearly report. The report will track indicators of the reforestation’s success, flora and fauna response, and will also include an assessment of the general opinion of the initiative and its impact in the media. Once the intervention’s success has been evaluated, the necessary measures to repair holes, improve maintenance or perform other types of action will be taken.

This project falls within the framework of the social and environmental responsibility aspects of Torraspapel's mission and corporate values. All the technical information on this collaborative effort can be found in Acciónatura's website – www.accionatura.org