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Tecnologías
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Selective forest clearing to prevent large forest fires [España]

Clareo selectivo para la prevención de incendios (tratamientos selvícolas) (Spanish)

technologies_1586 - España

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1. Información general

1.2 Detalles de contacto de las personas de referencia e instituciones involucradas en la evaluación y la documentación de la Tecnología

Persona(s) de referencia clave

Especialista MST:
Especialista MST:

Valdecantos Alejandro

Fundación Centro de Estudios Ambientales del Mediterráneo (CEAM)

España

Nombre del proyecto que financió la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)
Catastrophic shifts in drylands (EU-CASCADE)
Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)
Centro de Estudios Ambientales del Mediterraneo (CEAM) - España

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

El compilador y la/s persona(s) de referencia claves aceptan las condiciones acerca del uso de los datos documentados mediante WOCAT:

1.4 Declaración de la sostenibilidad de la Tecnología descrita

¿La Tecnología aquí descrita resulta problemática en relación a la degradación de la tierra, de tal forma que no puede considerársela una tecnología sostenible para el manejo de la tierra?

No

2. Descripción de la Tecnología MST

2.1 Breve descripción de la Tecnología

Definición de la Tecnología:

Selective forest clearing aims in reducing the connectivity and the amount of (dead standing) fuel, as well as reducing the competition between regenerating pines, in order to prevent forest fires and to ensure the growth of a healthy forest.

2.2 Descripción detallada de la Tecnología

Descripción:

The forests in the Ayora region experienced a huge disturbance in the past, such as deforestations, removal of key species, land abandonment, dense growth of fire-prone seeder species (high continuity of dead standing fuel), missing management, wildfires and dense afforestations. These disturbances resulted in the degradation of the vegetation, the reduction of the resilience of the ecosystem against fires and thus an increasing risk of wildfires. After fires, many landscapes regenerated with a high and continuous fuel accumulation with few native resprouter species, which made it extremely difficult to control forest fires. The dense growth not only increased the risk of wildfires but also the competition between different species (nutrients, light, space). Therefore appropriate vegetation management to increase the resilience of the ecosystem to fires and to reduce competition is crucial.

These problems are approached by selective forest clearing. The main purposes of thinning dense pine forests are the prevention of fires by reducing the fuel load and its continuity, and to improve pine regeneration by eliminating the competition between different species. As a result, the quality of the plants is improved and the amount of dead or sick plants is reduced, which is essential to ensure a healthy forest. This also leads to a higher resistance to pests which in turn again decreases the risk of fire (less dead plants). Vegetation removal produces fresh vegetation growth, therefore more diverse and nutritious fodder is provided to animals (game and livestock) in the cleared areas which is a benefit for herders. Also wild animals use this fodder supply which in turn hinders them to destroy cultivated fields of the farmers. Furthermore, honey producers make use of the enhanced growth of shrubs and the additional space created by selective clearing to place their beehives and to increase honey production.
Especially during the current economic crisis forest management is an important source for jobs - most of the workers were unemployed before working in the selective clearing. Through the clearings, fuelwood is gained and offered to retired people for free for cooking and heating, allowing them to save money. Additionally, almost all villagers like to have a cleared forest due to its high aesthetic and recreational value.

