Plant For The P l a n e t , B r a z i l
J u l y 2 0 1 6
1 TREE PLANTING IN BRAZIL
CONTEXT AND KEY INFORMATION
PROJECT ACTIVITIES I N 2 0 1 6
NEXT STEPS
2 SUMMARY Environmental awareness and watercourse restoration
TYPE
Water conservation, Biodiversity and Education
LOCAL PARTNER
Nordesta Reforestation and Education Association
BENEFICIARIES
Landowners and civil society from the São Francisco river basin as well as other river basins
MAIN THEMES
- Restoration of riparian forests (forests lands adjacent to watercourses) initially located at the higher and medium high lands of the São Francisco river basin, now expanded to other river basins;
- Environmental awareness concerning the need to restore and preserve forests for water quality and quantity maintenance.
REACHED OBJECTIVES
449,812 trees planted from 2009 to 2016
« Casca d’Anta » waterfall at the Canastra National Park
3 LOCAL PARTNER “ N O R D E S TA Reflorestamento e E d u c a ç ã o ”
NORDESTA Reforestation and Education is a Swiss NGO created by the ornithologist Anita Studer in 1985 to preserve Brazilian tropical forests.
In 2005, Anita travelled to Minas Geras and that’s when she took the decision of creating a reforestation project at the highlands of the São Francisco river basin in Brazil.
During her travel, she met Neuza Falco Galvão who created the NORDESTA NGO at Arcos (MG) and at the same time, the nursery.
Since then, almost 500’000 trees were planted and thanks to that, the fauna and flora recovery is impressive. The presence of several animals amongst mammals, birds, reptiles and others healthy ecosystems indicators are observed. Add to that, compared to the project baseline, the region has clearly improved the water sources management.
Such areas are of keen interest to the recovery of the São Francisco river and for the conservation of the National Canastra Park. The São Francisco river is certainly one of the most symbolic and relevant brazilian rivers, as it runs through the semi-arid North-Est region.
In parallel to the field work, NORDESTA has an important role in spreading the word on natural resources conservation and awareness raising amongst the population surrounding the planting areas.
Through the years, thanks to the excellent work and the regional media broadcast of the project’s impacts, the organization has gained a regional legitimacy. At almost all levels - as presented in the graphic on the right - NORDESTA scores high, reaching a high level of quality and positive impacts.
4 MAIN OBJECTIVES Tw o k e y workstreams : planting and teaching
‒ Plant several native trees species adapted to the local ecosystems and micro-climate
‒ Contribute to conservation of essential resources as soil and water
‒ Contribute to farming improvement by providing local productive fruit trees BIODIVERSITY S U P P O R T & ‒ Support the restoration of Permanent Preservation Areas and in consequence the CONSERVATION enforcement of the Brazilian Forestry Code
‒ Contribute to the restoration of both private and public lands
‒ Increase resilience to climate change meanwhile reducing Greenhouse gases emissions
‒ Build awareness about natural resources conservation, notably the relevance of protecting water sources, soil and other vital resources
EDUCATION & ‒ Inform and build awareness amongst children and adults AWARENESS
‒ Provide the possibility for urban people and corporate staff to experiment the contact with nature by planting trees or others specific trainings as vegetable gardening in small places
5 RESTORING WATERCOURSES The starting point: São Francisco river basin, Minas G e r a i s
The reforestation activities started in the region of the High São Francisco river basin, the “Velho Chico” as the river is kindly called in Brazil. Its name comes from the fact that Américo Vespucio in 1501 arrived in the sources of the river at the patron saint’s Francisco day.
Afterwards the project activities were expanded to the medium Grande river basin. Those two important water capture regions are located in the South-Est and South of Minas Gerais state. For the next year, the project intends to include a third river basin: the Araguari, that together with Grande are two important tributaries of the Parana river.
