**In Greece, the island of Euboea is home to one of the country's last multi-centenary chestnut groves. Part of the Natura 2000 network, the Kastanologos forest on Mount Ochi is in a critical state. With chestnut trees estimated to be between 200 and 450 years old, the forest is ageing without renewing itself due to the impact of climate change and overgrazing by livestock, which consumes the young shoots. A scientific research and natural regeneration project for the Kastanologos chestnut grove has therefore been set up by Reforest'Action in 2022, in partnership with the Forest Research Institute of Thessaloniki. The project, which aims to support the regeneration of 37,500 trees over 25 hectares by 2027, will also advance research into the restoration and conservation of other European chestnut groves, while supporting the sustainable development of traditional livestock farming.**

![Karystos-2.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Karystos_2_d2ae42d244.jpg)

## Europe's chestnut groves: forests on the verge of extinction 

### Chestnut trees in the Mediterranean region

Native to the Mediterranean, chestnut (Castanea sativa) was at first highly prized by forest owners, before being abandoned in the 1970s. In the 20th century, the management system for chestnut forests was mainly based on short rotations of 12 to 30 years. The wood harvested was used to make poles for agriculture and power lines, as well as for heating. But traditional chestnut wood products suffered from competition from synthetic materials from the 1970s onwards. As a result, many chestnut forests were abandoned by their owners or by local authorities, due to a lack of economic outlets.

Today, in Mediterranean Europe, chestnut groves often remain in a state of abandonment. Overgrown with vegetation and faced with climate change, they struggle to regenerate. However, chestnut wood is still appreciated for its technical and aesthetic properties in the crafts, woodworking and interior design sectors. Chestnut groves are also invaluable reservoirs for flora and fauna, and, when properly maintained, offer a higher level of biodiversity than closed forests. The implementation of silvicultural methods compatible with the principles of sustainable management could thus make it possible to restore the ecosystem services of these forests and contribute to the production of high-value wood, while supporting the social, cultural and economic development of European agricultural and mountain areas.

### Kastanologos: a Greek chestnut grove in critical condition

In Greece, the island of Euboea is home to one of the country's last multi-century chestnut groves. Part of the Natura 2000 network, the public forest of Kastanologos, on Mount Ochi, is remarkable for its rich floral biodiversity, and is home to rare and endangered species, some of which are endemic, such as Allium Orestis, Viola euboea, Centaurea raphanina and Crepis hellenica.

Yet this chestnut grove is in a critical state: with a surface area of 61.95 hectares, it has lost half its cover over the last 60 years. Overgrazing by livestock, mainly goats and sheep, has prevented any natural regeneration of the trees, with seed reserves and young shoots being systematically consumed by wildlife. With chestnut trees estimated to be between 200 and 450 years old, the forest is aging without renewing itself, with numerous dead branches and standing dead trees. In addition, climate change, which leads to heat peaks, increasingly long periods of drought and sometimes even major forest fires on the island of Euboea, is combined with fungal infestations. These factors are leading not only to the decline of the Kastanologos forest, but also to the gradual extinction of chestnut trees throughout the region.

![Karystos-7.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Karystos_7_0a70ea8465.jpg)

In order to remedy the damage caused by overgrazing, fences have been installed over the past few years in certain areas of Kastanologos to study the consequences of excluding livestock on the natural regeneration of chestnut trees. Thanks to these initial protective measures, seedlings have already been observed, originating from seeds that have fallen to the ground. Encouraged by these initial results, a scientific research and natural regeneration project for the Kastanologos chestnut grove has been set up by Reforest'Action in 2022, in partnership with the Forestry Research Institute of Thessaloniki.

![Map-Karystos.png](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Map_Karystos_a8af2a9d1b.png)
On the Greek island of Euboea, northeast of Athens, the chestnut grove of Kastanologos is part of the Natura 2000 network, shown in red on the map.
 
### Birth of a scientific project to regenerate the Kastanologos chestnut grove

In the field, Dr Gavriil Spyroglou, the project's scientific manager, is responsible for coordinating and managing the research and work. “We want to develop a sufficient density of chestnut seedlings to enable the sustainable renewal of the Kastanologos forest”, he explains. "At the end of the regeneration period, the forest will have become a bipartite chestnut grove, made up of both stumps (which are valuable habitats for biodiversity) and young chestnut seedlings. We are convinced that the renewed forest will be more resilient in the face of climate change. The project, which aims to support the regeneration of 37,500 trees over 25 hectares by 2027, has both scientific and operational objectives:
- Firstly, an assessment of the state of conservation of the Kastanologos chestnut grove, and a study of the forest's carrying capacity (i.e. the maximum number of animals that a given area can tolerate without irreparable damage to the plant resource or the soil), in order to devise a silvicultural plan including, in particular, the regulation of grazing by domestic livestock;
- On the other hand, silvicultural actions such as fencing off areas to be restored and supporting the natural regeneration of chestnut trees. As the chestnut tree is a species that can reproduce both sexually (by seeds from mature trees that have fallen to the ground) and asexually (from shoots that grow back naturally on the stumps), various actions will be implemented, such as planting campaigns using locally harvested seeds and cutting down dying chestnut trees to stimulate the appearance of new shoots.

![Karystos-1.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Karystos_1_a3ec4ec60e.jpg)

## A project design adapted to local conditions

### Modifying grazing practices to better respect the ecosystem

Grazing directly or indirectly influences the growth, survival and reproduction of plant species, and is therefore an important factor in determining the evolution of ecological succession, i.e. the natural process by which an ecosystem evolves and develops. While moderate grazing intensity generally promotes plant community diversity by reducing the competitiveness of dominant plant species, overgrazing causes profound changes in ecosystem composition and structure, leading in particular to reduced plant populations and livestock performance.