In order to be selective and to preserve desired species, the clearing is done with small machines such as brushcutters and chainsaws. On average the forest is thinned until reaching a density of 800-1200 trees/ha. Species such as Juniperus, Rhamnus al., Quercus rotundifolia, Quercus faginea or Fraxinus ornus are not removed which increases the probability to have a more fire-resistant vegetation composition in future. Dead or sick plants and also a part of fire-prone shrubs such as Ulex parv. and Cistus alb. are removed. If there are both Pinus pinaster and Pinus halepensis. Pinus halepensis is cleared because they compete with each other. The roots are not removed which ensures the stability and productivity of the soil. The remaining species are pruned (“poda”) until a maximum height of 2.5m to improve the conditions of the species. Around each tree they should clear an area of 2m.
After felling trees and shrubs a part of the residues is chipped in-situ and covers the soil as mulch, which results in ecological benefits (e.g. increase in soil moisture, prevention from erosion, enhancement of nutrient cycling, reduction of the soil surface temperature).
If the slope is steep, it takes more time to do the clearing and it might also increase the risk of erosion afterwards. Under the best conditions (e.g. good access and terrain), 0.8ha per day are cleared (calculated for a group of 9 persons working 7 hours). In this case the costs are paid by the municipal council, which receives a part of the money from the rental fee paid by the wind mill company. The cleared areas have to be maintained depending on the speed of the vegetation growth (which amongst others depends on the soil, slope and humidity). If the clearings are done regularly, it takes less time and it is cheaper than the first clearing. It should be noted that recurrent maintenance is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of the technology.

The region of Ayora is mountainous with a dry subhumid climate (~380 mm annual rainfall). The risk of fire incidence is at its highest from June to September when there are adverse conditions like drought, high temperatures and strong winds (mainly the winds coming from central Spain, called “poniente”). The population density is very low and there are only few job opportunities (e.g. marginal agriculture, grazing, hunting, beekeeping). Most of the inhabitants work in the nuclear power plant. Forest management could be a source for jobs.

2.3 Fotografías de la Tecnología

2.5 País/ región/ lugares donde la Tecnología fue aplicada y que se hallan comprendidos por esta evaluación

País:

España

Región/ Estado/ Provincia:

Spain, Valencia

Especifique más el lugar :

Ayora/Jarafuel

Especifique la difusión de la Tecnología:
  • distribuida parejamente sobre un área
Si se desconoce el área precisa, indique el área aproximada cubierta:
  • 0.1-1 km2
Comentarios:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.5 km2.
The forest agent told me that during this project they are clearing some 50 ha of forest. But in total (including the clearings in the past) they cleared more than 1000 ha in Jarafuel.

2.6 Fecha de la implementación

Si no se conoce el año preciso, indique la fecha aproximada:
  • hace menos de 10 años (recientemente)

2.7 Introducción de la Tecnología

Especifique cómo se introdujo la Tecnología:
  • mediante proyectos/ intervenciones externas
Comentarios (tipo de proyecto, etc.):

The clearings documented here were done in the years 2012 and 2013, mandated by the state and executed by the municipal council of Jarafuel. But already in 1990 clearings (with machines) were applied. At that time they were called “ayuda regeneración” which means regeneration help.

3. Clasificación de la Tecnología MST

3.1 Propósito(s) principal(es) de la Tecnología MST

  • reducir el riesgo de desastres naturales

3.2 Tipo(s) actuales de uso de la tierra donde se aplica la Tecnología

Bosques

Bosques

  • Bosques/ zonas boscosas (semi) naturales
Tipo de árbol:
  • Especies de Pinus (pino)
Productos y servicios:
  • Madera
  • Leña
  • Frutos y nueces
  • Otros productos forestales
  • Pastoreo/ ramoneo
  • Conservación/ Protección de la naturaleza
  • Recreación/ turismo
  • Protección contra desastres naturales
  • wind mill parc, hunting
Comentarios:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): The prevalent dense shrublands (dominated by seeder species), which resulted from past agricultural land use (changes of the vegetation composition, e.g. removal of key species), land abandonment/rural depopulation and fire occurrence, contain a high fire risk because of both the high fuel loads and their continuity. Also dense forests (either afforestations or natural regeneration) show a high risk for fires. Through the modifications of the vegetation composition in the past (removal of more fire resistant resprouter species, whereas fire-prone seeder species are abundant), the resilience of the ecosystem to fires has decreased. Today a higher fire recurrence can be observed which could still be worsen by future climate change impacts, undermining more and more the ecosystem’s capacity to buffer such shocks. Furthermore, the high density of the forest results in a competition between different species which increases the amount of dead or thin material.
Selective felling of (semi-) natural forests: As a management practice. The forest should be cleared more frequently since there is a huge amount of fuel.
Plantation forestry: Almost the whole forest in this region was planted.