Historically, the project area was submitted to intense soil exploitation (mining, extensive cattle raising), regardeless of the environmental sustainability. Today, the project activities have as an objective to revert such a trend, by promoting environmental awareness and natural resources management amongst landowners and closeby São communities. Francisco
River Basin Finally, the project contributes to a societal problem, that is the water quality and availability that is becoming critical in Brazil. In 2014 the city of São Paulo started to experiment important shortages and that situation is expected to increase in the years to follow because of climate change and population growth.
6 PARTICIPANTS Local farmers and landowners
Up to 55 landowners have already joined the project and benefited from tree planting.
Participants are mainly small to medium landowners or farmers (2 to 10 hectares) disposing of an average income of 340 USD/month or up to 1’020 USD/month respectively.
They join the project on a voluntary basis, mainly for the following reasons: erosion on their lands, to restore watersources, to increase their patrimony and the value of their lands (through eco-tourism, regeneration of watersources, landscape, etc).
With the programme they are also following the Brazilian Code, that requires to protect riparian areas with native trees species in order to conserve water resources.
7 THE CORNERSTONE The power of the example
Started in 2009, the project had a hard time in convincing landowners on the possibility of planting trees for conserving water resources and avoiding soil erosion. Landwoners were mistrustfull.
Besides, although the Forest Code in Brazil was one of the most advanced worldwide, the law never came completely into force. The areas identified to be restored are named APPs (Areas de Preservação Permanente, or Permanent Preservation Areas in English). According to the forestry code, recently changed, such areas should be protected and when possible reforested in order to protect watercourses.
Thanks to an impressive work on awareness raising, the first partner accepted to join the project, Mr. Whainne de Castro. His land (2,68 ha) is fullfiled with water sources, but was highly degradated because of the diamond mining and pasture. He herited the land from his parents and was willing to change the degradation trend previously undertaken by his family.
The great plantation results convinced the whole family on the relevance of conserving natural resources.
After this, his land became emblematic and was used as an excellent example to convince other partners.
8 ENGAGING LOCAL LANDOWNERS Building trust with local actors for a global cause
Another interesting story is the one of Mr. Adenizio Araujo that asked NORDESTA in 2011 to help him restore the only water source from his property.
He learned about NORDESTA because of the great work the organization was undertaking in the region. When the technicians arrived, they saw that the area was severly degradated with an advanced erosion process. The soil erosion was litteraly covering the water source.
The selected model for the native species plantation was experimental and had a much higher density than the models previously used. Such test worked increadibly well as the trees had an exceptional growth when compared to other areas. The light competition accelerated the growth and the land got covered only in one year, successfully recovering the soil structure and water infiltration and sourcing. Trees roots allowed to stabilize soil losses, recovering regular infiltration from rainfall.
Mr. Adenizio was happy to find his watersource recovered – the only potable watersource that his family and another family living in his property are dependent on.
9
HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE AREAS Beyond private lands, symbolic and environmental areas covered by the project activities
NORDESTA also undertakes planting activities in public areas in partnership with local governamental agencies to recover high conservation value areas.
Such reforestation activities contributes to the conservation of relevant areas for water sourcing, scenic beauty and wellbeing, as parks and other areas located in urban centers.
The picture on the right below was taken during the Earth day event, organized with the environmental police, Rotary Club, the municipal department for the Environment of Pimenta (MG) and the SAAE (Sistema Autônomo de Água e Esgoto, in Portuguese).
10 PLANTING SEEDS FOR THE FUTURE Awareness raising amongst children and adults
In parallel to the field work, Nordesta undertakes several activities on environmental education with children and adults.
The objective is to estimulate a close relationship with nature so that participants feel responsible for the natural resources management. The education activities gives them tools to make a difference in their everyday life.
In partnership with the local network of public schools (municipal and regional), Nordesta frequently organises field visits with schools to the nursery and other planting activities, making them familiar with the saplings production, seeds storage and cultivation, as well as watersources restoration.
The partners organizations on these activities are the following municipalities: Arcos, Formigas, Iguatama, Córrego Fundo, Pains e Japaraiba.
