1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Catastrophic shifts in drylands (EU-CASCADE)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Centro de Estudios Ambientales del Mediterraneo (CEAM) - Spain

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Generalitat Valenciana (GVA) - Spain

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

06/05/2013

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Through the declaration of Ayora to a forest intervention area (ZAU) and the implementation of the pilot project of the PSP, a preventive silviculture was promoted through the establishment of a firebreak network.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: Forest fire is the main degradation driver in Ayora. In the article 24 of the forest law 3/1993 the declaration of special areas to forest intervention areas, so-called “Zonas de Actuación Urgente (ZAU)” through the regional government of Valencia is defined. Objectives are the protection against natural hazards and the promotion of conservation/restoration within a area which is degraded, affected by a forest fire (and natural regeneration is not probable), adverse climatic conditions, pests, severe ecological change, or fauna or flora of special value. If the use of the resources is not compatible with the conservation objectives within a ZAU, the administration has the right to enforce restrictions. The Ayora region was declared to a ZAU in 1997 due to its high risk of fires. In the “Plan de Selvicultura Preventiva de Incendios en los Sistemas Forestales (PSP)” (“plan of preventive silviculture to prevent forest fires”) which became operative in 1996 and whose main objective is the reduction of the fire risk, the ZAU was practically addressed for the first time in the establishment of a firebreak network (áreas cortafuegos). The PSP constitutes an important part of the “plan de protección contra incendios forestales” (“plan of protection against forest fires”) and has the following main objectives: The analysis/mapping of historic forest fires in Valencia (1984-1994) to support decision-making in silvicultural issues, the classification of the forest by quality and fire risk to establish local/regional plans to prevent fires (through silvicultural actions), selection of areas (province level) for the establishment of pilot projects (to apply silvicultural actions), decision on periodic investment and level of employment.

Methods: Within the PSP, 4 pilot projects were initiated in Los Serranos (17‘470 ha), Utiel-Requena (20’966 ha), Valle de Ayora-Cofrentes (33’851 ha) and Sierra de Mariola (11’574 ha) to promote a preventive silviculture which aims in modifying the amount of fuel in the forest through the establishment of a firebreak network and to limit the burnt area. The pilot areas were selected (in collaboration with the forest administration of Valencia) by the following criteria: representativity for the whole province, high value for the population, high potential risk of fire. In T_SPA009en the pilot project of Ayora-Cofrentes (Cofrentes, Jalance, Jarafuel, Zarra, Ayora) is described in detail and this approach focuses on the Ayora site as well. The firebreak network was established between 1998 and 2002, carried out by the company VAERSA and executed on both public and private land. Since the old firebreaks (established before the project) had a strong visual and ecological impact, the PSP designed a new type called “área cortafuego”. The continuous maintenance of the firebreaks is required which is also included in the pilot project. The total area protected by the firebreak network amounts to 33’851 ha while the management measures were executed on 1944,81 ha. The costs of the execution were 1312 Euro per ha, the maintenance 82.03 Euro per ha (all 2 years) and 31.37 Euro per ha (all 4 years).

Stages of implementation: After the establishment of the PSP (1996) and the declaration of Ayora to a ZAU (1997) the implementation of the pilot project was realized in the following phases: 1) splitting up of the territory based on the quality and the potential risk (using maps and aerial pictures), 2) field work (to examine the first draft of the firebreak network elaborated in the office), 3) office work (digitizing), 4) final map, 5) estimation of costs, 6) combination of firebreak plan with the cadastral land register.

Role of stakeholders: The PSP, the ZAU and the pilot projects were set up by the regional government of Valencia, in collaboration with the forest services. The PSP is put into operation each year by the forest services to plan the maintenance of the firebreak network. The effect on the local population is the creation of jobs in forest management.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused mainly on SLM with other activities (analysis/mapping of historic fires to support decision-making in silvicultural issues, classification of forest systems by quality and fire risk to prioritise actions and establish local/regional plans)

Research on historic fires to support decision-making in silvicultural practices, fire risk reduction, reducing the burnt area through splitting up the forest, improvement of fire prevention and extinction measures (e.g. improvement of access for fire-fighting vehicles and protection of fire fighters), establish local/regional plans to prevent fires (through silvicultural actions), promote conservation of the forest on a large scale