Trees/ shrubs species: Trees and shrubs are cleared (e.g. Ulex parviflorus, Cistus albidus, some pines)
Other species: Not removed species: e.g. Juniperus, Rhamnus alaternus, Quercus rotundifolia, Quercus faginea

3.3 ¿Cambió el uso de tierras debido a la implementación de la Tecnología?

¿Cambió el uso de tierras debido a la implementación de la Tecnología?
  • Sí (Por favor responda las preguntas de abajo referidas al uso de la tierra antes de implementar la Tecnología)
Mezcla de tipos de uso de tierras dentro de la misma unidad de tierras: :

No

Bosques

Bosques

  • Bosques/ zonas boscosas (semi) naturales
Bosques/ zonas boscosas (semi-) naturales: Especifique tipo de manejo:
  • Tala selectiva

3.5 Grupo MST al que pertenece la Tecnología

  • reducción de riesgos de desastres basados en el ecosistema

3.6 Medidas MST que componen la Tecnología

medidas vegetativas

medidas vegetativas

  • V3: Desbroce de vegetación

3.7 Principales tipos de degradación del suelo encarados con la Tecnología

degradación biológica

degradación biológica

  • Bh: pérdida de hábitats
  • Bf: efectos nocivos de los fuegos
  • Bs: reducción en la calidad y composición/ diversidad de las especies
  • Bp: incremento de pestes/ enfermedades, pérdida de depredadores
Comentarios:

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (Deforestation in the past (removal of resprouter species), land abandonment, uncontrolled growth of fire prone vegetation, afforestations, forest fires), population pressure (Vast areas were deforested in the past for agriculture, important key species were removed. After land abandonment there was a lack of management strategies.), poverty / wealth (The current economic crisis in Spain leads to a lack of investment in forest management, therefore only a minor part of forests is managed by selective clearing.), labour availability (In the past there was outmigration from the region to the big cities and therefore there was a lack of management.)
Secondary causes of degradation: change of seasonal rainfall (More variability in precipitation leads to a higher risk of fires.), droughts (more fires during droughts), land tenure (The state is only allowed to apply management practices in public forest. The private forest is often not managed which increases the risk of fires and the resulting degradation.), inputs and infrastructure: (roads, markets, distribution of water points, other, …) (There were big fires in the past because of the lack of fire extinction media like water ponds, streets, transport media (this has been improved now).), education, access to knowledge and support services (Loss of knowledge, important for today’s fires: People (especially from the cities) are not aware anymore of the risk of fire. In the past people lived with the risk and knew how to prevent fires.), governance / institutional (Law to induce implementation of conservation interventions (ley forestal 3/1993) and “plan de selvicultura preventiva de incendios en los sistemas forestales de Valencia (1996)”. Before less practices)

3.8 Prevención, reducción o restauración de la degradación del suelo

Especifique la meta de la Tecnología con relación a la degradación de la tierra:
  • prevenir la degradación del suelo
  • reducir la degradación del suelo

4. Especificaciones técnicas, actividades de implementación, insumos y costos

4.1 Dibujo técnico de la Tecnología

Especificaciones técnicas (relacionadas al dibujo técnico):

The main purposes of thinning dense forests (some 50’000 individuals per ha) are the prevention of fires by reducing the fuel load and its continuity (both vertical and horizontal), and to improve regeneration by eliminating the competition between different species. On average the forest is thinned until reaching a density of 800-1200 trees/ha. Species such as Juniperus, Rhamnus al., Quercus rotundifolia, Quercus faginea or Fraxinus ornus are not removed which increases the probability to have a more fire-resistant vegetation composition in future. Dead or sick plants and also a part of fire-prone shrubs such as Ulex parv. and Cistus alb. are removed.
The remaining species are pruned (“poda”) until a maximum height of 2.5m to improve the conditions of the species. Around each tree they should clear an area of at least 2m but ideally there should be a distance of 6m between different individuals.
After felling trees and shrubs a part of the residues is chipped in-situ and covers the soil as mulch, which results in ecological benefits and provides fodder to livestock and game.