11 THE MOVING LEGAL CONTEXT Permanent Preservation Areas and the Forestry Code
Until not long ago, the brazilian Forestry Code was known to be one of the most advanced ones in the world. The first law regulating forests was from 1934. The latter was replaced by the Law n°12.651 from 1965, which was quite demanding when considering the conservation of natural resources notably the conservation of riparian zones. The “Forestry Code” regulated rural properties zoning, establishing limits to the usage of the “Permanent Preservation Areas” (APPs in Portuguese) that are watercourses and sources areas borders (up to 30 meters long and radius circle), slopes with over 45% declivity, amongst others. The law also established the need for conserving forestry resources up to 20% of the total property size, forming the “Legal Reserve”.
However, although the law was quite ancient, it never came fully into force. Just recently, during the last decade, varying amongst regions, a few public prosecutors have decided to make it real. The so called “Cadastro Ambiental Rural” (CAR, in Portuguese) procedures were supposed to run until May 2016 and should be Unfortunately, in 2012 a new law was established, done by every landowner. replacing the old Forestry Code. Extremelly controvertial, the law n° 12.651/12 redefines new boundaries for APPs Finally, the project plantations normally occur on APPs. However, and Legal Reserves, reducing considerably the size according to the law, there is no need to reforest such lands. In that obligations for APPs (from 30m to 5m). It also proposes a sense, the project is additional as it helps landowners to be in creation of a registry – as a marketplace- where accordance with the Forestry Code, as well as helping them to do landowners could trade their forestered areas with others more than what is required by law. in a same ecosystem.
12 PAST DEFORESTATION AND MINING Healing unsustainable economic development scars
As previously mentioned by the farmers story-telling, the history of the project location is mainly dominated by loss of forest cover and very strong mining activities. Because of such unsustainable practices, today we find a highly degraded environment with considerable soil losses and extinction risks for biodiversity, as well as water cycle deregulation.
According to the Global Forest Watch, we can see the evolution in terms of forest losses (pink colored dots on the right).
The dark gray area is the Canastra National Park. The project area is mainly pasture lands with introduced invasive species as « capim-gordura » (Mellnis minutiflora), « braquiaria » (Brachiaria decumbens), Pteridium aquilinum and Gleichenia sp. that compete with native species. Add to that, fire is still used as one of the management techniques, bringing important risks for the existing native vegetation.
Another interesting map is the second one where mining activity through the years are colored in orange. Nowadays, the main key minerals are kaoulin, quatzite and in the past, gold, diamond and silver, mostly illegal or irregular according to the mining and environmental regulations.
13 WATER CRISIS IN BRAZIL Shortages in water and electricity in 2014
In 2014, Brazil experimented a historical water crisis. As a consequence of rainfall variations together with bad governance of water resources, millions of people suffered with water shortages and electricity black-outs.
The crisis was strongly felt in the South-Est region, followed by the North-Est and Center-West. The city of São Paulo was one of the main cities touched by the shortages. Reservoirs were at their lowest levels during months. It is clear that such crisis could have been avoided, if proper maintenance and preventive measures had taken place. However, SABESP – the governmental agency responsible for waste and water management – neglected the needs for a better management and population growth predictions.
Most of the water distributed in São Paulo megalopolis comes from the « Cantareira System », that gathers several rivers running through the mountainous frontier region in between Minas Gerais and São Paulo. Add to the availability Similar to the project context, the Cantareira system mountain problem, the quality of water resources is also a big concern. chain is also covered by pasture with low productivity cattle As absurd as it seems, less than 1% of the water rejected by raising, presenting severe soil erosions problems. the cities are treated before running throughout the rivers. Brazil is going through a water crisis, in terms of quality and Aware of this situation, some cities have started PES availability of the resources. Activities as the reforestation of (Payments for Ecosystems Services) programs in order to riparian areas are key to break the vicious cycle of bad natural overcome the problem of natural resources management. As resources management. the « Water Conservator » Program in Extrema, Minas Gerais, that compensate financially landowners for the planting and protection of water sources.
