The MED-Foreste project was initiated out of a desire to take action at Franco-Italian cross-border scale to meet the common challenge of preventing the risk of forest fires. The Franco-Italian cooperation area is one of the main tourist destinations in Europe, due to its natural and cultural heritage, which must be preserved.
In the context of climate change, defining new preventive actions will make it possible to act on the causes of fires, by making forests more fire-resistant. The project aims to improve the capacity of public institutions to anticipate and manage fire risks by experimenting with, implementing and comparing various sustainable fire prevention measures.
Slideshow:
- For adaptation to climate changes : Evaluate the feasibility, impact and benefits of setting up
sylvopasture systems with grazing donkeys to replace or complement mechanical scrub clearance
operations on combustible biomass.
- For biodiversity : Reduce pressure on the environment with an input of organic matter to the soil
The Port-Cros National Park’s participation in the MED-Foreste project enables it to reconcile fire prevention actions and maintain biodiversity. Its actions within the project include the following:
• The implementation of an experimental test of "eco-clearing" using sylvopasture with grazing donkeys, in areas of the park that are particularly vulnerable to the risk of fire (containment zone on the island of Porquerolles, Cap Lardier at La Croix-Valmer, affected by a major fire in 2017). Forest sample plots were set up to assess the combustible biomass after the donkey grazing.
• The implementation of work access schemes to strengthen scrub clearance (around DFCI trails, backshore pinewoods, etc.) and the fight against invasive alien pyrophyte species (mimosa, prickly pear, Japanese honeysuckle). The aim of this work is to demonstrate the effectiveness and benefits of scrub clearance using grazing, which is more sustainable and environmentally friendly than the usual techniques (mechanical, controlled burning, etc.).
BENEFITS REGARDING TARGETED ADAPTATION ISSUES
• Protection against forest fires over approximately 4ha
BENEFITS FOR BIODIVERSITY
• Protection and development of fauna and flora of open environments;
• Protection of the soil.
- Developing climate change adaptation; improving risk management and resilience
- Restoring ecosystems and their functions
Levers for success :
- Technical skills : implementing the experimental sylvopasture - test requires good knowledge of
Mediterranean flora and the risk of forest fires, as well as mapping skills.
- Funding : this is a major lever, as it has enabled the hiring of a project manager dedicated to this
project.
- European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): 85 %
- Port-Cros National Park: 15 %
Total budget : 242 631 €
Serantoni Eric
Port-Cros National Park
eric.serantoni@portcros-parcnational.fr
Further information
•
A decision-support manual for elected representatives and forest
managers (to come)
Press releases and posts on social networks will be produced
throughout the project to publicise these initiatives.