Traditionally used as grazing land for 4 to 6 months a year by 3 herds of goats and 2 herds of sheep belonging to local breeders (i.e. around 750 herbivores), the Kastanologos forest is suffering from this use, which far exceeds its carrying capacity.

In order to gradually change grazing practices within the chestnut grove, grazing zones have been delimited, taking into account both the animals' food requirements and the need to protect certain areas to allow the forest to regenerate. These boundaries will evolve over the course of the project, with ongoing monitoring of the spatial and temporal distribution of livestock and grazing intensity, in order to identify areas of the forest that are under- or over-used by the herds. During the period when certain forest areas are fenced off, the herds will be provided with supplementary feed.

The livestock can then be reintroduced when the young trees have reached a sufficient height not to be consumed. This reintroduction will have to be carried out in reasonable quantities: the carrying capacity of Kastanologos has thus been estimated at 678 small herbivores per month, which is much lower than the carrying capacity prior to the implementation of the restoration project.

Thanks to this methodological approach, it will be possible to provide guidelines for sustainable grazing management, respectful of biodiversity and guaranteeing the stability of the restored forest ecosystem. Field checks and data collection will be carried out regularly to document this process and make it replicable in other European chestnut groves, with the aim of restoring and conserving these precious forests while supporting the sustainable development of traditional livestock farming.

![Karystos-8.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Karystos_8_e059b1145b.jpg)

### Supporting the regeneration and expansion of chestnut groves 

Chestnut is a species capable of sprouting after being cut, whatever the diameter or age of the tree. This asexual, (or vegetative) reproduction enables the formation of clones with the same genetic heritage as the mother plant. Within Kastanologos, a 10-hectare experimental plot will be set up in which dead chestnut trees are gradually felled in accordance with the regeneration plan. The wood resulting from the felling operations, if it cannot be supplied to local residents, will be chipped and scattered on the forest floor for faster decomposition and nutrient recycling. Five dead or dying chestnut trees per hectare will be left to provide habitat and maintain the forest's high level of biodiversity. The gradual felling of dead trees within the plot will not only free existing seedlings from the shade of the mother forest, and create new ones where none existed before, but also allow new shoots to germinate from the stumps.

![Karystos-5.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Karystos_5_cdf08f9794.jpg)

At the same time, a 5-hectare plot will be attached to the existing chestnut grove and fenced off to sow seeds and plant chestnut seedlings derived from the sexual reproduction of Kastanologos living trees. Trees will also be planted in another 10-hectare plot, in the interstices between the forest's living chestnut trees.

All these young trees will be protected by a protocol of silvicultural interventions that will guarantee the establishment of perennial natural regeneration and the healthy growth of the new forest. To diversify the stand and optimize its resilience to hazards and climate change, emphasis will also be placed on developing 4 other tree species whose natural regeneration has been noted in the chestnut grove: hawthorn, scrub oak, holm oak and juniper.

![Karystos-4.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Karystos_4_53fca25f11.jpg)

### Setting up a weather station to help manage the project

In parallel with the forestry project, the installation of a local weather station is planned to support the management of silvicultural activities. The station will comprise wind speed and direction sensors, an air temperature sensor, a rain gauge, a total solar radiation sensor, a soil temperature and humidity sensor, a data logger, a solar panel, a battery for power supply and a GSM card for telematic data transmission. “We believe that an in situ meteorological station is very important in helping to make decisions about the management of the project and the forest in general,” says Dr. Gavriil Spyroglou. “Indeed, we pay particular attention to the amount and distribution of precipitation, which are key variables for most of the interventions we plan to implement as part of the project between now and 2027.”

Situated at an altitude of 1,000 metres, almost at the summit of Mount Ochi, the Kastanologos forest lies at the level of a climatic buffer zone, influenced by the mountains and subject to temperature and precipitation variations and powerful winds. The meteorological station will provide precise, localized meteorological information, which will help to adapt silvicultural measures for adequate natural regeneration of the chestnut grove. It will also contribute to research into the long-term climate and the effects of climate change on high-altitude forests in general, with a view to developing adaptive management strategies to mitigate these effects and guarantee their long-term survival. Finally, the station will enable the collection of environmental data that are essential for studying the relationship between climate and biodiversity. By understanding the climatic conditions that support specific habitats and species, it will then be possible to assess the potential impacts of climate change on this particular forest ecosystem and develop a sustainable plan for the regeneration and conservation of the Kastanologos chestnut grove.

![Karystos-3.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Karystos_3_9451339e6c.jpg)

**Thanks to its scientific research component, which supports the forestry work carried out to regenerate the Kastanologos chestnut grove, the project meets the need for knowledge and expertise in the regeneration and expansion of European forests. The dissemination of the project's results will thus contribute to the effectiveness of forest management in a context of climate change, and make available tools that can be adapted to the restoration of other mountain forests, and in particular chestnut groves, currently in a critical state in Europe.
At Kastanologos, the young forest that will emerge from the regeneration work will be more resilient to hazards and climate change, and will provide new ecological niches for the rich local biodiversity. It will also help maintain economic opportunities in the environmental engineering, crafts, cultural education and ecotourism sectors. By supporting the development of more sustainable farming practices, the project will open up additional employment opportunities for farmers and small family businesses on the island of Euboea. All benefits in line with a multifunctional vision of forests.** 


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Greece: an experimental project to safeguard a centuries-old chestnut grove