14 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION SUMMARY Field activities simplified process
STEP 1
IDENTIFICATION & MAPPING OF PARCELS
STEP 2
NURSERY & PLANTING
STEP 3
MAINTENANCE
STEP 4
MONITORING & ANALYSIS
15 STEP - BY- STEP IMPLEMENTATION 1 st step: Identification and mapping of parcels
‒ Identification of parcels: The first step for the project STEP 1 implementation is the identification of the parcels and discussion with the landowners.
IDENTIFICATION & ‒ Diagnostic: After that, the parcels are visited by NORDESTA technicians that will assess the soil conditions, relief and take the MAPPING OF PARCELS GPS coordinates. All this information is treated digitally using GPS TrackMaker Professional® and AutoCad ® software. The results of such process is to have documents in KML, GTM and PDF files extensions. Like this, the parcels locations and perimeters can be seen using GoogleEarth or other user-friendly tools. Giving a precise view of the parcels locations.
‒ Mapping: Specific maps are done for each planting area separately, so that technicians and project participants can know precisely the number of species, number of trees, planting orientation and other relevant field information. This step allows to plan with precision the planting schemes and the areas to be planted, being a key tool for a quality project management and facilitating the future monitoring.
‒ Fencing: When the areas are selected, fences are established in order to start to prepare for the restoration activities. The need for the fencing is determined according to the presence of cattle and the surrounding cultures (as for example, coffee or annual crops). It is required that the fencing should have the wire closest to the ground without any harmful structures, so that the fauna can easily enter.
16 STEP - BY- STEP IMPLEMENTATION 2 nd step: Nursery and Planting
STEP 2 ‒ Preparing the saplings: The nursery is also one of the key PLANTING activities of a planting project, the sapling quality have a great NURSERY & influence on mortality rates and trees growth. For that, NORDESTA has to prepare in advance the plants that will be planted in the PLANTING upcoming years. Another main activity from the nursery is to properly store and break the « dormancy» of good quality seeds. The seeds have to be collected, and for some native species it is really tough to cultivate them in controlled conditions. There is a whole science behind the nursery, even more in tropical ecosystems as they are quite diverse.
‒ Species selection: tree species are selected according to their adaptability level to soil conditions, water availability, as well as their successional category (pioneer, secondary or climax species). Native fruit trees are included to promote pollination and animals feed like goiaba, guaraça, jenipapo, etc.
‒ Trees delivery: the number of trees from each species are delivered in the field
‒ Soil preparation: soil is prepared previously to planting.
‒ Planting: this activity takes place according to the weather conditions – there must be enough and not excessive rain - . It can be done 100% manually or using a tractor to help making the wholes for the trees roots and cut the dominating invasive grass.
17 STEP - BY- STEP IMPLEMENTATION 3 rd step: Maintenance
‒ Follow-up: The planted trees are checked after a few months of the planting date. Dead trees are replaced. STEP 3 MAINTENANC E ‒ Clearing and fertilization: For the living trees, the clearing of the grass surrounding each tree is done manually in order to MAINTENANCE avoid competition with invasive grass. Add to that, a light fertilization is done in order to ensure the good growth of the trees. Such practice is necessary in order to empower native trees growth against invasive grass species. These activities are done in order to ensure the success of the plantations.
‒ Ants’ control: In some cases, ants control techniques are used in order to avoid overpopulation. However, this activity is not done systematically. The used techniques are not harmful for the wild animals.
The maintenance is normally done during three years after the planting date, however, according to the conditions of the parcels, they can continue even after that, in order to ensure the full success of the plantations and the areas recovery.
Also, the fact that the planting density is higher than in conventional plantings, allows to reduce grass competition. The invasive grass species diminish gradually thanks to the shadow of the trees.
18 STEP BY STEP IMPLEMENTATION 4 th step: Monitoring and analysis
‒ Regular visits: done to the planted parcels by the technical team, analyzing trees growth as well as other species spontaneous growth. STEP 4 Again, the planted areas are followed until year +3.
MONITORING ‒ Observing environmental indicators: One of the main positive MONITORING& ANALYSIS & indicators observed is the presence of wild fauna as interactions ANALYSIS amongst animals and plants are very important to create a balanced and self-sufficient environment.
