Baza danych projektów PROW
Portuguese forest environment project protects rare birds and creates business opportunities
Summary
An innovative EAFRD delivery mechanism in Portugal is being used to provide packages of integrated RDP support focused on supporting the conservation status of species in Natura 2000 sites.
Background
Integrated Territorial Interventions (ITI) are unique zonal RDP schemes for nine Natura 2000 areas in Portugal. Each area has its own ITI with a particular mix of integrated axis 2 and 3 measures matched to specific local needs, within the common aim of promoting agricultural and forestry systems to achieve biodiversity conservation and landscape maintenance in the Natura 2000 area.
Objective
In the case of the Tejo Internacional ITI, its aim is to use axis 2 &3 funds in combinations to (inter alia):conserve the basic ecological structure, and maintain non-irrigated cereal-fallow rotations, with direct drilling of cereals; renaturalise forest areas, maintain groves of native trees and shrubs and conserve ecological corridors; protect regeneration processes; operate partnerships approaches to management/implementation of ITI objectives
Main activities
The farm Herdade do Fervedouro illustrates the type of individual project supported by the Tejo Internacional ITI. The property has more than 200 ha of oak, and the management of 50 ha of this is being supported by annual forest-environment payments, to maintain groves of native trees and shrubs (including notable or relict specimens) and conserve the network of ecological corridors. The farm will also apply for non-productive investment support for deer fencing to protect natural regeneration.
Results & Benefits
Once fully implemented, it is expected that the project on Herdade do Fervedouro and the other ITI projects will: maintain extensive grazing systems and traditional forestry practices, reducing the risk of land abandonment and other changes which may lead to biodiversity loss; conserve the high nature value oak groves and croplands that heavily depend on the continuation of specific agroforestry systems and practices; preserve important landscapes features; and increase Natura bird populations
Lessons learnt
The most important lesson has been the vital role of the Local Support Structure (LSS) in boosting local implementation of agri-forest-environment measures. The mix of complementary skills and expertise that five organisations contributed to the LSS has had a significant leverage effect on its effectiveness. The target population responded very positively, immediately showing their appreciation of a structure that provides monitoring and support.
Project location and other information
Castelo Branco, Idanha-a-Nova and Vila Velha de Ródão
Region
Mainland
RDP Territory
Mainland
Total project cost (€)
25 000
EAFRD contribution (€)
20 000
National contribution (€)
5000
Contact name
Estrutura Local de Apoio da Intervenção Territorial Integrada do Tejo Internacional
Telephone
+ 351 272 348 600
Languages for contact
English, Portuguese
At a glance
Country
Portugal
Final beneficiary type
Individual farmers
Budget range
< €20 000
Start date:
02/05/2008
End Date:
31/12/2013
Theme / Measure:
Environment and Sustainable Resource Management
Sustainable use of forestry land
225. Forest-environment payments
Keywords:
Forest ecosystem, Public-private-partnership, Biodiversity, Land use planning, Natura 2000
Last update
11/11/2011