**On the heights of the Swiss Alps, between the municipalities of Guttannen and Innertkirchen, Reforest'Action is implementing an Assisted Natural Regeneration project in collaboration with local forestry stakeholders. The primary aim of this initiative is to revitalize and diversify Swiss stone pine forests, which are dominated by the iconic Alpine tree, also known as Pinus cembra or Arolla pine. With the aim of increasing their resilience to the threats raised by climate change, a series of rejuvenation measures will be implemented over a five-year period. By following a tripartite scientific protocol based on the selection of forest stations, the origin of pine seeds and the sowing method, it will be possible to foster the effective and sustainable regeneration of stone pine stands. This project not only seeks to preserve a symbol of high-altitude biodiversity, but also to establish a soft silvicultural management model that can be replicated in other areas facing similar problems.**

![Vue aérienne d'une arolière dans les Alpes suisses ](/uploads/Vue_aerienne_aroles_RNA_Innertkirchen_Suisse_01071d9ab0.jpg)

## Arolla or Swiss stone pine: an endangered emblematic species  

### The king of subalpine ecosystems

In the heart of the Swiss Alps, Canton of Bern, Reforest'Action is funding the regeneration of a species that is emblematic of the Alpine forest ecosystem. The Arolla pine, also known as Swiss stone pine or Pinus cembra, takes root between 1,300 and 2,600 meters above sea level, an altitude at which very few species survive. Beyond the upper limit of the forest, this tree grows at the highest altitudes in Europe. The Swiss stone pine thrives on a layer of rough humus: made up of slightly decomposing organic matter, this acid substrate is no problem for the Arolla pine, quite the contrary. With this type of soil and under ideal climatic conditions, this conifer of the Pinaceae family can survive for several hundred years, withstanding extreme sub-zero temperatures down to -40°C. Violent winds, snowfalls, lightning... As a long-lived tree, the Pinus cembra experiences many hostile weather events over its lifetime, which often endow it with an irregular, asymmetrical silhouette. The tree's outstanding physiological capabilities have earned it the reputation of being the "King of the Alps". Over the years, it has become a true symbol of the Swiss scenery, an emblem of great intangible and aesthetic value. 

However, the subalpine conditions required for the Arolla pine to flourish limit its range to the central European Alps, for the most part, and to the Carpathians, in a more scattered pattern. But its rarity is also due to a particular life cycle: it takes more than 40 years for the tree to reach sexual maturity and for its female flowers to bear fruit, called "cones" or "pives", containing seeds that can be dispersed. 

The Swiss stone pine also plays a major ecological role. This mountain species ensures the transition between the Alpine forest ecosystem and the treeless mountain summits. Arolla pine is almost always found mixed with larch and spruce, forming well-structured stands known as "arolières" in Swiss French. The latter are home to a great deal of plant biodiversity. In particular, they support the development of undergrowth flora, forming a carpet of heather, bilberry and ligonberry, and are home to rare flower species such as the Boreal linnet and the Alpine clematis. The open structure of these forests, interspersed with clearings, benefits many ground-feeding animals, including deer, chamois, mountain hare (a species of hare whose fur color changes with the seasons) and a wide variety of birds (spotted nutcracker, tree chaffinch, drake and music thrush, ring ouzel, tree pipit...).

### A symbiosis relationship critical to the stone pine’s survival   

The spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes) is a passerine species whose habitat corresponds to the distribution areas of the Swiss stone pine. The latter is therefore very often found where the bird nests, and their cohabitation is far from trivial: it is an excellent example of mutualism. Mutualism is a type of symbiosis between species implying that both partners derive lasting, reciprocal benefits from their association, which may even determine their survival. 

![Cassenoix moucheté posé sur les branches d'un arole](/uploads/Cassenoix_mouchete_RNA_Innertkirchen_Suisse_425441b039.jpg)

![Couple de cassenoix mouchetés posé sur les branches d'un arole](/uploads/Couple_cassenoix_RNA_Innertkirchen_Suisse_efcdd3e91d.jpg)
Spotted nutcrackers on a Swiss stone pine tree - Swiss Alps

The bird, with its chocolate-brown body dotted with white spots, feeds mainly on stone pine seeds, which it easily extracts from the tree's cones high up thanks to its powerful beak and ingenious technique. An Arolla cone contains over 100 large seeds, which the nutcracker is able to carry at once in its crop, a bird-specific organ that serves as a food reservoir. From late summer onwards, the bird works relentlessly to build up its winter food reserves, burying and hiding the harvested seeds in the ground, and in tree or rock crevices. The nutcracker builds up to ten thousand reserves of 10 seeds each in the course of a single season. Its exceptional memory enables it to find around 80% of them during the winter. 

Conversely, stone pine seed dispersal depends almost entirely on the nutcracker's diet. The conifer seeds are in fact too heavy and firmly attached to be carried by the wind. The 20% of seeds not consumed by the bird during winter are not lost. Dispersed at high altitudes, often beyond the limits of existing stone pine forests, they germinate by the following spring, ensuring the effective spread of stone pine in Alpine regions. This is why the bird's work is essential to the rejuvenation of Arolla stands, especially in the face of climate change. As the main natural propagator of Swiss stone pines, the spotted nutcracker, which had almost disappeared in the past, has become a protected species. 

### Swiss stone pine threatened by climate change

In Switzerland, the surface area of Swiss stone pine forests has declined sharply over the last centuries, as a result of large-scale clearing to create alpine meadows (mountain pastures) and harvest firewood and litter. While the sale of non-timber products (which do not require the trees to be cut down) such as essential pine oil or pine liqueur is now favoured, climate change is now threatening the survival of Arolla pines in the Swiss Alps. 

The coming decades will bring many challenges for the Swiss stone pine: higher temperatures, increased drought, changes in rainfall patterns, etc. Since the 1980s, these disturbances have been intensifying, gradually pushing the Arolla pine's limit of establishment towards the summits, to the benefit of other species better adapted to these new conditions. Larch and spruce, two fast-growing species, are competing strongly with stone pine and are steadily gaining altitude. The longevity of Pinus cembra has even become an obstacle to its survival, as the genes passed down to the young trees are suited to a much cooler, wetter environment. Although the Arolla pine has a great genetic adaptability, such adaptation takes time. What's more, the process of natural migration towards the heights, made possible by the spotted nutcracker, is no match for the frantic pace of climate change. This is why the Swiss National Forest Inventory warns about a regional decline in the surface area of "arolières" and the risk of local extinction of the stone pine species.