Location: Ayora/Jarafuel. Valencia, Spain
Date: 08-12-2013

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high (The forest agent needs a high technical knowledge. He acts as a link between engineer and forest brigade and controls if the brigade executes what the engineer dictates. He also provides assistance.)
Technical knowledge required for forest engineer: high (The forest engineer works for the state and plans the clearing project, therefore he needs a high technical knowledge.)
Technical knowledge required for forest workers/brigade: low (The forest workers only execute what the engineer and the forest agent tell them. They need to know how to handle the machines but don’t have to judge which trees and shrubs need to be cleared.)

Main technical functions: control of fires, reduction of dry material (fuel for wildfires), reduction of fire-prone species
Secondary technical functions: control of raindrop splash, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase / maintain water stored in soil, promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)

Vegetative measure: selective vegetation clearing
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Trees/ shrubs species: Trees and shrubs are cleared (e.g. Ulex parviflorus, Cistus albidus, some pines)
Other species: Not removed species: e.g. Juniperus, Rhamnus alaternus, Quercus rotundifolia, Quercus faginea,

Autor:

Nina Lauterburg

4.2 Información general sobre el cálculo de insumos y costos

otra / moneda nacional (especifique):

Euro

Si fuera relevante, indique la tasa de cambio de dólares americanos a la moneda local (ej. 1 U$ = 79.9 Reales Brasileros): 1 U$ =:

0,74

Indique el costo promedio del salario de trabajo contratado por día:

47.00

4.3 Actividades de establecimiento

Actividad Momento (estación)
1. Cutting and chipping (in-situ) of trees and shrubs (selective clearing) autumn/winter, in this case late spring (end of may)
2. Transport of wood (fuel wood) after clearing

4.4 Costos e insumos necesarios para el establecimiento

Especifique insumo Unidad Cantidad Costos por unidad Costos totales por insumo % de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Mano de obra labour ha 1,0 404,0 404,0
Equipo machine use ha 1,0 2024,0 2024,0
Costos totales para establecer la Tecnología 2428,0
Costos totales para establecer la Tecnología en USD 3281,08

4.5 Actividades de establecimiento/ recurrentes

Actividad Momento/ frequencia
1. Cutting and chipping (in-situ) of trees and shrubs (selective clearing) autumn/winter, in this case late spring (end of may)
2. Transport of wood (fuelwood) after clearing

4.6 Costos e insumos necesarios para actividades de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (por año)

Especifique insumo Unidad Cantidad Costos por unidad Costos totales por insumo % de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Equipo machine use ha 1,0 446,0 446,0
Indique los costos totales para mantenecer la Tecnología 446,0
Costos totales para mantener la Tecnología en USD 602,7
Comentarios:

Machinery/ tools: brushcutters, chainsaws, tractors
The costs were calculated for the application of the technology (selective clearing) on one hectare. In this case, 9 people are working as a team. If the site is accessible and if the terrain is good for clearing work they can clear 0.8 ha per day. It should be noted that clearing with small machines such as brushcutters and chainsaws is much more expensive than clearing with tractors, but often it is only possible to clear with small machines (e.g. removal of trees is not possible with tractors). A tractor costs more or less 500 Euro per ha (674 Dollar per ha). A clearing of a pine forest with manual machines costs around 1800 Euro per ha (2428 Dollar per ha). The costs of the maintenance activities (e.g. second clearing) are much lower because the area was cleared already some years before. Therefore more ha per day can be cleared.
In Jarafuel, a part of the costs are covered by the rental fee paid by the windmill company.
The currency rate (Euro-Dollar) was calculated on November 16th, 2013.

