**Defined by the IUCN in 2009, the concept of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) is founded on the idea that natural processes, and not just technological ones, can make a significant contribution to tackling major contemporary challenges such as climate change and biodiversity erosion. Nature provides vital services to all living things, and in particular to humankind. It is therefore essential to preserve, restore and manage it sustainably to ensure our future.**

![Nature-Based-Solutions-forest.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Nature_Based_Solutions_forest_f54ea0ac1f.jpg)

## What are Nature-based Solutions?

Nature-based Solutions are defined by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as “actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems to directly address societal challenges in an effective and adaptive manner, while ensuring human well-being and producing benefits for biodiversity.”

This concept was formulated by IUCN at the Copenhagen Conference in 2009, when forests were proposed as a solution for mitigating climate change. It was at COP21 in 2015 that the place of Nature-based Solutions in climate action was recognized by States, notably via the Paris Agreement.

These are actions that aim to protect, restore and sustainably manage natural ecosystems - be they forests, rivers, wetlands or even bocage meadows - in a logic of mutual benefit, since these ecosystems generate benefits for humanity. Nature-based Solutions also bring benefits for [biodiversity](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/what-biodiversity-definition-and-issues), by integrating this objective into the very design and implementation of these actions.

![EN_NbS.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/EN_Nb_S_775d13cbc8.jpg)

## How are ecosystems and human societies interconnected?

### A multitude of services to humanity

Ecosystems are multifunctional by nature. The variety of ecosystem functions they produce are not man-made, but the result of slow, patient work shaped by Nature over millions of years. Today, [natural ecosystems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/reconnecting-living-sustainable-humanity) make vital contributions to people's lives, such as the production of food, energy and raw materials, as well as a multitude of ecosystem services. For example, forests store carbon, regulate the water cycle, limit local heat peaks, reduce the risk of soil runoff and landslides, and meet vital human needs such as the production of timber and energy, food and medicinal products, and places of well-being and recreation.

### Nature's services to human societies are not unlimited

The worldwide overexploitation of ecosystems leads to their degradation, and thus to their inability to provide resources in the long term. The Global Footprint Network's annual Earth Overshoot Day is a direct illustration of this idea. This date, which marks the day when humanity has consumed all the natural resources the Earth can produce in one year, is obtained by comparing mankind's ecological footprint (which measures the exploitation of the Earth's natural resources) with the planet's biocapacity (its capacity to replenish its reserves and absorb greenhouse gases). Still in surplus in 1961, with a quarter of its reserves unused, the Earth became in deficit in the early 1970s. This day was changed from October 10 in 1999 to August 1 in 2024.

In most regions of the world today, Nature has been significantly altered by multiple human factors, and the vast majority of indicators relating to ecosystems and biodiversity show a rapid decline. For example, the IPBES estimates that today :

- 75% of natural terrestrial environments are degraded;
- 66% of oceans have been altered;
- 85% of wetlands have disappeared;
- 5% of the world's animal and plant species are threatened.

Forests, which are home to 80% of the Earth's biodiversity and support 25% of the world's population, are in constant decline. On a global scale, forest area today represents around 68% of its estimated pre-industrial level. According to the FAO, 240 million hectares of forest were lost to deforestation in tropical zones between 1990 and 2015. In temperate zones, the effects of climate change are affecting forest health: 42% of tree species are now threatened with extinction in Europe, according to the IUCN. Forest animal biodiversity has fallen by [53%](https://www.dw.com/en/worlds-forest-animal-population-sinks-drastically-wwf-report/a-50015580) since 1970.

### Ecosystem degradation also weakens populations

Ecosystems, biodiversity and climate are interdependent. Ecosystems and their biodiversity influence climate, helping to regulate temperature and precipitation. They are essential players in the carbon, water and nitrogen cycles. They help absorb some of the heat and greenhouse gases emitted by human activities. These feedbacks between climate and biodiversity are at the origin of the dynamic balance of the environment in which human societies have developed, and which is today affected by both climate and ecosystem changes. Alterations to ecosystems and the climate-biodiversity pair make human beings more vulnerable, with the loss of food sources, the deterioration of water quality, the [development of new diseases](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/destruction-ecosystems-favours-rise-new-diseases-and-pandemics) and the exposure of societies to extreme climatic events (droughts, storms, etc.).