![Paysage de montagne enneigée avec arolière au premier plan, Alpes suisses](/uploads/Paysage_Innertkirchen_Suisse_46281c0f00.jpg)

## Supporting the natural regeneration of Swiss stone pine: a scientific protocol  

### A path to diversified, resilient stone pine forests

At an average altitude of 1,900 meters, in the municipalities of Guttannen and Innertkirchen, Reforest'Action has been conducting an Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) project in collaboration with local forestry stakeholders since 2022. The Natural Regeneration method, which respects the natural cycle of forests, makes it possible to enhance the value of existing trees, making them more diversified and resilient over the long term. Against a background of climate change, the objective here is to guarantee the survival of the Arolla pine in the Swiss Alps. The initiative therefore aims to preserve and adapt the stone pine forests to future climatic conditions, and to restore their status of diversified habitats ensuring the transition to the alpine stage.

The five project sites, each covering around ten hectares, currently comprise very few trees, but have been chosen for their specific characteristics (soil quality, exposure, plant competition, etc.), which are conducive to the development of the Arolla pine. For a period of five years, the enhancement of existing "arolières" will be combined with enrichments planting conducted according to a defined scientific protocol. A total of 300,000 stone pine seeds of different origins will be sown during the first year of implementation, with the aim of analyzing their growth success in subsequent years, and drawing useful conclusions. Rejuvenation will also make the Arolla forests more resistant and resilient in the face of climate change and severe competition from other coniferous trees. Meanwhile, the adoption of sustainable silvicultural management methods will promote stand growth, structural richness and the development of biodiversity. The return of birds, and in particular of the spotted nutcracker, will encourage the establishment of stone pine seedlings at higher altitudes, thus promoting its natural regeneration. 

![Jeune plant d'arole sur un rocher - Alpes suisses](/uploads/Jeune_arole_RNA_Innertkirchen_Suisse_d9a289ac31.jpg)

### A three-variable scientific research program

The scientific dimension of the project reinforces the relevance and viability of the actions undertaken. As a priority, the project aims to scientifically determine the most favorable conditions for Swiss stone pine regeneration. By cross-referencing stationary factors and seed origin with sowing methods, it will be possible to find the keys to an effective and sustainable natural regeneration process. This is a highly challenging task, since the success of the protocol and, ultimately, of pine seedling growth, also depends on external phenomena that are difficult to predict or manage, such as climatic and meteorological conditions, plant competition and the influence of game. The research program will be carried out over the five-year duration of the project, and may be extended for a further five years if necessary.

#### Variable #1: the selection of forest stations

The first variable of the scientific protocol is the selection of suitable areas for sowing pine tree seedlings. According to the IGN*, a forest station is "a plot of land of varying size presenting homogeneous physical and biological conditions". These conditions include mesoclimate (climate within a restricted area), topography, soil composition and spontaneous vegetation structure. Identifying forest stations enables forest managers to make guided silvicultural management choices. In the case of our project in Switzerland, soil quality was the main factor behind the choice of five locations on which to promote stone pine regeneration and test the whole methodology. Each station therefore constitutes a different natural habitat for Arolla pine. 

Each of the above-mentioned stations is then subdivided to create a mesh of "microstations". This additional subdivision reduces the experiment to the most favorable spots for sowing pine seeds. At altitude, even small differences in location can influence the success or failure of sprouting. For example, high ground as well as the vicinity of old stumps of harvested trees are ideal areas for the survival of stone pine seedlings. Between ten and fifteen microstations will be set up on each hectare, for a total of 500 experimental plots. Only one seed origin is used per microstation, so that the sequencing of trials and their success can be evaluated at a later stage.

_*IGN : French National Institute for Geographic and Forestry Information_

#### Variable #2: the origin of pine seeds	

Alongside the selection of stations, the origin of pine seeds is another major component of the scientific methodology. Pinus cembra seeds from three different regions were collected on behalf of the project: in the Aare Valley, at the botanical garden of the University of Berne and in Central Eastern Alps, which extend from northern Italy to eastern Switzerland. Despite being 100% the same species, the genome of each individual tree diverges according to where it grows: this is known as genetic biodiversity. The hypothesis raised here is that the introduction of Arolla seeds originating from further south will promote the species' regeneration in a context of rising temperatures at altitude. This method, known as "assisted migration", is one strategy for adapting tree species to climate change. The impact of the genetic characteristics of the seeds on the germination and growth of Swiss stone pines will be demonstrated in a subsequent impact analysis.

#### Variable #3: the rejuvenation methods 

The final factor to be tested, which is decisive for the successful rejuvenation of the Swiss stone pine, is the way the seeds are sown. Four sowing methods are tested for the purpose of the project, each based on different seed embedment methods. However, none of the sowing techniques chosen requires any tillage, in line with our concern to cause as little disturbance as possible to the natural environment, and in keeping with the Assisted Natural Regeneration approach. On each station, four different sowing techniques will be used:  

**1. Direct seeding:** this is the simplest method of rejuvenation. Seeds are dispersed on the ground without any prior preparation and are spread by hand to mimic natural seed dispersal.

**2. Superficial scarification and spreading:** in this case, the soil is prepared before the seeds are introduced. Surface weeds, often forming a thick straw layer, are removed to enable the seeds to root more easily after spreading.

**3. Deep scarification or burial:** this method involves sowing seeds directly into the soil, rather than spreading them on the surface. Small, localized, shallow holes are made to deposit the pine seeds.