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: High amount of continuous fuel due to lack of management which increases the risk of vast and devastating fires, lack of fire prevention and extinction measures, ecological and visual impact of old firebreaks.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	none	By government of Valencia
planning	none	By government of Valencia
implementation	external support	local people working in the execution and maintenance of the firebreak network, led by forest agents and forest engineers of the government of Valencia
monitoring/ evaluation	none	By government of Valencia
Research	none	By government of Valencia

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Were decisions on the selection of the Technology(ies) made:

• Politicians in collaboration with SLM specialists

Explain:

The PSP, the ZAU and the pilot projects (firebreak network) were set up by the regional government of Valencia, in collaboration with the forest services (which also include SLM specialists)

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by Politicians in collaboration with SLM specialists

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

Form of training:

• on-the-job

Subjects covered:

Training of local people in the use of machinery in forest management (execution and maintenance of firebreaks)

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• at permanent centres

Describe/ comments:

Advisory service is quite adequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; The maintenance of the pilot projects is included in the PSP and is planned and executed by the government of Valencia. Already three maintenance projects followed after the execution of the pilot projects (2000-2004, 2004-2008, 2008-2012). Future funding of activities is not clear.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

technical aspects were regular monitored by project staff, government through observations; indicators: Observations of built-up of fuel to decide when and where maintenance is required

There were no changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: None

There were few changes in the Technology as a result of monitoring and evaluation: The technology is the same since the execution of the project but maintenance (e.g. clearing of firebreaks) is applied. Some more firebreaks were established where it was still required and not covered by the pilot project.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• economics / marketing
• ecology
• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

analysis/mapping of historic forest fires in Valencia (1984-1994) to support decision-making in silvicultural practices, classification of the forest by quality and fire risk, research on causes of forest fires

Research was carried out both on station and on-farm

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 100,000-1,000,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: government (government of Valencia ): 100.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

state (government of Valencia)

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• equipment

• infrastructure

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• paid in cash

Comments:

execution and maintenance of firebreak network (forest management)

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• no

If no or uncertain, specify and comment:

The maintenance is expensive and has to be financed by the state. Furthermore, forest services need to provide technical assistance.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Before the implementation of the pilot projects of the PSP there was a lack of money and no institutional base. The pilot project allowed to establish a firebreak network (fully financed by the government of Valencia) (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: The government should sustain its investment in forest management. )
The maintenance of the firebreak network is included in the PSP. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: The government should sustain its investment in forest management.)
The firebreak network facilitates the access for fire fighters (and vehicles) and guarantees a higher security for people, thus increasing the possibility to control/slow down a fire. By arranging the territory in different parcels (firebreaks of first, second and third order) the spread of large forest fires is less probable (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: The maintenance of firebreaks is crucial. Furthermore, there must be a good coordination and organisation within the fire fighter staff in case of an emergency)
There are also firebreaks which were not established within the pilot project but due to a request of forest agents. The project was important to upscale this technology and to get people’s attention for the problem of forest fires. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Public awareness raising. )
There are both social and economic benefits for local people. The establishment and the maintenance of firebreaks provide jobs for rural people, which allows them to increase their livelihood conditions. People do not depend on unemployment payments and are therefore more accepted in society. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: The government should sustain its investment in forest management and include the local population)

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Firebreaks do mainly work in fire extinction and less in fire prevention	Investigation of other management practices and approaches. An integrative way of forest management could be the clearing of fire-prone species and the planting of more fire-resistant species as suggested by CEAM.
Little involvement of the local population. The projects were designed by the government without including local land users	Include local land users in the planning of forest management. Work in a transdisciplinary way.
Land users cannot continue the SLM approach/ technology on their own. The maintenance is expensive and has to be financed by the state. Once the government will not continue paying the maintenance of the firebreaks the technology will probably not be managed anymore. Furthermore, forest services need to provide technical assistance	The government should sustain its investment in forest management. More trainings could be provided to local land users by the government of Valencia

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Plan de selvicultura preventiva, laws, fire prevention plans, ...

Available from where? Costs?

Conselleria de infraestructura, territorio y medio ambiente de la Generalitat Valenciana www.cma.gva.es and http://www.112cv.com/prevencion/guatlla30/web-2520exportar/indice.aspx@nodo=206&idioma=c.htm