4.7 Factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Describa los factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

The costs of selective forest clearing can be affected by numerous factors, such as slope (if the slope is steep, the work is much more difficult and takes more time), vegetation density (it takes more time to clear a dense area) and vegetation type (pine forest or shrubland), distance from a street (people can work less in a day if they have to walk far to clear). Important to note is that maintenance costs could increase with an increase in rainfall because the vegetation will grow faster.

5. Entorno natural y humano

5.1 Clima

Lluvia anual
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Especificaciones/ comentarios sobre la cantidad de lluvia:

Ayora, Jarafuel (Ayora: 383mm)

Zona agroclimática
  • Sub-húmeda

Thermal climate class: temperate

5.2 Topografía

Pendientes en promedio:
  • plana (0-2 %)
  • ligera (3-5%)
  • moderada (6-10%)
  • ondulada (11-15%)
  • accidentada (16-30%)
  • empinada (31-60%)
  • muy empinada (>60%)
Formaciones telúricas:
  • meseta/ planicies
  • cordilleras
  • laderas montañosas
  • laderas de cerro
  • pies de monte
  • fondo del valle
Zona altitudinal:
  • 0-100 m s.n.m.
  • 101-500 m s.n.m.
  • 501-1,000 m s.n.m
  • 1,001-1,500 m s.n.m
  • 1,501-2,000 m s.n.m
  • 2,001-2,500 m s.n.m
  • 2,501-3,000 m s.n.m
  • 3,001-4,000 m s.n.m
  • > 4,000 m s.n.m

5.3 Suelos

Profundidad promedio del suelo:
  • muy superficial (0-20 cm)
  • superficial (21-50 cm)
  • moderadamente profunda (51-80 cm)
  • profunda (81-120 cm)
  • muy profunda (>120 cm)
Textura del suelo (capa arable):
  • fina/ pesada (arcilla)
Materia orgánica de capa arable:
  • media (1-3%)

5.4 Disponibilidad y calidad de agua

Agua subterránea:

> 50 m

Disponibilidad de aguas superficiales:

pobre/ ninguna

Calidad de agua (sin tratar):

agua potable de buena calidad

5.5 Biodiversidad

Diversidad de especies:
  • mediana

5.6 Las características de los usuarios de la tierra que aplican la Tecnología

Orientación del mercado del sistema de producción:
  • mixta (subsistencia/ comercial)
Individuos o grupos:
  • empleado (compañía, gobierno)
Género:
  • hombres
Indique otras características relevantes de los usuarios de las tierras:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Difference in the involvement of women and men: Yes, the work is mainly done by men, because it is heavy work and it is not usual that women are working in the forest.
Population density: < 10 persons/km2
Annual population growth: negative
Off-farm income specification: The forest brigade is only working when there is money and a project. If there is no money they have no work and need to look for another job.

5.8 Tenencia de tierra, uso de tierra y derechos de uso de agua

Tenencia de tierra:
  • estado
  • individual, con título
Derechos de uso de tierra:
  • individual
  • public/open access but organised (e.g. wood, hunting)
  • public/open access but organised (e.g. wood, hunting)
Comentarios:

There is some public land, controlled by the state. But there is also some private land. The access to the public land is open but organized. Permission is needed from the government to cut trees, to build a house or to hunt. There are some private hunting areas for which the hunting association has to pay a fee.

6. Impactos y comentarios para concluir

6.1 Impactos in situ demostrados por la Tecnología

Impactos socioeconómicos

Producción

producción de forraje

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

Vegetation removal produces fresh growth. More grasses available for animals (game and livestock) in the cleared areas.

calidad de forraje

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

The new growth provides more diverse and nutritious fodder Animals (especially goats) eat everything but they like more young grasses than shrubs

producción animal

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

Game/wildlife and livestock are better because there is an increase in fodder quantity and quality

producción de madera

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

Production increases because there is less competition between species (nutrients,light,space). The wood/timber generated by the clearing can be used for biomass, fertilizers, pellets, firewood. A part of the wood is chipped in-situ and applied as mulch.

diversidad de producto

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

Honey (bees can fly better), hunting, wood/timber

área de producción

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

There are more opportunities to place the beehives

generación de energía

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

A part of the cleared vegetation is used for bioenergy (biomass).

