Short description of the best practice

In the 1950s the mountainous area of Calabria was characterized by subsistence farming. This activity use land often in slope that was affected by erosion and hydrogeological problems. Soil degradation was mitigated with wide reforestation with Pinus nigra subsp. laricio Poiret. It's been used Pinus nigra subsp. laricio Poiret  for its rusticity. It grows easily in soils of different nature and origin, often superficial and infertile. It is considered autochthonous in Calabria, too.

Location

River basin Arente, Cosenza, Calabria|

If the location has well defined boundaries, specify its extension in hectares:

153000.0

Estimated population living in the location:

70000.0

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

The areas of intervention were very large surfaces characterized by soils, derived from different geological formations (Granites, shale, sandstone rocks, conglomerates, carbonate rocks), on very steep slopes and heavily eroded following the destruction of the forest.
Mountain  area

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

Land tenure is both public and private
Calabria region GDP per capita 15000 €

On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?

The practice was considered as 'best' on the basis of the analysis of the efficacy, efficiency, effectiveness of the practice.
The indicators of effecacy of the implementation of the pinewoods are: the reduction of water erosion of the soil, increase the thickness of the soil and content of organic matter (C-sink), the creation or preservation of habitats favourable to the development of spontaneous plants and animals, the availability of forest products (biomass in particular) and secondary forest products such as mushrooms, etc.
An indicator of efficiency of afforestation are the use of abundant financing received through various special laws for Calabria.
Interventions in the 1950s in the basin of Arente were realized in a perspective of long-term development and today, more than fifty years, you collect the fruits in environmental terms (soil conservation, landscape, absorption of CO2).

Main problems addressed by the best practice

Water erosion of the soil|Hydrogeological risk|

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

Conservation of biodiversity.
Prevention of forest fire.

Specify the objectives of the best practice

Reforestation of degraded land.

Short description and technical specifications of the technology

Reforestation of degraded land.

Was the technology developed in partnership?

No

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

• Local initiative

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Yes

List local stakeholders involved:

University researchers|forestry workers and State Foresters|Institutions|Entrepreneurs

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

University researchers have conducted scientific research on the effecacy of afforestation in order to soil conservation and protection.
Forestry workers have realized the reforestation.
State Foresters have played the role of design and work supervision  in the field of forestry.
Institutions: at the beginning the municipalities merely give in granting a portion of its territory to forestry holding to get in return that a proportion of the population was hired as a forestry worker. Following municipalities have begun to require the return of land to manage independently the stands now ripe.
Entrepreneurs: the owners and operators of biomass power plants use lumber obtained from reforestation carried out more than fifty years ago.

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

Yes

Specify:

Environmental organisations have played awareness activities of the local population to issues of the environment and sustainable management of natural resources.

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

Valorisation of biomass produced from wood by sale on the market for renewable energy.
Development of economic activities and work opportunities linked to tourism and to forestry management.
Reforestation has caused the development of biomass that in the past it was destroyed by degradation factors suc as water erosion and hydreological risk.
Reconstitution of canopy ensures the protection of soil against erosion and hydrogeological risk.

Impact on biodiversity and climate change

Explain the reasons:

The presence of a canopy  mitigates the impact of precipitation on soil.
The practice itself is a tool of conservation of biodiversity.
Reforestation is a carbon sink

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

No

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

No

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Yes

Specify which type of incentives:

• Financial incentives (for example, preferential rates, State aid, subsidies, cash grants, loan guarantees, etc)

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

Efficacy of the Woods made in mitigation of hydrogeological risk and erosion.
High productivity of forests of Pinus nigra subsp. laricio Poiret in the River basin Arente.
Will expressed by municipalities to manage autonomously and responsibly forests that fall into municipal property

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Yes

Related to financial aspects

Without the availability of funds through regional laws the population would leave the land.