WWF Mediterrâneo (Portugal)



WWF Mediterrâneo (Portugal)

Ângela Morgado

Communications and Fundraising Officer

Telef – +351 91 842 88 29

amorgado@

pt

Summary of the WWF / CEABN Report entitled “The Cork Oak, a barrier against Desertification”

Desertification is a growing problem in the world, and fighting it is a global mission. The main consequences of desertification on the environment are the decrease of biodiversity and the increase of gas emissions that cause the greenhouse effect. It is estimated that 20% of gas emissions responsible for the greenhouse effect around the world, result in deforestation and deterioration of forests, which have reached a rate of 13 million hectares per year, (the equivalent of about 36 soccer fields disappearing per minute). From the economic point of view, it is estimated that the cost of desertification is close to 42.3 billion dollars per year, and that 4.2 billion hectares, (33% of the Earth’s surface), are vulnerable to desertification processes. Over 2.6 billion people, 38% of the world population, will be affected by desertification in more than 110 countries, especially in Africa. In the Mediterranean region, which is considered one of the hot spots of biodiversity worldwide, the WWF estimates that about 300,000 km2 are in risk of desertification, affecting the lives of 16 million people.

Portugal is one of the countries of Southern Europe that are most affected by desertification. This is largely due to its climatic conditions: hot and dry summers followed by torrential precipitation. The areas that are most threatened by desertification are the south and the interior of the country, with high levels of aridity and risk of erosion. These areas are susceptible to loss of soil fertility, of biological productivity, and of economic potential, as well as showing the highest rates of population migration. Desertification and depopulation are, therefore, closely related, and it can be concluded that lower potential for productivity will provoke higher migration rates in the rural population.

Around one million eight thousand hectares of Portuguese forest are located in areas that are susceptible to desertification. In these areas, the holm oak and the cork oak are the most common trees. These trees, along with the Portuguese pine tree “pinheiro manso” (pinus pinea), and certain types of shrubs, can increase the biological productivity and revert the process of physical desertification and rural depopulation.

The Cork Oak, an emblematic species, fundamental in the prevention of desertification in Portugal

The Cork Oak, which occupies an area of 736,700 hectares in Portugal, is distinguished for its high economic, environmental and social value. It performs excellent and unique environmental services: soil conservation, regulation of the water cycle, carbon binding and conservation of biodiversity. Cork harvesting is also an environmentally sustainable process, since no trees are felled, and it is only carried out every nine years. Endangered birds of prey like the Bonelli eagle and mammals such as

WWF Mediterrâneo (Portugal)

Ângela Morgado

Communications and Fundraising Officer

Telef – +351 91 842 88 29

amorgado@

pt

the Iberian lynx, the most endangered feline in the world, have a prime habitat in the cork forests.

The Cork Oak is the basis of the cork economy: every year Portugal produces about 140 thousand tons of cork, which is approximately 54% of the world production of cork. Ninety percent of the transformed cork, (68% of corks for bottling), is exported, and amounts to 2,7% of Portugal’s annual exports. This sector includes 900 transforming companies. But cork forests provide other forms of livelihood, like raising livestock, hunting, honey, and mushrooms. A significant part of the Portuguese population depends on the cork economy, which generates between twelve and fourteen thousand jobs in factories, six thousand five hundred jobs in cork extraction, and thousands of jobs indirectly (tourism, restaurants, etc.).

The Cork Oak plays an instrumental role in the fight against desertification in Portugal by preventing soil deterioration. Cork groves and forests, are ecologically and economically sustainable systems, and if well managed, can generate high levels of biodiversity. For instance, in one area of the cork forest of the Serra de Grândola, the following were identified: 264 species of funguses, 50 mosses, 308 vascular plants, 140 insects, 6 species of fish, 12 amphibians, 13 reptiles, 73 birds and 14 mammals. Threatened birds of prey like the Bonelli eagle and mammals such as the Iberian lynx, the most endangered feline in the world, all have a choice habitat in the cork forests. The cork forests improve organic matter in the soil by extracting nutrients from the deeper levels and returning them to the soil when the leaves fall, making the soil more productive. They help regulate the hydrological cycle (by increasing the levels of organic matter in the soil, improving water retention, facilitating infiltration in the soil and reducing loss from superficial run-off). And they help prevent depopulation since they constitute a form of economically viable forestry: cork extraction (500 Euros/ha), livestock raising (70 Euros/ha), hunting (15 Euros/ha), honey, aromatic plants and mushrooms (8 Euros/ha).

