The use of extensive animal production as a sustainable forest management tool in agroforestry mosaics
Collaboration in the implementation of a silvopastoral project in the Vall del Corb territory through the use of smart collar systems that allow virtual fences to be created, thereby reducing the economic and landscape impact of fencing.
Start date 29/11/2024
Sector Agricultural, livestock and forestry sector
Lead partner Associació Leader de Ponent
Area of operation Urgell and Conca de Barberà
Climate risk

Increased risk of forest fires
Decrease in crop and pasture production
Loss of ecological balance
Budget 20.122,27 €

 

Action fact sheet (PDF)

Priority areas for fire prevention

Agricultural abandonment, the loss of plots and the lack of undergrowth management have led to an increase in forest area in recent years in Vall del Corb. For all that, and in accordance with the work of GRAF, priority fire prevention areas have been delimited, highlighting the need to increase forest management in this territory, which has already suffered several forest fires recently.

Introduction of the Albera cow

One of the main tools to contribute to forest management and reduce the risk of forest fire in these territories is silvopastoral practices. For this reason, and with the support of the Centre Tecnològic i Forestal de Catalunya (Catalonia Technological and Forest Centre) a guide on the classification and management guidelines for grazing in Vall del Corb was drafted.

Thanks to the efforts of various agents and entities in the region, the introduction of the Albera cow has been promoted as a tool for reducing the fuel mass associated with undergrowth in wooded estates. Very rustic, small and adapted to forest management are some of the characteristics of this protected and native breed of the Albera region that make it ideal for clearing these areas.

Virtual fencing

Within this framework, and with the support of Associació de Propietaris Forestals de la Vall del Corb (Association of Forest Owners in Vall del Corb), Associació per al desenvolupament integral de la Vall del Corb (Association for the Comprehensive Development of Vall del Corb) and Fundació Pau Costa (Pau Costa Foundation) a pilot test will be developed to use collars with geolocalisation and monitoring that allow for the creation of virtual fences to reduce the economic and landscape impact of traditional fencing.