Ingreso y costos

gastos en insumos agrícolas

incrementó
disminuyó
Comentarios/ especifique:

Less damage on the cultivated fields because the wild animals do not destroy the fields anymore and stay in the forest (because there is more grass available due to clearings).

ingreso agrario

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

A cleared forest has a higher value–e.g. a “finca” with an exclusive right for hunting earns more because there are more animals (more fodder), or because it is easier to shoot animals (less possibilities to hide). Each killed animal has to be paid.

carga de trabajo

incrementó
disminuyó
Comentarios/ especifique:

The establishment and the maintenance is expensive because the work has to be done manually (manual machines)

Otros impactos socioeconómicos

fuelwood

decreased
increased
Comentarios/ especifique:

Villagers of Jarafuel receive fuelwood gained by clearings for free (from municipal council).

job uncertainty

increased
decreased
Comentarios/ especifique:

If there is no money provided by the state the clearings cannot be executed. This constitutes a high risk for forest workers because they never know if they will loose their jobs

Impactos socioculturales

seguridad alimentaria/ autosuficiencia

disminuyó
mejoró
Comentarios/ especifique:

Forest workers earn money to buy food, otherwise they would depend on unemployment pay and thus put pressure on the state.

situación de salud

empeoró
mejoró
Comentarios/ especifique:

Improved air quality by reducing forest fires

oportunidades culturales

disminuyó
mejoró
Comentarios/ especifique:

People appreciate the visual impact of a cleared forest. It has a high aesthetic value and offers recreational opportunities.

oportunidades recreativas

disminuyó
mejoró
Comentarios/ especifique:

People appreciate the visual impact of a cleared forest. It has a high aesthetic value and offers recreational opportunities.

MST/ conocimiento de la degradación del suelo

disminuyó
mejoró
Comentarios/ especifique:

Local people know about the importance of conservation of the area and really like to have the forest protected of wildfires

mitigación de conflicto

empeoró
mejoró
Comentarios/ especifique:

Less fires result in a decrease of the destroyed area, less money will have to be invested in restoration or fire extinction. Farmers, hunters,honey producers will experience fewer losses. Wild animals remain in the forest (more grasses after clearing).

situación de grupos en desventaja social y económica

empeoró
mejoró
Comentarios/ especifique:

More jobs for unemployed, this is especially important during the current economic crisis

contribution to human well-being

decreased
increased
Comentarios/ especifique:

Through the clearings it is easier to control fires and protect people. Furthermore it created jobs for the unemployed. In general forest management is not something people want to do, they work in this sector only if there are no other job opportunities. Forest management means a hard job and this kind of work is not well-respected in society.

Impactos ecológicos

Ciclo de agua/ escurrimiento de sedimento

evaporación

incrementó
disminuyó
Comentarios/ especifique:

Due to the mulch layer more moisture is stored in the soil and less water is lost by evaporation (the soil is covered)

Suelo

humedad del suelo

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

More soil moisture because of less dense forest/shrubland and mulch cover after clearing

cubierta del suelo

disminuyó
mejoró
Comentarios/ especifique:

Mulch layer

encostramiento/ sellado de suelo

incrementó
disminuyó
Comentarios/ especifique:

Mulch layer protects the soil from crusting

ciclo/ recarga de nutrientes

disminuyó
incrementó

materia orgánica debajo del suelo C

disminuyó
incrementó
Biodiversidad: vegetación, animales

biomasa/ sobre suelo C

disminuyó
incrementó

diversidad vegetal

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

By clearing the competition between species is reduced but the forest agent told me that there are not more species, the same species grow again. But maybe there is more space for dispersal of seeds by birds.