In the case of rehabilitation of deteriorated areas, or in advanced states of desertification, the Cork Oak plays an equally important role, especially if it is associated with other Mediterranean species like the holm oak and the “pinheiro manso” (pinus pinea).

In the present setting of climate changes, significant alterations are expected in a near future regarding Portuguese vegetation. This medium term, or even short term prospect, is what the WWF and the CEABN deal with in their report.

WWF Mediterrâneo (Portugal)

Ângela Morgado

Communications and Fundraising Officer

Telef – +351 91 842 88 29

amorgado@

pt

Setting 1 – Stop desertification by promoting proper management of the Cork Oak

The encroachment of desertification can be stopped by promoting proper management of cork forests. Deterioration of these areas can be fought by correct management that will ensure the natural regeneration of cork plantations and will help

protect them against plagues and blights, maintaining the sustainability of the ecosystem. This strategy will prevent loss of density in cork forests, and will be a measure of priority in the national effort to prevent desertification.

In a context in which proper management of cork plantations is carried out, it is expected that in 2020 the levels of density will be restored to those existing in 1995. In other words, only 20% of cork plantations will have less that 40 trees per hectare, and half of the plantations will have over 80 trees per hectare.

1. Prevention of the effects of climate changes by carrying out the expansion of the Cork Oak

The expansion of the area of Cork Oak arises as an alternative measure in view of irreversible climate changes.

Giving priority to the planting of cork trees, along with the “pinheiro manso” and the holm oak, when appropriate, particularly in the above mentioned districts of Beja, Évora, Setúbal, Portalegre and Coimbra, is seen as a preventive measure against the encroachment of desertification.

The expansion of cork plantations, as a measure to adapt forests to climate changes, and foreseeing that the country’s present effort to reforest at a rate of 1% per year will be maintained, the year 2020 will see an increase of nearly 20% in cork oak area, which will help keep the border of desertification at its present limit.

Setting 2 – Regression of the Cork Oak and advance of desertification

Inadequate management of cork forests and failure to carry out the expansion of the cork oak will see, by the year 2020, forest density regressing. That is, 40% of cork plantations will have less that 40 trees per hectare, only 15% will have more than 80 trees per hectare, and the forested area will recede 1% per year, leading to a rate of desertification of over 1,000 m/year.

This process will result in soil deterioration due to erosion, loss of biological and economic productivity, depopulation, loss of biodiversity, and the encroachment of desertification towards the centre of the country.

WWF Mediterrâneo (Portugal)

Ângela Morgado

Communications and Fundraising Officer

Telef – +351 91 842 88 29

amorgado@

pt

Conclusion:

To effectively fight desertification it is extremely important to use the Cork Oak and maintain the density in its areas of growth, which has diminished during the last few years. The increase in cork density is closely related to the proper management of cork plantations.

If temperatures rise, the Cork Oak will have better conditions to be introduced in the districts to the north of the Tagus, thus expanding its growth area. This would be a step in reacting to irreversible climate change, and would help prevent desertification.

Ensuring the regeneration and vitality of the Cork Oak south of the Tagus, and its expansion to the north, is a way of fighting desertification. If the Cork Oak regresses, desertification will be allowed to advance.

Proper management will determine Portugal’s position by 2020 - without management, Setting 2 will prevail; with correct management, Setting 1 will predominate. Sustainable management of cork forests, following an efficient economic model, will benefit the conservation of biodiversity and the well being of the population, preventing the effects of climate change.

Proposals of the WWF / CEABN – a contribution for the materialization of

Setting 1

Programme for integrated protection against plagues and blights of the cork oak – Adaptation of the forest to climate change

Launching a new programme of integrated protection against plagues and blights of the Cork Oak, recognizing its unique value in conservation at economic, social and environmental levels, in order to prevent desertification and adapt forests to climate change.

Adopting the FSC certification to help fight desertification

In areas that are more susceptible to desertification, it is a priority to expand considerably the 6% of Portuguese forested area that comes under the certification of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

The carbon market for areas susceptible to desertification

Develop new mechanisms to convert emissions into carbon credit, by creating low productivity compensation forms for “projectos de sequestro” in areas that are susceptible to desertification, making them more attractive to investors.

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