**4. Burial and protection from animals:** identical to the previous method, this last method entails protecting seedling areas by surrounding them with a fence. Pine shoots are prized by wild ungulates, which represent a threat to their survival.

For the scientific methodology to be valid, "control" microstations will be designated, on which nothing will be done. These untouched areas will act as "counterfactuals", helping to determine whether the results obtained on the test areas are indeed due to experimental bias.  

![Arolière (peuplement d'aroles, ou pin des Alpes) dans les Alpes suisses ](/uploads/Aroles_RNA_Innertkirchen_Suisse_5d8321395f.jpg)

**Ultimately, for each forest station, the goal is to be able to select the most suitable seed origins and the most effective sowing methods, with a view to improving the recovery rate of young pines over the coming years. We expect an overall growth success rate of at least 33%. The good health of the seedlings will be monitored every year, but the concrete evaluation of the scientific results will only be possible as of the second or third year after sowing the seeds, given the slower pace of nature at this altitude.** 

Arole majestueux sur les hauteurs des Alpes suisses 

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Switzerland: ensuring the natural regeneration of Swiss stone pine through a scientific methodology 

**Located in the heart of the Millevaches Regional Nature Park in Corrèze, the [Peyrelevade](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/projects/2720) project aims to reconstitute a diversified forest while respecting the natural growth and renewal processes of forests. Reforest'Action chose the [Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR)](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/anr-expertise-thibaud-poulain) method to enhance 14,700 trees within this natural conservation site, which is part of the Natura 2000 protected areas network. Sasha Pinot, project manager for France at Reforest'Action, provides insight into why this method was chosen, its advantages, and the expected benefits of implementing the project within the framework of climate change adaptation.**

![Banniere-itw-Sasha.jpg](/uploads/Banniere_itw_Sasha_099983b1d2.jpg)

### What does the Peyrelevade project, in the Limousin region, involve?

_Sasha Pinot :_ This natural regeneration project aims to revive a diverse forest ecosystem while meticulously honoring the natural processes of growth and renewal. Today, 14,700 trees of diverse species including Douglas fir, larch, spruce, fir, and oak are being nurtured through meticulous care and effort. Ultimately, this forest in the making will contribute to local economic development, supporting the timber industry. Restoring this degraded ecosystem will help preserve the forest atmosphere and its picturesque landscape. Home to a rich biodiversity, this forest will also contribute to carbon storage and play a role in combating climate change. Located in the heart of the Millevaches Regional Nature Park in Corrèze, Limousin, this natural site holds a special place within the Natura 2000 network, a European initiative dedicated to conserving habitats and species of importance.
 
### What history does this forest have?

_Sasha Pinot :_ Both plots have been planted with Douglas fir, spruce, and Scots pine for the past 35 years. They intended to undergo clear-cutting in the years to come, to harvest the wood produced, and then to be replanted following the same intensive pattern. Clear-cutting involves abruptly opening up an area, resulting in the long-term destruction of many natural habitats essential to certain species. In most cases, it also involves the use of heavy machinery, which destroys soil life by compacting and plowing large areas. 

![Peyrelevade-1.jpg](/uploads/Peyrelevade_1_d8761206cf.jpg)
 
### How is the implementation of an ANR project necessary to restore it?

_Sasha Pinot :_ One of the primary objectives of this project is to halt the forest degradation caused by strict and simplified forest management practices. By embracing a gentler approach, such as Assisted Natural Regeneration, landowners choose not to disrupt the forest's delicate balance. To achieve this, they observe natural processes and only intervene when necessary, in specific areas. Movement within the plots is restricted to designated paths to prevent unnecessary soil compaction. This method not only allows natural cycles to unfold but also enables the silviculturist to reduce their workload, as much of the forest's maintenance is carried out naturally.  
 
### How were the species chosen for the project?

_Sasha Pinot :_ The project promotes a variety of tree species, such as Douglas fir, larch, spruce, fir, and oak, each serving multiple functions. These species are selected from both hardwood and softwood groups and are chosen for their excellent adaptation to the site conditions. Intending to achieve 80% natural regeneration, the project also fosters the growth of other species already present in the soil through their existing seeds.
 
### What's the difference between the ANR method and conventional silviculture?

_Sasha Pinot :_ Today, French forests confront numerous threats, notably those stemming from climate change. In response to these challenges and as a departure from conventional silviculture practices, the proprietors of the Peyrelevade plots have opted to transition towards Assisted Natural Regeneration.

The main distinction between intensive forestry and Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) resides in ecological succession. In a natural forest, the process begins with the germination of a select few trees. As the canopy matures and closes, conditions of shade and humidity become conducive to the development of more delicate forest species in the understorey. This understorey strengthens the ecosystem's structure, facilitating the establishment of plants over the long term until they reach maturity. Occasional disturbances, such as storms or natural die-offs, then stimulate the vitality of the ecosystem. A natural forest represents a mosaic of these stages, amalgamating diverse functional groups that mutually support one another.

In contrast, within intensively managed forests, vulnerable trees are typically planted on bare ground, thereby exposing them to various risks such as drought, flooding, and wildlife damage. Often comprised of only one or two species, these forests exhibit a simplistic environmental structure characterized by a singular stratum. Upon reaching maturity, all trees are harvested, necessitating a complete restart of the cycle. Such artificial forests lack resilience to disturbances and significantly curtail the environment's capacity for natural evolution.
However, it is imperative to enhance the resilience of our forests to ensure the continuity of their ecosystem services. Through the decision to honor the natural cycle of their forest and embrace ANR management, the proprietors of this project significantly enhanced their forest's capacity to withstand diverse threats.
 
### How will the forest, restored through Assisted Natural Regeneration (RNA), be more resilient in the face of climate change?