diversidad animal

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

There might be more animals because of the fodder supply

control de pestes/ enfermedades

disminuyó
incrementó
Comentarios/ especifique:

Mono-plantations are bad for the propagation of a pest. After clearing there is a decrease in competition, plants are in healthier conditions,less prone to diseases.Weak plants are eliminated which reduces the risk of pests (always weak plants affected)

Reducción de riesgos de desastres y riesgos climáticos

emisión de carbono y gases de invernadero

incrementó
disminuyó
Comentarios/ especifique:

less emissions because there is less burnt vegetation

riesgo de incendio

incrementó
disminuyó
Comentarios/ especifique:

By clearing the forest the vertical and horizontal connectivity of the vegetation is interrupted and the amount of fuel is reduced.

6.2 Impactos fuera del sitio demostrados por la Tecnología

inundaciones río abajo

incrementó
disminuyó
Comentarios/ especifique:

When fire removes less vegetation then the soil is less prone to flooding

colmatación río abajo

incrementó
disminuyó
Comentarios/ especifique:

When fire removes less vegetation then the soil is less vulnerable to erosion

daños a infraestructura pública / privada

incrementó
disminuyó
Comentarios/ especifique:

Forest fire frequency and intensity and the associated damages are reduced

6.3 Exposición y sensibilidad de la Tecnología al cambio climático gradual y a extremos relacionados al clima/ desastres (desde la percepción de los usuarios de tierras)

Cambio climático gradual

Cambio climático gradual
Estación Incremento o reducción ¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
temperatura anual incrementó bien

Extremos (desastres) relacionados al clima

Desastres climatológicos:
¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
tormenta de lluvia local bien
tormenta de viento bien
Desastres climatológicos
¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
sequía bien
Desastres hidrológicos
¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
inundación general (río) bien

Otras consecuencias relacionadas al clima

Otras consecuencias relacionadas al clima
¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
periodo reducido de crecimiento no se sabe
Comentarios:

The technology was not modified but it is important to add some notes to the above stated reactions to climatic extremes. The cleared areas are quite resistant against climate change or weather extremes. Only if there will be more rainfall the vegetation might grow faster and the maintenance costs could increase.

6.4 Análisis costo-beneficio

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de establecimiento (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?
Ingresos a corto plazo:

muy positivo

Ingresos a largo plazo:

muy positivo

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?
Ingresos a corto plazo:

muy positivo

Ingresos a largo plazo:

muy positivo

Comentarios:

Both the short-term and the long-term benefits are very positive assuming that maintenance is done. It contributes to prevent devastating fires and to guarantee a healthy forest. Together with the creation of jobs, directly after clearing there is firewood and timber available and a reduced risk of wildfires. But it should also be considered that the establishment costs are high. If maintenance is not done the long-term returns will be very negative because an increase in the risk of fire will occur again (without management, there will also be no firewood, no timber and no jobs). The maintenance costs increase the longer you wait because the vegetation will grow again densely.

6.5 Adopción de la Tecnología

Comentarios:

Comments on acceptance with external material support: The clearing is financed by the state (indirectly the clearings are partly paid by the local wind mill company through their rental fee).
There is no trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Clearings are only done when the state has money. Selective clearing is also applied in other countries/regions, e.g. in California.