Strategies and actions to combat climate change must therefore not only drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also invest in protecting ecosystems. [Healthy ecosystems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/ecosystem-restoration-essential-climate-and-biodiversity) not only help mitigate climate change, but also enable human societies to adapt to its consequences.

![Wooded hills with women's tree-planting communities](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Nature_based_solutions_communities_c9eebab421.jpg)

## Nature-based solutions for today's societal challenges

### Preserving nature is essential to ensure the future of human societies and businesses

According to the IUCN, the use of NbS would enable us to achieve current societal objectives such as :

- Reducing natural hazards
- Socio-economic development
- Food security
- Water and energy supply
- Health and well-being for all
- Adapting territories to climate change
- Mitigating the effects of climate change on populations (rising sea levels, fires, heatwaves...)

According to the IPBES, these natural solutions will account for 37% of the climate change mitigation measures needed by 2030 to achieve the goal of global warming below 2°C by 2100. But implementing NbS on the scale required to meet these societal challenges requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including private sector companies.

### Forests: a key component of Nature-based Solutions

NbS value the services provided by ecosystems that have been preserved, restored or sustainably managed, and are based on various underlying concepts listed by the IUCN. Among these Nature-based Solutions is the restoration of forest landscapes. This process aims to mobilize and involve local communities in restoring the multifunctionality of forests, in order to sustainably meet human needs. This type of project can be implemented through a variety of actions involving the preservation, restoration and sustainable management of forests. All these actions enhance forest biodiversity, and increase carbon capture, which helps mitigate the risks of climate change:
- Preservation of existing forests in good ecological condition
- Restoration of degraded forests or creation of forest ecosystems
- Adoption of sustainable forest management practices
- Creation of protected areas (national or regional parks, nature reserves, etc.) to protect associated territories and preserve ecosystem services
- Reforestation and ecological restoration of degraded forest habitats using adapted and diverse species, giving priority to indigenous species;
- Creation of hedgerows and [agroforestry systems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/agroforestry) to regulate climate and the water cycle, conserve soil and create biological corridors for flora and fauna;
- Exclusion of unsustainable practices such as monospecific plantations, clear-cutting that weakens soils and overexploitation of stands;
- Development of [Assisted Natural Regeneration](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/assisted-natural-regeneration-complementary-solution-tree-planting-restore-degraded-forests);
- Creation of islands of senescence, made up of ageing trees which, as they decompose, promote the fertility of forest soils, the main reservoir of biodiversity in the forest;
- Promoting wood products from sustainably managed forests.

![Nature-based-solutions-overview.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Nature_based_solutions_overview_9e487805c8.jpg)

## Developing Nature-based Solutions with Reforest'Action

Reforest'Action offers Nature-based Solutions that enable companies to:
- Contribute to [global carbon neutrality](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/carbon-neutrality-solutions)
- Develop [regenerative agriculture](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/regenerative-agriculture) within their value chains 
- Support the [restoration of forest ecosystems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/ecosystems-restoration) 

Our mission: to regenerate terrestrial ecosystems on a large scale to meet global environmental challenges and support corporate climate and transformation strategies, drawing on our field experience, local communities, research and technology. 

Today, our 1,650 forest and agroforestry projects in 45 countries are creating multiple impacts, based on the stability of ecosystems over time, to combat climate change, protect biodiversity and support local communities. Each project financed by Reforest'Action is thus at the heart of global climate action and Nature-based Solutions. 

At the heart of our approach, monitoring the impact of our projects via our [Research & Development team](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/the-impact) also enables us to optimize their results and deliver reliable and transparent data to investors, by means of key performance indicators, regarding the value generated by our Nature-based Solutions.


**Drawing on the role of healthy ecosystems for human life and the well-being of all, Nature-based Solutions address both climate and biodiversity issues. It is crucial to encourage their development at all scales to meet the Sustainable Development Goals formulated by the UN, and to direct more funds towards restoration in order to act more rapidly and effectively in favor of the climate and biodiversity at the service of all Living Things. If you're interested in Nature-based Solutions, and forestry in particular, please [contact us](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/contact).**



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What are Nature-based Solutions?

