Location of the Pilot Site
The pilot action takes place in the municipality of Mértola, in the Alentejo region, an area characterised by agroforestry systems of high ecological value and particularly vulnerable to the increasing risk of wildfires associated with climate change. The action is led by the Associação para o Estudo e Defesa do Património Natural e Cultural do Concelho de Mértola (ADPM-Mértola).
Description of Planned Actions
The pilot involves the implementation of wildfire prevention and control measures aimed at improving the resilience of agroforestry habitats. Activities focus on promoting plant biodiversity and the natural regeneration of stands, reducing surface soil erosion, and enhancing forest management without major land disturbance. Additionally, the initiative will promote the use of proven tools and techniques to train and empower forest owners in more sustainable and adaptive management.
Expected Results and Applications
The measures are expected to help reduce wildfire risk and biodiversity loss while strengthening the ecological and socio-economic resilience of the area. The pilot aims to demonstrate that effective forest management can reconcile ecosystem conservation with the maintenance and development of forest-related income sources, serving as a reference for other agroforestry areas in southern Portugal.