_Sasha Pinot :_ This will be the case on five levels:
- The enhancement of ecosystem stability is notable. Without the disruptive effects of clear-cutting, natural forests maintain a consistent vegetation cover, yielding numerous benefits. Minimal fluctuations in humidity and temperature prevail, as the soil remains shielded from direct sunlight and air currents. The intricate structure of the ecosystem endures, serving as a habitat for a myriad of species, each fulfilling its unique role. The absence of habitat destruction fosters the proliferation of diverse life forms. 
- Trees derive added benefits from supplementary resources. Depending on the species, roots extract water from various depths. The diversity of these root systems enables the exploration of a broad spectrum of water sources, crucial during periods of escalating drought. Moreover, this subterranean complexity contributes to soil structuring, mitigating erosion.  
- The diversity of tree species aids in regulating pests and diseases, which are primary contributors to forest degradation. Predominantly, these issues arise in stands with limited species diversity, as they lack natural predators. In a diversified forest, all species—including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms—compete, thus restoring equilibrium between predators and prey.
- Game damage will be minimized. Trees grown from natural seedlings are considerably less appealing to wildlife than those raised in nurseries.  
- In the long term, the forest will yield greater profitability. A diverse array of tree species ensures a harvest, even in the event of disease affecting one species. Additionally, the fertility of the environment is sustained through a dynamic cycle of organic matter, with minimal impact on the soil.

### Why talk about sustainable forest management when it comes to ANR?

_Sasha Pinot :_ By choosing Assisted Natural Regeneration, landowners cultivate high-quality wood while preserving a diverse and thriving biodiversity within the ecosystem. 

Living, productive forests naturally form across the globe, independently of human intervention. Nature provides the necessary seedlings and optimal conditions for their growth, while the diverse flora and fauna maintain a delicate balance against diseases and pests. In the natural cycle, when a tree reaches the end of its life, it falls, creating space for new growth. Young trees from natural regeneration take advantage of these openings, thriving until the canopy is restored. The Assisted Natural Regeneration (RNA) method respects these intrinsic natural principles while favoring the growth of the most beneficial trees.

The species present in the Peyrelevade stand have organically developed. A significant portion of them is local, with genetics finely attuned to the specific conditions of the region. Over time, the stand undergoes natural evolution, favoring only the most competitive and adaptive species.

Numerous instances in the region showcase owners aligning their management practices with natural processes. Situated at the heart of the Millevaches Regional Nature Park, the Peyrelevade project actively contributes to this network, gradually restoring the French forest to its historical state. Its PEFC certification serves as additional confirmation of its commitment to sustainable management, reflecting a comprehensive understanding of the forest's multifunctional role. The PEFC label assures the stringent adherence to precise regulations by all forest stakeholders, including owners, operators, and forestry contractors.

To obtain the PEFC label, various commitments must be upheld, including promoting a diverse array of tree species, abstaining from fertilizer use, safeguarding soil integrity, preserving local fauna and flora, and maintaining dead trees, essential for biodiversity promotion.
 
### How does RNA contribute to sustainable wood production? 

_Sasha Pinot :_ The overarching goal of the Peyrelevade project is to establish a diversified, multifunctional, and resilient forest, while simultaneously benefiting the local economy. 

Unlike conventional silviculture, timber is not harvested from a large area in a single block. The forest's intricate structure calls for more regular, localized harvesting. For instance, rather than harvesting an entire parcel every 80 years, the silviculturist opts to selectively remove only the finest trees every 5 years. Despite the differing approaches, the financial returns remain nearly identical. However, under Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) management, the silviculturist benefits from more consistent income.

Implementing this method requires the expertise of skilled tradespeople, and sizable trees must be transported to specialized, smaller sawmills tailored for such operations. These ANR conversion initiatives not only create employment opportunities but also inspire younger generations to acquire and revive traditional knowledge. 

Moreover, Corrèze, being a heavily forested region with ample rainfall and a temperate climate, provides an ideal environment for forest development. Given these favorable conditions, the wood yielded by the Peyrelevade project will be of exceptional quality, thereby benefiting the entire local industry, including forest managers, loggers, and sawmill operators. 
 
### Une gestion forestière en RNA permet-elle de séquestrer autant de carbone qu’une gestion classique ?

_Sasha Pinot :_ The Peyrelevade project stands out notably for its carbon sequestration capabilities. Similar to conventional plantations, the trees continuously sequester carbon throughout their lifespan. This carbon is responsibly stored when the wood is utilized in construction or furniture. Additionally, the ANR method offers an added advantage over traditional silvicultural practices: the preservation of soil carbon. Unlike forests that export their entire production, this type of forest allows for the unimpeded growth of undergrowth and retention of deadwood. As this organic matter decomposes, the carbon it contains remains within the soil, preventing its release into the atmosphere, a common occurrence after clear-cutting and plowing.

It should be noted, however, that while carbon storage is a good indicator for studying climate change, it cannot be used to judge the quality of a forest. For instance, an intensive Douglas-fir monoculture will sequester more carbon on the same surface area than a diversified forest. Yet it is not sustainable, and its ecological value and resilience are much lower.
 
![Peyrelevade-2.jpg](/uploads/Peyrelevade_2_100b04280f.jpg)
 

**As Assisted Natural Regeneration harnesses existing resources to preserve and fortify forest heritage, fostering long-term diversity and resilience, it emerges as particularly pertinent in the face of climate change. However, for ANR initiatives to materialize, funding is essential, notably from companies eager to contribute to forest restoration. Swiss Life Asset Managers exemplifies this commitment by supporting the Peyrelevade project showcased in this article. Across France, Reforest'Action is spearheading ecosystem regeneration endeavors rooted in the Assisted Natural Regeneration method, thanks to funding from dedicated corporate partners.**


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"Assisted Natural Regeneration allows forests to be more resilient in the face of climate change": an interview with Sasha Pinot

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À la création de notre laboratoire photo, 2 technologies possibles ! Il était évident de faire le choix le plus écologique.