**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

**The monitoring of forestry projects after they have been implemented is fundamental and a cornerstone of our action. Reforest'Action has a rigorous monitoring process, adapted to geographical zones and project types. In France and Europe, remote monitoring is complemented by a field audit carried out by Reforest'Action project managers at least once during the first five years following project implementation. Analysis of the data generated by this monitoring process is used to formulate management recommendations and apply corrective measures as part of a continuous improvement process. Here are the results of the monitoring campaign carried out between April and November 2023 on a panel of projects located in Europe.**

![Saint-Angel-2.jpg](/uploads/Saint_Angel_2_6e5de276b1.jpg)
 
## Monitor projects remotely to assess their health
### What is the remote project monitoring protocol?

Remote monitoring is based on information transmitted by the project implementers (forest owners or managers) via a digital data collection tool and, where applicable, by telephone. Reforest'Action project managers then analyze the data, which includes tree survival rates, plot health, potential damage, the presence of biodiversity-friendly elements, and actions taken by the plot owner or manager to ensure the success of the project.

This remote monitoring enables us to check the general condition of the projects and the proper development of the stands, to enrich Reforest'Action's knowledge of each project and to prepare for future field visits. 
 
### What are the results of remote monitoring in 2023?
 
#### Evaluating the survival rate

In 2023, 294 data forms from projects in France and the rest of Europe were received and processed by Reforest'Action as part of the distant monitoring campaign in 2023. These forms submitted by the project implementers reported an average survival rate of 79.84%. This rate measures the number of healthy trees in relation to the total number of trees planted as part of a project. In total, by 2023, 71% of remotely monitored projects across Europe will have a very good survival rate, of 80% or more.  
 
#### Game and drought, two frequent causes of damage

The most common types of damage to young forests are those inflicted by game, which affected almost half of the projects monitored in Europe in 2023, but also those linked to climate. Drought episodes, characterized by prolonged rainfall deficits and increasingly frequent in a context of global warming, had an impact on 60.2% of projects monitored remotely across Europe in 2023. Despite these frequent biotic and climatic hazards, only 3.74% of projects actually suffer from poor overall health according to the remote surveys, representing a cumulative total of 3,370.66 hectares, or around 4 million plants.
 
### What corrective measures will be put in place for projects that need them?

For projects with less satisfactory survival rates, corrective measures will be implemented in accordance with the contractual commitment of the project implementers. For example, replanting, which consists of renewing planting operations in areas where reforestation has failed, may be carried out to enable these projects to approach a survival rate of 80%.

From Reforest'Action's point of view, these projects will be monitored more closely in the coming year, to verify the improvement in stand health. In the rare case of a project subject to a major hazard, such as a fire or flood, Reforest'Action observes the evolution of the post-hazard ecosystem to decide on the best course of action. This is a long-term, case-by-case process. 

In addition, we recommend that, before planting, project implementers use the funding they receive not only to carry out planting operations, but also to properly prepare the plots and protect the young seedlings from the teeth of game. 

![Suivi-terrain_Maine-et-loire_2023_ReforestAction-20.jpg](/uploads/Suivi_terrain_Maine_et_loire_2023_Reforest_Action_20_e65576b8e3.jpg)
 
## Audit projects in the field to ensure their success
### How does Reforest'Action select the projects audited in the field?

Field monitoring is carried out by Reforest'Action project managers within the region for which they are responsible. Because there are so many projects to monitor (over 1,500 projects have been developed in France and Europe since 2010), field monitoring is prioritized before each annual campaign. The aim of this prioritization is to first target projects for which remote monitoring has revealed potential problems. It also aims to ensure that all projects will be monitored in the field at least once during the five years following a project's operational implementation. 
 
### What does involve a project monitoring in the field?

In order to carry out field monitoring, sampling is first carried out within the plot concerned, in order to determine sub-plots that are considered representative of the plot's general condition: some sub-plots are thus established within a dense vegetation zone, others within a zone with a low survival rate, and still others according to the plot's specific topographical conditions (altitude, slope level, rocky or wet environment...). This stratification process, which can be carried out by remote sensing, enables us to set up an operational monitoring system that reflects the reality of the project as objectively as possible. 

Within these plots, a manual count is then carried out by the Reforest'Action project manager, who records the number of living and dead trees, the species observed and the potential presence of natural regeneration. Each type of project (forestry or agroforestry projects, urban micro-forestry projects, Assisted Natural Regeneration projects or Low-Carbon label projects) has its own monitoring protocol defined by Reforest'Action.  
 
