The irrigation network that ensures the recovery and survival of tree species that resisted the 2021 fire, as well as those that were planted in the actions of the Reforestation Project of the Degraded Area of Eira-da-Zorra – PRADE, from GuadiMonte Agricultural Cooperative, is already being built.
Although these are indigenous species, resilient and tolerant of dry environments, such as the carob tree, strawberry tree, cork oak and holm oak, there is another scourge that conditions the revitalization of these 34 hectares of the Odeleite mountain range: drought.
“With the impact of climate change, with increases in temperature and reduced periods of rain, the soils do not guarantee the survival of these species, which are traditionally rainfed”, highlights the vice-president of the Municipality of Castro Marim.
Filomena Sintra highlights that “a more hypostyle vision and action is necessary, requiring adjustments to their policies from licensing and financing entities”.
To support the irrigation network, an underground collection was authorized for the area in question, with a favorable opinion from the Portuguese Environment Agency and the Municipality.
The construction of this irrigation network represents an investment of around 150.000 euros, being one of the several interventions foreseen by PRADE to fulfill its greatest purpose, which is the fight against desertification.
PRADE represents a total investment of 896.036,13 euros (eligible investment of 810.941,41 euros) being financed by the COMPETE 2020 Program, within the scope of Notice 13/REACT/2021, supported by Portugal and the European Union, co-financed 100% by the FEDER .
As a project based on several partnerships, PRADE represents a set of multidisciplinary approaches, which also include the improvement of the network of rural paths, by the Municipality of Castro Marim, or the carrying out of trials, species monitoring and germination/survival tests, from the University of Algarve.
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