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Gmelina arborea

Mouroungue

Acacia mangium

Palétuvier rouge

Manguier

Oranger

Avocatier

Anacardier

In this sensitive environmental context, Reforest’Action works in partnership with a Guinean NGO, RENASCEDD (National Network of Civil Society for Environment and Sustainable Development), to plant around 161,416 trees in the Boffa prefecture, a hundred kilometres north of Conakry. 

The project helps restore degraded forests around the associated villages and develop agroforestry. Thanks to the mangroves or forest-gardens, the forest ecosystems thus recreated will offer a multitude of priceless services for the climate, nature and local populations.

NO_POVERTY

ZERO_HUNGER

AFFORDABLE_AND_CLEAN_ENERGY

DECENT_WORK_AND_ECONOMIC_GROWTH

SUSTAINABLE_CITIES_AND_COMMUNITIES

CLIMATE_ACTION

LIFE_BELOW_WATER

LIFE_ON_LAND

PARTNERSHIP_FOR_THE_GOALS

Supports human well-being, by providing resources, income, education, empowerment, and supporting culture and spirituality.

Preservation of local biodiversity by providing suitable habitats and resources.

Contributes to the mitigation of the greenhouse effect and influences precipitation patterns and the local microclimate.

Influences the quality and integrity of the soil-water system, and the cycling of water and nutrients.

Guinea Conakry is experiencing increasing degradation of its environment and forests, posing a threat to present and future generations. Traditional agriculture, artisanal salt extraction, fish smoking, mining and the population explosion are the main causes of deforestation in rural areas. Guinea's coastal areas have also suffered greatly from mangrove deforestation, with direct consequences for the living conditions of local populations.

RENASCEDD (Réseau National de la Société Civile pour l'Environnement et le Développement Durable - National Civil Society Network for the Environment and Sustainable Development) is an NGO created in 2016 by Sekou Amadou Diakité, headquartered in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. A non-political, non-profit organization, the network brings together non-state actors working in the environmental field. It is made up of young people committed to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development. RENASCEDD collaborates with various development partners, such as the UNDP (United Nations Development Program), the GEF (European Globalisation Adjustment Fund), Guinean administrative authorities and local elected representatives. Thanks to funding from Reforest'Action, RENASCEDD is able to deploy reforestation projects in Guinea alongside local communities.

In Guinea, the reforestation project aims to create garden forests to enable local people to harvest fruit and diversify their sources of income through agroforestry. It also aims to plant mangroves to restore coastlines and combat rising sea levels. 
In a sensitive environmental context, marked by increasing deforestation, Reforest'Action has joined forces with a Guinean NGO, RENASCEDD (Réseau National de la Société Civile pour l'Environnement et le Développement Durable - National Civil Society Network for the Environment and Sustainable Development), to plant trees.

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Spekboom

Reforest’Action is joining forces with C4 EcoSolutions and AfriCarbon, two South African companies into the protected reserves of Kuzuko and Koedoeskloof. The goal is to restore these ecosystems by planting more than 500,000 seeds of Spekboom, a local species which is essential to the ecological functioning of the region. The project will develop a new sustainable grazing management system to improve the carrying capacity of livestock without degrading the environment. Numerous benefits will also be generated: the return of biodiversity, including a population of elephants, rainwater infiltration improvement, restoration of arable land and improve the living conditions of the local populations.

Within the Eastern Cape, in South Africa, land desertification is due to the increasing pressure of livestock on pastureland. Nowadays, the increasing scarcity of vegetation cover and the degradation of local farmers’ land and surrounding reserves are causing many negative environmental effects, such as the drying up of water resources, loss of biodiversity and soil erosion. The plantation areas are made up of former degraded pastures, and are located close to areas that have been protected for several decades.

The project is led in the field by Anthony Mills, a geochemist and expert in environmental development projects. He is the founder of two companies, AfriCarbon in 2009 and C4 EcoSolutions in 2015, which ensure the technical and operational deployment of the project.

Reforest’Action is joining forces with C4 EcoSolutions and AfriCarbon, two South African companies into the protected reserves of Kuzuko and Koedoeskloof. The goal is to restore these ecosystems by planting seeds of Spekboom, a local species which is essential to the ecological functioning of the region. The project will develop a new sustainable grazing management system to improve the carrying capacity of livestock without degrading the environment. Numerous benefits will also be generated: the return of biodiversity, including a population of elephants, rainwater infiltration improvement, restoration of arable land and improve the living conditions of the local populations.

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Douglas

Sapin de Bornmuller

Tilleul à petites feuilles

Cette parcelle forestière de 7,50 hectares de la forêt domaniale d’Escandorgue dans l’Hérault accueille désormais les 14 100 arbres du projet. Située à proximité du parc naturel régional du Haut-Languedoc, elle se trouve au sein d’une zone naturelle d’intérêt écologique, faunistique et floristique de niveau 2. Malheureusement, la tempête Klaus a frappé la forêt en 2009, ravageant une grande partie de son peuplement qui ne montrait, jusqu’à présent, plus aucun signe de régénération naturelle. Ce reboisement sera l’occasion de diversifier les essences afin de rendre le massif forestier plus résistant. En variant sa composition, le peuplement pourra accueillir une plus grande biodiversité. En outre, la captation de carbone sera un autre atout de ce projet, qui permettra à la forêt de participer à la lutte contre le réchauffement climatique. A terme, les arbres plantés assureront une continuité forestière sur la zone et participeront à la formation d’un patrimoine forestier résilient.