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### What are the results of field monitoring in 2023?
 
In 2023, field audits took place from April to November. For all 204 projects visited by Reforest'Action in Europe during this period, the average recovery rate was 88.43%.
 
#### 90% of projects validated

Of these 204 projects, 182 (or almost 90% of the projects audited) have been validated by Reforest'Action, i.e. the project manager has assessed that the future of the ecosystem is assured given its evolution. This validation takes into account the project's survival rate, which must be greater than 80% of the total density, including natural regeneration. 

Among the validated projects, the one in Hardelot, Pas-de-Calais, was visited by Laetitia Bernard, Reforest'Action's East of France project manager. _“This project was carried out between 2017 and 2018 to restore a forest affected by ash chalarosis, a parasitic disease that causes the trees it affects to die back,”_ explains Laetitia. _“During our field audit in 2023, we noted an excellent recovery of the planted trees, close to 90%, despite the regular droughts that have affected the department since 2017. Composed of beech, small-leaf lime and hornbeam, the young forest restored thanks to the project is now enriched by clumps of black alder, naturally regenerated and preserved by the forest manager to further accentuate the diversity of the stand. Hardelot is a fine example of a successful project, validated by Reforest'Action's field monitoring."_
 
#### 10% of projects to be corrected

For the remaining 22 projects, considered as “to be corrected”, Reforest'Action formulated written or oral recommendations to forest owners, proposing corrective actions to be implemented or pursued in order to ensure the health and sustainability of the forest ecosystem. 

_“This is the case, for example, of the La Tour-de-Sçay project in the Doubs region of France"_, continues Laetitia Bernard. _“The initial work, carried out in 2019, was aimed at reforesting a plot formerly populated by spruce trees affected by the bark beetle, a wood-eating insect. The species initially chosen were Douglas fir, field maple and walnut. But the Douglas fir seedlings didn't take well. They were replaced by cedars in 2020. When we followed up in the field in 2023, the recovery rate of the cedars was very good. On the other hand, we noted the failure of the maple and walnut plantations, despite two attempts at replanting. We therefore decided, in agreement with the forest manager, to support the natural regeneration of beech, fir and oak trees observed on the plot, and to supplement it with new cedar seedlings, which are particularly well adapted to the site. This evolutionary management of the project will optimize the health and stability of the forest ecosystem."_
 
### A central observation: the need to adapt forests to climate change

In the field, the same trend was observed as in the distant follow-up with regard to the most frequently observed damage: 44.6% of the projects audited in 2023 were affected by biotic hazards, particularly game, and 32% by climatic damage, mainly linked to drought. 

_“These field audits confirm the need to adapt tomorrow's forests to climate change, and to rely on species that are already present and more resistant via the Assisted Natural Regeneration method"_, says Thibaud Poulain, Head of Reforest'Action's Temperate Forests Division. _“The diversification of tree species, in particular, is key to increasing the stability and resilience of ecosystems in the face of future hazards. The selection of different tree species in the design of projects is therefore one of the pillars of Reforest'Action's specifications."_

![Suivi_terrain_Saint-Christol-1_Reforestaction-25.jpg](/uploads/Suivi_terrain_Saint_Christol_1_Reforestaction_25_3f1f11c124.jpg)

## Ecocert Environnement certification

In addition to Reforest'Action's remote and field monitoring protocol, a partnership with Ecocert Environnement was set up in 2020 to have our projects verified by an independent third party. Ecocert Environnement is an auditor specializing in the certification and control of environmental projects, and verifies a series of criteria based on a sampling protocol for projects financed by Reforest'Action. 

In particular, Ecocert Environnement check the name and location of the forestry project, the year the work was carried out, the species planted or regenerated, the health of the plot, the survival rate observed, as well as the reality of the financing raised by Reforest'Action and compliance with the general terms and conditions of sale. 

At each audit visit, Ecocert Environnement's conclusions are backed up by corrective measures that enable us to pursue our continuous improvement approach. In 2023, a panel of 17 projects was audited by Ecocert Environnement, of which 16 were validated and 1 remains to be corrected.