‒ Registry and documentation: The parcels yearly development are captured by georeferenced pictures database. The pictures are taken at different stages and from a same angle in order to allow comparison (see pictures on the left).
‒ Analysis: finally, the development indicators are analyzed in order to have a precise idea of the appropriateness of the planting scheme, cultural preparation quality, as well as mortality rates. See below an example of replanting analysis:
Planted area in 2014 just after the planting.
Same area in April 2016.
19 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 8 years of successful project implementation
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL
Planting starting date 02/02/2009 20/01/2010 04/01/2011 12/12/2011 08/01/2013 21/11/2013 09/12/2014 13/04/2015 -
Planting end date 12/02/2009 19/02/2010 25/02/2011 10/02/2012 11/03/2013 02/04/2014 24/04/2015 05/01/2016 -
Planned trees 3’311 26’846 78’312 111’024 71’662 37’875 50’807 64’418 444’255
Planted trees 3’200 29’223 79’976 115’306 39’190 42’100 96’277 44’540 449’812
Number of covered cities 1 1 1 5 6 3 6 4 27 and villages Total number of 1 7 2 7 10 13 11 4 55 beneficiaires
Total number of women 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3
Estimated number of people impacted by the 2’213 2’213 2’213 124’035 133’543 64’132 186’656 81’744 596’749 project
Planted area (hectares) 2,69 27,54 32,23 29,22 13,62 19,75 74,41 11,50 211
Number of used species 22 22 22 54 82 123 90 99 - and main usage (**) (7 frutíferas) (7 frutíferas) (7 frutíferas) (17 frutíferas) (13 frutíferas) (35 frutíferas) (22 frutíferas) (26 frutíferas)
MORTALITY % (***) 68,59% 19,52% 8,78% 4,12% 7,77% 4,95% 2,23% - 6%*
* All dead trees were replanted.
20 TREE PLANTING IN BRAZIL
CONTEXT AND KEY INFORMATION
P R O J E C T ACTIVITIES IN 2016
NEXT STEPS
21 LOOKING DOWN AT THE GROUND Project location
22 MONITORING DELIVERABLES GPS coordinates of wave #8 planted parcels
Name: Valmir Amorim Number of trees: 1’800 Area: 0,65 ha GPS coordinates: 20° 21.549' S 45° 34.077' W
23 MONITORING DELIVERABLES GPS coordinates of wave #8 planted parcels
Name: Paulo Cesar Gentile Number of trees: 16’000 Area: 3,24 GPS coordinates: 20° 25.074' S 45° 33.950' W
24 MONITORING DELIVERABLES GPS coordinates of wave #8 planted parcels
Name: Vander Alvez Rodrigues Number of trees: 22’740 Area: 4,93 GPS coordinates: 20° 25.074' S 45° 33.950' W
25 MONITORING DELIVERABLES GPS coordinates of wave #8 planted parcels
Name: Parque da Mina Number of trees: 4’000 Area: 2,69 GPS coordinates: 20° 26.741' S 45° 57.778' W
26 MONITORING DELIVERABLES Full planting registry and easily data extraction
27 PLANTING BIODIVERSITY Trees species list
# Popular name Scientific name Family # Popular name Scientific name Family 1 Açoita Cavalo Luehea divaricata Tiliaceae 50 Grumixameira Eugenia brasiliensis Myrtaceae 2 Amarelinho Platymenia reticulata Fabaceae 51 Guanandi Avicennia schaueriana Acanthaceae 3 Amescla rosa Protium heptaphyllum Burseraceae 52 Guaritá Astronium graveolens Anacardiaceae 4 Angelim pedra Vatairea heteroptera Fabaceae 53 Guatambú Aspidosperma parvifolium Apocynaceae 5 Angico - vermelho Anadenanthera macrocarpa Moimosaceae 54 Imburana Amburana cearensis Faibaideae 6 Araçá Psidium cattleanum Myrtaceae 55 Ipê - amarelo Handroanthus chrysotrichus Bignoniaceae 7 Araçá-goiaba Psidium longipetiolatum Myrtaceae 56 Ipê - amarelo paulista Handroanthus chrysotrichus Bignoniaceae 8 Araribá Centrolobium tomentosum Fabaceae 57 Ipê - branco Tabebuia roseo-alba Bignoniaceae 9 Aroeira - vermelha Schinus terebinthifolius Anacardiaceae 58 Ipê - caraíba Tabebuia ochracea Bignoniaceae 10 Aroeira brava Lithraea molleoides Anacardiaceae 59 Ipê - rosa Handroanthus avellanedae Bignoniaceae 11 Aroeira do sertão Myracrodruon urundeuva Anacardiaceae 60 Ipê - roxo Tabebuia impetiginosa Bignoniaceae 12 Aroeira salsa Schinus molle Anacardiaceae 61 Ipê - verde Cybistax antisyphilitica Bignoniaceae 13 Arruda - vermelha Swartzia apetala Fabaceae 62 Jacarandá - canzil Machaerium acutifolium Leguminosae 14 Babosa - branca Cordia superba Boraginaceae 63 Jacarandá - roxo Machaerium stipitatum Fabaceae 15 Baga - de - morcego Trichilia pallida Meliaceae 64 Jatobá da capoeira Hymenaea courbaril Leguminosae 16 Bela sombra Phytolacca dioica Phytolaccaceae 65 Jatobá do campo Hymenaea stignocarpa Leguminosae 17 Bico de pato Machaerium nyctitans Fabaceae 66 Jenipapo Genipa americana Rubiaceae 18 Cabeludinha Myrciaria glazioviana Myrtaceae 67 Louro pardo Cordia trichotoma Boraginaceae 19 Cabo verde Senna macranthera Meliaceae 68 Macaquinha Rollinia sylvatica Annonaceae 20 Café de bugre Cordia ecalyculata Boraginaceae 69 Mamica - de - porca Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Rutaceae 21 Cafezinho Rhamnidium elaeocarpus Rhamnaceae 70 Monjoleiro Acacia polyphyla Leguminosae 22 Cagaitera Eugenia dysenterica Myrtaceae 71 Moreira Maclura tinctoria Moraceae 23 Cajambo Salicaceae Menispermaceae Mimosoideae 72 Muchoco Erythrina falcata Leguminosae 24 Camboatá Cupania vernalis Sapindaceae 73 Muchoco Erythrina crista galli Leguminosae 25 Canela batalha Cryptocarya aschersoniana Lauraceae 74 Oiti Licania Tomentosa Crisobalanaceae 26 Canela cheirosa Endlicheria paniculata Lauraceae 75 Óleo - bálsamo Myroxylon peruiferum Fabaceae 27 Cangalheiro Lamanonia brasiliensis Cunnoniaceae 76 Óleo de copaíba Copaifera langsdorffii Caesalpiniaceae 28 Canudo - de - pito Mabea brasiliensis Flacourtiaceae 77 Paineira barriguda Chorisia speciosa Bombacaceae 29 Capixingui Croton floribundus Euphorbiaceae 78 Pata de vaca Bauhinia forticata Leguminosae 30 Caroba Jacaranda cuspidifolia Bignoniaceae 79 Pau - brasil Caesalpinia echinata Caesalpiniaceae 31 Cataguaí Metrodorea stipularis Rutaceae 80 Pau - cigarra Senna multijuga Leguminosae 32 Catiguá Trichilia claussenii Meliaceae 81 Pau - de - carrapato Machoerium minutifolium Fabaceae 33 Catiguá - branco Trichilia silvatica Meliaceae 82 Pau - ferro Caesalpinia ferrea Caesalpiniaceae 34 Caviúna Dalbergia miscolobium Fabaceae 83 Peroba - rosa Aspidosperma polyneuron Apocynaceae 35 Cedro Cedrela fissilis Meliaceae 84 Pitanga Eugenia uniflora Myrtaceae 36 Cereja do mato Eugenia involucrata Myrtaceae 85 Pombeiro Citharexylum myrianthum Verbenaceae 37 Chapadinha Acosmium subelegans Fabaceae 86 Pororoca Dialium guianense Leguminosae 38 Chuva - de - ouro Lophantera lactescens Malpighiaceae 87 Pururuca Casearia rupestris Flacourtiaceae 39 Cuia do brejo Estyrax canporum Fabaceae 88 Quaresmeira - roxa Tibouchina granulosa Melastomataceae 40 Curida Pouteria ramiflora Sapotaceae 89 Saboneteira Sapindus saponaria Sapindaceae 41 Embaúba Cecropia hololeuca Cecropiaceae 90 Saguaraji Colubrina glandulosa Rhamnaceae 42 Embira de sapo Lonchocarpus guilleminianus Fabaceae 91 Sangra d' água