6.7 Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades de la Tecnología

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
There are both social and economic benefits for local people. The selective clearings provide jobs for rural people, which allows them to increase their livelihood conditions. People do not depend on unemployment pays and are therefore more accepted in society. A part of the extracted wood is used for biomass, fertilizers, pellets, or firewood. Furthermore there would be improved conditions for grazing. Therefore forest management contributes to rural development.
There are also off-site benefits. Fewer fires will result in a reduction of downstream flooding, downstream siltation and damage on neighbours’ fields. When fire removes less vegetation the soil is less vulnerable to erosion.
In Jarafuel where most of the land is public retired people receive the firewood gained by forest clearings for free. They can use the wood for cooking and heating and save a lot of money.
Almost all villagers like to see a cleared forest. It has a high aesthetic and recreational value (it is possible to walk through the forest). They are also aware that the risk of wildfires is reduced through this technology.
Shepherds, hunters and farmers benefit from forest clearings. Vegetation removal produces fresh vegetation growth, therefore more diverse and nutritious fodder is available for animals (game and livestock) in the cleared areas. Game/wildlife and livestock are better because there is an increase in fodder quantity and quality. Wild animals benefit from this food source which in turn hinders them to destroy cultivated fields of the farmers. Also honey producers benefit from the cleared areas since bees can fly better and there is more place to put the beehives, furthermore the growth of shrubs is enhanced.
Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
Through selective forest clearing the fuel amount and connectivity (vertical/horizontal) is reduced which is crucial for preventing the occurrence and spread of large forest fires.
There is a reduction of competition between plants which is essential to ensure a healthy forest (more nutrients, light, space). This also leads to a higher resistance against pests which in turn again decreases the fire risk (less dead or sick plants).
Fuel management through vegetation clearing presents some positive aspects with respect to other techniques, e.g. the possibility of being selective in order to preserve desired species or individuals. Furthermore, after felling trees and shrubs a part of the vegetation is chipped in-situ and covers the soil as mulch. This results in ecological benefits (e.g. increase in soil moisture, prevention from erosion, enhancement of nutrient cycling, reduction of the soil surface temperature and evaporation loss).
The trees/shrubs are cut but the roots are not removed. This ensures the stability and productivity of the soil.
Fewer fires result in a decrease of the destroyed area, less money will have to be invested in restoration or fire extinction. Furthermore, farmers, hunters and honey producers will experience fewer losses.

6.8 Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos de la Tecnología y formas de sobreponerse a ellos

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave ¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
The establishment and the maintenance activities are expensive and labour-intensive. Without management the technology is not effective anymore. It would be necessary to extract biomass from the forest to decrease the continuity of the trees and shrubs. In case of a lack of management the risk of fires increases. Management is crucial. Prevention measures are often less expensive than rehabilitation activities after a fire. The state should therefore invest more money in forest management and fire prevention. Managing the forest would not only decrease the risk of fire but also generate benefits (e.g. wood, biomass, fuelwood). Instead of getting unemployment pay people could get jobs in forest management. Stakeholders mentioned that it would be important to promote the forest as a sustainable economic resource and that the relation between the villagers and the forest should be enhanced. Furthermore it was mentioned that traditional activities (such as grazing, agriculture, wood gathering) should be reactivated and that the villagers should get economic compensation to maintain the forest in a good state. Especially the promotion of grazing was stressed many times. Also planting of more fire-resistant species (late successional stages) in some spots as suggested by CEAM could increase the resilience of the ecosystem and decrease management costs.
The clearing of forests has potential to prevent fires and therefore degradation. But there are also a lot of highly connected shrublands with a high fuel load which are not addressed by this management practice. Shrublands need to be cleared as well since they constitute a huge risk for wildfires.
If there is more space after clearing the first shrubs which will grow will be fire-prone early successional species, such as Cistus albidus and Ulex parviflorus. Without management, they will increase the risk of fires. Recurrent maintenance is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of the technology. Management through grazing could be a simple way to reduce the costs and the risk. By planting resprouter species really densely seeders would not grow anymore in those spots which would also decrease the fire risk and the management costs.
When the clearing is done on extremely steep slopes there might be an increase in erosion. Before clearing the soil erosion risk should be calculated.
In some areas there will be less shade which could harm some species.

7. Referencias y vínculos

7.1 Métodos/ fuentes de información

  • visitas de campo, encuestas de campo
  • entrevistas con usuarios de tierras
¿Cuándo se compilaron los datos (en el campo)?

11/05/2013

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