Ecocert Environnement also carries out an administrative review of projects and their management, which includes checking forest owners' commitments, invoices for plant purchases and certificates of origin.
 
![Suivi_terrain_Saint-Jean-Chambre_Reforestaction-05.jpg](/uploads/Suivi_terrain_Saint_Jean_Chambre_Reforestaction_05_33a2f1dc67.jpg)

**In a context of climate change and increased risk of hazards inherent in natural ecosystems, we make it a priority to monitor the projects we develop. This operational monitoring phase aims to verify the success of projects over the five years following their implementation. An impact measurement process will then be deployed on certain projects from the sixth year onwards, to assess the health and stability of the ecosystem and measure the impacts generated by the project on the climate, biodiversity, the soil-water system and the socio-economic sphere. Measuring all these impacts will enable us to observe the multifunctionality of ecosystems, and check their resistance and renewal in the face of disturbance. This will make it easier to support projects over the long term, by implementing a management approach that is increasingly adapted to their evolution.**

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Projects monitoring in Europe: a rigorous process for assessing the health of restored ecosystems

**While a quarter of all known plant and animal species are now endangered, initiatives continue to develop to help preserve them. Among these, The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) is the only international standard to recognize and encourage the protection, restoration and enhancement of biodiversity. As part of the TGBS technical and scientific network, Reforest'Action contributes its expertise in forest ecosystem restoration and impact measurement to develop remote sensing monitoring tools, particularly for assessing plant biodiversity.**
 
![Global-Biodiversity-Standard-0.jpg](/uploads/Global_Biodiversity_Standard_0_2bb73c5ee0.jpg)

## Global biodiversity under threat
 
With a quarter of known plant and animal species now on the brink of extinction, biodiversity loss is one of the top five global risks to society over the next ten years, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Risk Report 2023. Synonymous with biological diversity, biodiversity encompasses the taxonomic, functional and structural diversity of living species. Through the ecological services it provides, biodiversity is essential to maintaining the integrity and resilience of ecosystems. 

Among the main indicators of global biodiversity loss, the decline in the extent of forests underlines their essential role as reservoirs of terrestrial biodiversity when they were the native ecosystem in place. They are home to over 80% of the planet's known terrestrial species. In this respect, a better understanding and preservation of forest biodiversity is essential to help halt the onset of the sixth mass extinction.
 
![Global-Biodiversity-Standard-1.jpg](/uploads/Global_Biodiversity_Standard_1_4d330f21cc.jpg)

## The creation of an international standard dedicated to biodiversity
 
### The ambition of the Global Biodiversity Standard

Introduced in 2022, [The Global Biodiversity Standard](https://www.biodiversitystandard.org/) (TGBS) is the only international standard to recognize and encourage the protection, restoration and enhancement of biodiversity. Against a backdrop of increasing numbers of forest creation and restoration projects, this standard aims to develop best practices for creating positive impacts on biodiversity, notably by diversifying tree communities and integrating native species into project design. In the long term, The Global Biodiversity Standard hopes to place biodiversity at the heart of all initiatives that help combat climate change and develop the livelihoods of local communities.
 
### Towards the certification of projects based on the restoration and protection of biodiversity

Based on an international scientific and technical network that includes IUCN & Botanic Garden Conservation International, CIFOR-ICRAF, Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew), Society for Ecological Restoration and Reforest'Action, The Global Biodiversity Standard is currently testing its certification method in real-life conditions, in collaboration with botanical gardens in India, Kenya, Peru, Brazil, Madagascar, Uganda, Malaysia, Jordan and Hong Kong. 

Projects submitted for The Global Biodiversity Standard certification will be assessed against criteria derived from the “10 Golden Rules for Reforestation”. This scientific paper, promulgated by Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew) and Botanic Garden Conservation International, provides guidance on how to ensure that reforestation projects promote biodiversity restoration, carbon sequestration and the creation of socio-economic benefits for local communities. 

Projects certified by The Global Biodiversity Standard must:
- Select appropriate sites to enhance native biodiversity.
- Enhance protection of existing habitats and biodiversity.
- Protect, restore and manage biodiversity in consultation and partnership with local communities and other stakeholders.
- Aim to maximise biodiversity recovery through ecosystem restoration.
- Avoid and reduce invasive or potentially invasive species.
- Prioritise the use of native, threatened and rare species.
- Promote biodiversity and adaptive capacity.
- Implement robust monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management of biodiversity.
 