Croton urucurana Euphorbiaceae 43 Embiruçu Eriotheca pubescens Bombacaceae 92 Sapucaia Lecytis pisonis Lecythidaceae 44 Escova - de - garrafa Callistemon sp Myrtaceae 93 Sete-cascas Campomanesia guazumiflolia Myrtaceae 45 Espeto Casearia gossypiosperma Flacourtiaceae 94 Sombreiro Clitoria faichildiana Leguminosae 46 Gameleira Ficus insipida Moraceae 95 Sucupira - branca Pterodon emarginatus Fabaceae 47 Goiaba - branca Psidium guajava Myrtaceae 96 Tamboril Enterolobium schomburgkii Leguminosae 48 Goiaba - vermelha Psidium guajava Myrtaceae 97 Tataré Chloroleucon tortum Fabaceae 49 Goiaba brava Myrcia tomentosa Myrtaceae 98 Tento Ormosia arborea Fabaceae 50 Grumixameira Eugenia brasiliensis Myrtaceae 99 Timbó Lonchocarpus muhlbergianus Leguminosae
28 MONITORING & MAINTENANCE Previous plantation waves follow - up and replanting
As mentioned before, the previous years plantations are also part of the activities in 2016, as they are monitored until year +3 in order to gather information on mortality, development, as well as other environmental indicators as fauna and flora spontaneous presence. Such parcels are submitted to maintenance, as clearing of grass and replanting.
This work allows to improve cultivation practices on a regular basis, providing field evidence on the impacts of the project as well as in situ field experiences.
In 2016, the 2013, 2014 and 2015 planted areas were monitored, as presented in the table on the right. The next years will comprise the monitoring of 2014, 2015 and 2016 plantations.
In addition to tables and questionnaires, it is part of the monitoring to collect pictures and stories, observe changes and when possible to collect videos.
Finally, as this is part of the core activities of NORDESTA, all steps are followed by awareness raising interventions, working closely with the local population and beneficiaries.
29 POSITIVE IMPACTS Observed changes witnessed by the participants
‒ Improved water quality
‒ Reduction of soil erosion processes
‒ Improved water quantity and regulation of flows within water sources (run-off reduction, increased infiltration, water evapotranspiration)
‒ Return from wild animals
‒ Increase in insects resulting in superior yields in agriculture INDIVIDUAL LEVEL ‒ Microclimate (increase in rainfall and air quality improvements as well as scenic beauty)
‒ Water quality and quantity improvement all over the river basin
‒ Increase in wildlife appearance including endangered species
‒ Improvements in terms of scenic beauty, microclimate and air quality.
COLLECTIVE LEVEL
30 POSITIVE BIODIVERSITY IMPACTS Observed animals in the areas
Cariama Cristata Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Siriema) (Tamanduá-bandeira)
Alectrurus tricolor Callithrix penicillata (Galito) (Mico-estrela)
Chrysocyon brachyurus Mergus octosetaceus (Lobo-guará) (Pato-mergulhão)
Risk of extinction classification according to the IUCN Red 31List TREE PLANTING IN BRAZIL
CONTEXT AND KEY INFORMATION
PROJECT ACTIVITIES I N 2 0 1 6
N E X T S T E P S
32 SOCIETAL AND PHYSICAL OBSTACLES Changing deep anchored mindsets and reducing risks
In the past, the main obstacle was the change of mindsets fully anchored in unsustainable production modes. Nature is seen as an outsider, as something that is there to be at our service. Humankind spend huge amounts of time trying to control nature, instead of integrating it to our daily life.
