It is a continuation of the LIFE Olivares Vivos+ project. LIFE Living Olives Studies have been started to restore biodiversity in new farms where this agricultural model developed between 2015-2021 is applied. This showed that it is possible to reconcile respect for flora and fauna with production and profitability. A particularly important turning point For the first time, environmental restoration interventions are carried out outside of Andalusia.
From now on, these shows will take place in olive groves. Extremadura, Valencian Community and Castilla-La Mancha, except that it continues in the Andalusia region. These new uses will therefore serve to continue to learn about the biodiversity and evolution of the olive grove, as well as to show the farmers of these autonomous communities and other neighbors the advantages afforded by the olive cultivation model. your nature. .
this action Biodiversity restoration will take place in unproductive areas of olive grovesto diversify the landscape and provide shelter and food for the fauna. Fields of woody species will then be complemented by the installation of support elements for the fauna and the improvement of the proper management of herbaceous covers.
Saving the flora and fauna of the olive grove provides a range of services.Such as natural pest control, improvement of soil fertility or a greater capacity for rainwater storage. But in addition, thanks to the added value provided by the efficient and certified recovery of biodiversity, it allows the EVOOs (Extra Virgin Olive Oils) produced in them to differentiate themselves.
Cultivation of woody species in Badajoz
The first farm where these actions started, Valdearenales (Guareña, Badajoz). they got there 750 woody plantsFrom 25 different species planted in locations predetermined by the Living Olive Grove Biodiversity Improvement Action Plan (PARB-OV). Ecological, biodegradable and compostable preservatives and natural reeds to support them will also be used for this response, thus preventing the use of petroleum products and the accumulation of wastes that have a negative impact on the environment.
PARB-OV has been specially prepared for this olive grove by SEO/BirdLife technicians, coordinating partner of LIFE Olivares Vivos+, and diversification through improved herbaceous management and even timely planting of seeds in olive grove streets in the coming months. Finally, fauna support structures such as nest boxes, shelter boxes for bats, poles for birds of prey, drinking fountains or small ponds will be installed.
Future activities of Olivares Vivos+ in Europe
These studies will likewise be carried out on other farms distributed in some regions through LIFE Olivares Vivos+. The main olive-producing regions of the European Union not only from Spain, but also from Alentejo, Portugal; Tuscany and Lazio, Italy and Crete and Peloponnese, Greece. However, 16 new farms have been added to the 20 Andalusian sample olive groves participating in the first LIFE Olivares Vivos project.
Also, others three new farmsLocated in the states of Almería and Granada, it will serve to analyze the impact of climate change on this olive growing pattern. To carry out all these biodiversity restoration actions, teams of experienced workers will participate and support rural job creation.
Biodiversity measurements continue
The development of the Olivares Vivos model responds to a segmented operational design. a few key steps, is the first biodiversity measurement for which the first flora and fauna is known. Based on the information obtained after this census, a specific PARB-OV is prepared for each farm. Finally, a new biodiversity measurement is made to know the evolution of biomarkers after the actions. Currently, new farms commissioning phase Biodiversity measurements in the field since spring by researchers from the University of Jaén and CSIC’s Arid Zones Experimental Station (EEZA) are quite advanced.
Such studies were carried out as follows: scientific methods and criteriaSimilar to what took place during LIFE Olivares Vivos (2016-2021). The results obtained in these analyzes confirmed the high efficiency of the model designed to restore biodiversity. So much so that on average and in just 3 years, birds increased their species richness by 5.4% and their abundance by 9.8%; pollinators increased by 13.9% and 47.2%, respectively, and woody plants increased by 171.8% and 20%. Among the biodiversity indicators examined, only ants experienced a decrease in their wealth (6.9% less); however, its abundance increased (4.1%).
restoring biodiversity, moreover, much higher on farms with the worst conditions at the start of the project. Furthermore, analysis of this monitoring data shows that the potential to increase flora and fauna diversity on these worst-off farms can reach up to 40% in the long run. In the same census, an ant considered extinct in the Iberian Peninsula was identified. Aphaenogaster twinand a new plant for science was discovered, Linaria qartobennsis.
During the development of the current LIFE Olivares Vivos + project, 20 sample olive groves, the work of which started in 2015, will continue to be on the agenda of scientific studies. In fact, from April next year, its biodiversity will be re-measured to find out how the Olivares Vivos model behaves in the medium term.
from 2021 LIFE Olive Groves Alive+Work is underway to accelerate the spread of the model to Europe’s main olive-producing regions, extending it to other products (such as table olives) and transferring it to other products such as vineyards. This new project has been developed by SEO/BirdLife, coordinating partner, Jaén State Council, University of Jaén, Arid Zones Experimental Station of the Supreme Council for Scientific Research (EEZA-CSIC), University of Évora, agricultural cooperative. and forestry DREAm-Italy, Helena Agricultural Organization and Juan Vilar Strategic Consultants.
Moreover Funding from the European Commission’s LIFE programCo-financed by the Junta de Andalucía Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development and the support of the Interprofessional of Spanish Olive Oil, Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha and Caja Rural de Jaén.
An agriculture model that is at peace with life
With the financing of two LIFE projects since 2015, Olivares Vivos has developed and implemented an innovative olive cultivation model born of consensus among farmers, scientists and conservationists.. It has since reconciled the olive grove with its biodiversity and increased the profitability of farmers. Built on the solid scientific foundation provided by the Olivares Vivos partner institutions, it has been designed and tested on forty farms in Andalusia; It is the most important worldwide study on the flora and fauna of the olive grove and the analysis of the European olive market. olive oil.
The Living Olive Orchards model increases its profitability as it does not affect agricultural production. reduces dependence on fertilizers or pesticides, adapts the olive grove to the environmental requirements of agricultural policies and above all integrates the added value of the effective recovery of biodiversity in EVOO. To achieve this added value, a consumer-recognized certification regulation and a seal have also been drawn up, improving the lubricants’ market position.
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Contact details of the environment department: [email protected]