 ![Global-Biodiversity-Standard-2.jpg](/uploads/Global_Biodiversity_Standard_2_0ed75a2841.jpg)
 
## Reforest'Action's role in The Global Biodiversity Standard
 
### The contribution to remote sensing of forest biodiversity assessment

As part of The Global Biodiversity Standard's technical and scientific network, Reforest'Action brings its expertise in forest ecosystem restoration and impact measurement to the development of remote sensing monitoring tools. Reforest'Action offers The Global Biodiversity Standard a catalog of tools dedicated to remote sensing measurements. These measurements are carried out both upstream of project implementation, and downstream, as part of project monitoring. 

While tree species diversity has traditionally been assessed through field studies using samples from selected plots, this process is time-consuming and costly for large-scale analysis. Today, remote sensing provides new ways of monitoring vegetation biodiversity, offering the possibility of generating data sets to track environmental changes over the long term. This remote monitoring makes it possible to detect changes taking place within the forest cover, and thus to refine field sampling, in order to prioritize studies within areas that appear to be experiencing more or less positive evolution than others. As a complement to remote sensing, field monitoring remains essential for its accuracy, its ability to validate remote monitoring data and to calibrate the latter by providing real data to refine analyses.
 
### A tool for mapping tree species diversity in canopies

Among the catalog of tools offered by Reforest'Action to The Global Biodiversity Standard, Reforest'Action's Impact Department is collaborating directly with the standard to develop a tool dedicated to mapping the diversity of tree species within canopies. Based on a concept developed by J.-B. Féret and G. P. Asner (2014) and powered by images from Sentinel-2, a satellite in the European Space Agency's Copernicus program, the methodology and tool, re-appropriated by Reforest'Action, enables analysis of the spatial distribution of spectral species, those vegetation zones that include one or more plant species with a similar spectral signature. 

In other words, the tool can be used to assess the diversity of species within a given plot by grouping them into categories known as “spectral species”, based on their physical and biochemical properties (physiological state, water and pigment content, etc.). “Initially, we were looking for a way to measure spatial (within a project area) and temporal (over time) changes in forest stand diversity using remote sensing, in order to better guide sampling during field surveys,” explains Richard Sourbès, Reforest'Action's impact manager. “Based on the method developed by J.-B. Féret and G. P. Asner, we have developed our own tool with innovations that enable us to further refine our remote and field monitoring. While this tool has been used so far mainly in the field of research, Reforest'Action is now applying it for the first time to the operational monitoring of forest restoration projects. This innovative approach is in line with the more general use of remote sensing in the development of our forestry projects - from the design phase through to monitoring.”
 
### A field mission led by Reforest'Action to refine the tool and methodology

During a mission carried out in February 2024 as part of an international workshop organized by The Global Biodiversity Standard, a team from Reforest'Action's Impact Unit travelled to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest to compare estimated remote sensing data with data collected in the field, particularly in terms of tree species diversity in the canopy. “The aim of this mission was to compare the estimate given by satellite imagery with observation in the field, in order to verify their correlation and refine our methodology and tool”, continues Richard Sourbès. “In concrete terms, our experiments in some twenty forest and agroforestry plots demonstrated a strong relationship between the distribution of spectral tree species and that of tree species actually observed in the field.” 

This field mission showed encouraging results in terms of the relevance of monitoring spectral species as a proxy for plant diversity in the canopy. The increasing number of projects monitored using this method will enable us to improve its accuracy in the future, by adapting it to the different stages of maturity and types of forest studied by Reforest'Action. 

Ultimately, this tool should enable us to better control the evolution of our remote sensing projects, so as to optimize our field monitoring missions. It also aims to provide a better understanding of the factors influencing plant diversity and its evolution over time, so as to be able to propose corrective measures as soon as a negative evolution is detected (for example, the presence of an invasive species). Ultimately, this tool will strengthen the adaptive management of our projects and ensure the long-term survival of forest ecosystems.  