In that sense, the first difficulties were to find areas to be planted, and that’s when it became clear that planting could not run without environmental awareness activities.
The great work conducted by NORDESTA became familiar to landowners in the region, as well as governmental agencies and other civil society organizations.
Like this, awareness raising are of key importance to allow the expansion of restoration activities as well as to progressively change the degradation trend in the future, as participants better understand the impacts of their actions on the environment.
Nowadays, the main difficulty is rainfall irregularity when compared to the average historical trends. This factor has a direct effect on trees’ mortality rates and development, changing considerably the survival rates, notably on the first year after the planting.
A second obstacle felt in the field is the lack of extra resources for building fences - as such can be expensive and that small landowners very often do not have available financial resources - . Considering the survival risks and threats as cattle, the lack of fences makes unviable to conduct the planting in some areas.
33 CONCLUSIONS Overall impressions and potential improvements
The project is certainly successful in terms of reaching its Besides that, tree planting density (number of trees per ha) objectives. In general, the level of professionalism is really were increased in order to ensure a faster restoration process. high and that is reflected by increase in the survival rates, as well as the great number of species and the quality of the However, some activities could complement the project in an deliverables. expressive manner: ‒ Fences additional support; Needless to say that NORDESTA is an example of leadership ‒ Small dams and terraces for reducing water run-off and and civil society mobilization. Of course, some of us won’t increase in infiltration. even be alive to see all the positive impacts that the plantations and awareness raising are to bring. This is a true Concerning the fences, one suggestion would be to create a « ant’s work », invisible and in the long run. In the current kind of small fund for micro producers (family farmers) that situation, the project activities continue even after the planting have strategical conservation areas but do not dispose of the work was done. available resources for such.
The project staff transmits their happiness of trying to replace Other improvements are to be in the monitoring registry, since an environmental destructive mindset by a virtuous one. the project is starting to storage a great quantity of data – some Being capable of showing to producers and landowners that changes are necessary to be done on the monitoring they can make a difference, changing the destruction trend documents. and help to built a better future. All that, aligned with economic development and profitability. Affirming that Finally, in terms of monitoring, other aspects could be included, environmental conservation and productive practices are not as interviews with beneficiaries as well as the inclusion of other antagonists, but on the contrary, they can be additional – as ecosystems services indicators as fauna and flora. we see in some farms where the plantations have increased yields because of the impact on insects and pollinators.
Because the Plant for the Planet program is on the long run it allowed the field activities to reach a highly structured stage, with impressive results.
34 FUTURE PROJECT ACTIVITIES Planning for the next planting wave
At the present, the field activities of planting and maintenance were finalized and the next steps consist on the planning for the next plantation wave. In that sense, the nursery team is working hard to gather enough quality and quantity trees to prepare the next plantings.
Besides that, other important activities are also to be developed in parallel, they are:
‒ Identification, geo referencing of the parcels and fencing when necessary;
‒ Seeds collection and registry of parent trees (or seed trees), in order to increase the number of cultivated species;
‒ Environmental awareness activities with landowners, producers and communities belonging to the project zones, through presentations and organized visits to the nursery and mini trainings;
‒ Development of internship programs together with universities and technical institutions from the region and in other countries – in order to prepare new environmental awareness agents that will spread the message worldwide.
35 36 37 38 39 40 41 A P P E N D I X External photos credits
Picture Casca d’anta Wikimedia commons – Casca d’Anta (Serra da Canastra) Author: Antonio José Maia Guimarães
Cover Picture Thousandwonders Author: Rafael Fernando
Brazil’s flag Bol Mundo Educação (crise da agua no Brasil)
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