Supports human well-being, by providing resources, income, education, and supporting recreation and heritage.

This 7.50-hectare plot of forest in the Escandorgue state forest in the Hérault department is now home to the project's 14,100 trees. Located close to the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park, it is part of a level 2 Natural Area of Ecological, Faunistic and Floristic Interest. Unfortunately, storm Klaus hit the forest in 2009, devastating a large part of the stand, which until now had shown no signs of natural regeneration. This reforestation will provide an opportunity to diversify the tree species to make the forest more resilient. By varying its composition, the stand will be able to accommodate greater biodiversity. Carbon capture will also be another of the project's assets, enabling the forest to contribute to the fight against global warming. Ultimately, the trees planted will ensure forest continuity in the area and contribute to the creation of a resilient forest heritage.

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Néflier

Saule à oreilles

Pommier sauvage

Pommier commun

Lilas commun

Noisetier commun

Poirier commun

Prunellier

Saule Blanc

Saule des vanniers

Saule Marsault

Alisier torminal

Amélanchier à feuilles ovales

Arbousier

Arbre à miel

Arbre de Judée

Mûrier blanc

Argousier

Aubépine à deux styles

Aubépine petites feuilles

Bourdaine

Cerisier de Sainte-Lucie

Charme commun

Chêne pédonculé

Chêne sessile (rouvre)

Cognassier

Cormier

Cornouiller sanguin

Cornouiller mâle

Frêne à fleurs

Églantier

Eglantier à couleur de rouille

Érable sycomore

Framboisier heritage

Frêne commun

Fusain d'Europe

Hêtre commun

Nerprun alaterne

Sorbier des oiseleurs

Sureau à grappes

Tilleul à grandes feuilles

Troene commun

Viorne Lantane

Bouleau commun

Aulne glutineux

Nerprun purgatif

Merisier

Grenadier

Figuier commun

En Occitanie, Reforest'Action et l'association Haies Ariégeoises ont établi un partenariat afin de financer des projets de haies bocagères. Les enjeux sont multiples, au regard de la diversité d’acteurs concernés : agriculteurs, éleveurs, maraîchers, apiculteurs, etc. Cette zone participe à l'accueil et le développement de la biodiversité qui lutte contre les parasites au sein des cultures. Par ailleurs, les haies à vocation mellifère accueillent les pollinisateurs, à l’avantage des apiculteurs. Les haies offrent un effet brise-vent et d’ombrage mais aussi une barrière contre la pollution diffuse des produits phytosanitaires. Leur effet structurant limite le ruissellement et l’érosion des sols. Enfin, cette implantation participe à la lutte contre le changement climatique grâce à la séquestration du carbone par les arbres.

GOOD_HEALTH_AND_WELL_BEING

CLEAN_WATER_AND_SANITATION

Since 2019, Reforest'Action and the Haies Ariégeoises association have established a partnership, to provide funding for hedgerows in the Ariège department. The association offers technical and financial support to project sponsors. The challenges are many and varied, depending on the profile of the owners: farmers, stockbreeders, beekeepers, etc...

In Occitanie, Reforest'Action and the Haies Ariégeoises association have set up a partnership to finance hedgerow projects. The stakes are high, given the diversity of parties involved: farmers, stockbreeders, market gardeners, beekeepers, and so on. This area helps to host and develop the biodiversity that fights pests within crops. In addition, melliferous hedges welcome pollinators, to the benefit of beekeepers. Hedges provide windbreaks and shade, and also act as a barrier against diffuse pollution from phytosanitary products. Their structuring effect limits runoff and soil erosion. Last but not least, hedge planting helps combat climate change thanks to the carbon sequestration effect of the trees.

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Aulne andin

Châtaignier

Chêne

Pin sylvestre

Sapin Grandis (Vancouver)

Epicéa commun

Bouleau

En Nouvelle-Aquitaine, cette forêt de Corrèze se situe sur les pentes des gorges de la Dordogne, en zone Natura 2000. La présence de cervidés impacte notamment les douglas, qui sont écorcés jusqu'à des diamètres de 30 cm. En outre, les travaux de cloisonnements d'exploitation réalisés dans le passé ont causé un excès de lumière et les parcelles ont été colonisées par la ronce et la fougère. Le projet repose sur l’application de travaux sylvicoles visant à éclaircir les zones trop denses tout en laissant le bois mort au sol, un obstacle aux cervidés. En parallèle, d'autres essences viennent enrichir et diversifier les espaces dépourvus de régénération naturelle. À terme, le bois mort enrichira le sol en matière organique, et améliorera la stabilité du sol et la résistance à l'érosion. En plus de la diversité d'essences apportée, des îlots de sénescence seront identifiés et préservés afin de maintenir des habitats pour la faune et la flore locale.

In New Aquitaine, this forest of Creuse is located on the slopes of the Dordogne gorges, on a Natura 2000 site. It is appreciated by deer that feed on the bark of Douglas fir trees whose diameter is less than 30 cm. Past partitioning work has caused excess light and the plots have been colonized by bramble and fern.

This project is based on completing silvicultural work aimed at thinning out the areas that are too dense while leaving the dead wood on the ground, an obstacle to deer. 
At the same time, other species enrich and diversify the areas without natural regeneration. Eventually, the dead wood will enrich the soil with organic matter, and improve soil stability and resistance to erosion. 
In addition to the diversity of species provided, islands of senescence will be identified and preserved to maintain habitats for local flora and fauna.

Bénéfices estimés des arbres plantés ou préservés

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Actualités de Reforest'Action

Greece: an experimental project to safeguard a centuries-old chestnut grove

Switzerland: ensuring the natural regeneration of Swiss stone pine through a scientific methodology

"Assisted Natural Regeneration allows forests to be more resilient in the face of climate change": an interview with Sasha Pinot