![Global-Biodiversity-Standard-4.jpg](/uploads/Global_Biodiversity_Standard_4_e23d45b127.jpg)

_To find out more about the spectral species method developed by Reforest'Action, read our dedicated article: “[Spectral species: an innovative method for studying plant biodiversity from space](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/spectral-species-monitoring-plant-biodiversity-from-space)”._


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Monitoring biodiversity to better preserve it: Reforest'Action's expertise at the service of The Global Biodiversity Standard

**Richard Sourbès, Impact Officer for Reforest'Action, is responsible for monitoring and measuring impact using remote sensing and geomatics (GIS) tools. He explains the needs met by these tools and what they bring to the design of our forest and agroforestry ecosystem restoration projects, as well as to the monitoring of their results.**

![Banniere-Richard-Sourbes-Impact.jpg](/uploads/Banniere_Richard_Sourbes_Impact_7300ae7e38.jpg)
 
### How is impact management a cornerstone of Reforest'Action's activities?
 
**Richard Sourbès :** Scientific and technological innovations, such as satellite tracking and artificial intelligence, are opening up new perspectives to support the development of forestry and agroforestry ecosystem restoration projects. Since 2021, Reforest'Action has been conducting research to develop an information and data analysis system around our projects and their impacts. This system, based in particular on remote sensing and geomatics, is crucial to increasing the efficiency of our activities and bringing transparency to the investors who fund our projects. It aims to guide both the design and the monitoring and evaluation of our projects' results over the long term. 
 
### How do remote sensing and geomatics (GIS) fit together? 
 
**Richard Sourbès :** Remote sensing uses raster data acquired remotely by spaceborne sensors (satellites) or airborne sensors (drones) to analyze the physico-chemical characteristics of land surfaces across a range of spectral bands.

Geomatics, or geographic information systems (GIS), combine cartography, computer science and statistical analysis to process vector data, i.e. georeferenced data (characterized by GPS coordinates). 

At Reforest'Action, these two disciplines are used in complementary ways. Remote sensing provides us with satellite images overlaid with GIS databases, such as topographic and hydrographic data. Combined, remote sensing images and GIS databases enable us to carry out high-quality geospatial analyses. 
 
### How does geospatial analysis play a part in the design phase of a project?
 
**Richard Sourbès :** Before a project is implemented, a study is carried out to analyze its priorities and constraints, as well as its suitability for our specifications or for certification to an international carbon standard. Data analysis by Reforest'Action's Impact Department begins with this preliminary study.  

In particular, we analyze the landscape matrix of the project area using satellite images and geospatial databases, to estimate land cover typology, soil composition and relief. We also carry out a risk analysis to determine whether the project area is prone to deforestation, fire or flooding. 

In this phase, we produce a number of maps, the analysis of which enables us to contextualize the project and gain a better understanding of the issues specific to its ecosystem typology. By overlaying the maps obtained, we can then estimate the high-potential areas in which we can develop our project. 
 
### How can geospatial analysis be used to guide field monitoring of the health of restored ecosystems?
 
**Richard Sourbès :** Prior to the monitoring missions carried out by Reforest'Action in the field during the first five years of the project, the sample plots to be audited can be defined using satellite images, which are analyzed to produce a stratification of the project. This involves dividing the project area into several sub-plots that are homogeneous in terms of project design, vegetation types and topography. This stratification process is then used to set up an operational monitoring system that reflects the reality of the project as objectively as possible. 

Remote sensing is also used to assess forest ecosystem health from a distance, before verifying it in the field. Analysis of the vegetation moisture content index (Normalized Difference Moisture Index - NDMI) and biomass density index (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index - NDVI) provides an overview of vegetation vigour in the project area, and identifies potential malfunctions, such as water stress. 

![NDVI-NDMI.jpg](/uploads/NDVI_NDMI_d3abca0d6e.jpg)

Field missions, guided by this analysis, will then aim to explore areas identified remotely as being in a potential state of stress, but also those that appear healthier, in order to better understand the ecosystem characteristics at the root of this differential.

These tools enable us to better monitor the progress of our projects, optimize field follow-up missions and suggest corrective measures as soon as a negative trend is detected.
 
### How can remote sensing be used to assess plant diversity within a forest ecosystem?
 
**Richard Sourbès :** In collaboration with [The Global Biodiversity Standard](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/the-global-biodiversity-standard-reforestaction), Reforest'Action has developed a method and tools dedicated to mapping [tree species diversity within canopies](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/spectral-species-monitoring-plant-biodiversity-from-space), based on a concept by J.-B. Féret and G. P. Asner. These tools are fed by satellite images. They allow us to evaluate, by proxy, the biological diversity of canopy species within a given plot, by grouping them into categories called “spectral species” according to their physical and biochemical properties. Using remote sensing, we can thus measure the evolution of forest diversity within a project area over time. 
 
