Action C1. In situ interventions in terrestrial priority habitats: Implementation of antierosion, anti-fire, anti-grazing and anti-flood control small-scale measures

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The implementation of the specific interventions is expected to improve the ecological functions of the selected sites of the alluvial alder forests and promote their conservation. Limited, small-scale intervention will include:

  • Anti-erosion interventions: Restoration of traditional stone walls, i.e., walls built along the flow of the river several meters away from the riverbanks in order to keep the surrounding soils from being washed away to the river by heavy rainfall.
  • Anti-fire interventions: (1) Installation of small water tanks at specific vulnerable areas of the slopes over the forests serving as refilling the reservoirs of the forest department’s fire trucks and (2) Restoration/repair of traditional stone walls up on the hillsides which were used to separate/delimit private land properties but also served as obstacles not allowing the quick spread of wild fires through areasdominated by shrubs (maquis vegetation). This intervention will be enhanced by periodic clearing of the vegetation surrounding the stone walls to form an efficient anti-fire zone.
  • Anti-grazing interventions: Establishment of fencing at various access points to the river streams where young alders are abundant and where restoration of alder stands will be performed, and restoration of parts of stone wall network to control grazing.
  • Anti-flood control: Removal of rocks, fallen trunks and other large debris from several sites within the river/streams of the alluvial alder forests in order to restore the unobstructed downstream flow of water, and re-establishment of river estuaries at specific sites.

Additionally, management of giant reed (Arundo donax) stands present in certain littoral areas of the forests.