### How can the spectral species method better integrate plant biodiversity into forest management?
 
**Richard Sourbès :** This method and its associated tools are invaluable for forest management and restoration projects. The georeferenced data obtained can be used to deliver an initial diagnosis of canopy plant biodiversity at forest scale, to better understand the ecological and environmental factors that promote or hinder this diversity, to establish good practices that lead to high diversity, or to adopt corrective measures in the opposite case. Forest managers can then draw on this data to develop their management practices in order to optimize species diversity, as well as the stability and resilience of the forest ecosystem as a whole. 

![Interview-Richard-remote-sensing.jpg](/uploads/Interview_Richard_remote_sensing_65d7a8d050.jpg)


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Remote sensing and geomatics: technological innovation to support forestry and agroforestry projects

**To improve the monitoring of forest restoration projects, remote sensing can provide complementary indicators and support field surveys. By making it possible to monitor canopy diversity, the spatial distribution of plant species and forest evolution over time, the spectral species method and its associated tools developed by Reforest'Action are invaluable in forest management and restoration projects. They aim to enable forest managers to evolve their practices in order to optimize species diversity, as well as the stability and resilience of the forest ecosystem as a whole.** 

![Spectral-Species-canopy.jpg](/uploads/Spectral_Species_canopy_39e93e4b05.jpg)
 
## Remote sensing applied to the monitoring of vegetation
 
### Analyzing terrestrial ecosystems from space

Space-based remote sensing enables us to observe terrestrial environments using remote data acquisition methods based on the properties of electromagnetic radiation. Satellite sensors can measure the amount of energy (reflectance) reflected or emitted by a surface as a function of the wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum, and analyze and monitor changes in the surface over time. The total reflectance recorded in each spectral band (blue, green, red, infrared, etc.) forms the object's “spectral signature”. Each surface thus has its own spectral signature, enabling it to be identified on satellite images.
 
### Defining the spectral signature of plant species

Remote sensing makes it possible to establish the spectral signature of plants by analyzing their optical properties in the visible, near-infrared and mid-infrared ranges. These properties depend in particular on the vegetation's cellular structure, as well as its water and pigment content. 
- **Cell structure.** The anatomical structure of leaves plays a significant role in the spectral signature of vegetation at longer wavelengths. Near-infrared radiation passes through the leaf to the cell layer, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. In this layer, near-infrared radiation is strongly reflected. It therefore depends directly on leaf anatomy. 
- **Water content.** Leaf water content is also a factor influencing vegetation's spectral signature in the mid-infrared wavelengths. The higher the water content, the lower the reflectance of vegetation. In remote sensing, this wavelength range is used to identify water-stressed vegetation cover.
- **Leaf pigment content.** All plants contain green pigments (chlorophyll), orange pigments (carotenes) and blue-red pigments (anthocyanins). The presence of these leaf pigments (particularly chlorophyll, which is the most abundant) in plants is responsible for their high absorption of visible radiation.

These three elements vary according to season, plant species and life cycle. In other words, the spectral signature of vegetation is not constant. It reflects differences in the structure and characteristics of plant cover. 
 
![Spectral-species-canopy-from-ground.jpg](/uploads/Spectral_species_canopy_from_ground_72dbe3beac.jpg)

## The spectral species method

### From spectral signatures to spectral species: identifying the spatial distribution of plant species

At the scale of a forest plot, remote sensing can identify different spectral signatures, which can be distinguished and attributed to distinct plant species, grouped under categories known as “spectral species”. 

“Through opensource platforms, we have access to Copernicus satellite data, which is revisited every five days or so. We can download the current satellite view of a plot within one of our projects by entering its GPS coordinates,” explains Richard Sourbès, Impact Officer for Reforest'Action. “We then process this data using the Python programming language. On the satellite view, each pixel represents a surface that emits energy in 12 spectral bands. These reflectances in each spectral band are recovered by our software. They make up the spectral signature of the forest surface analyzed. We then try to classify each pixel into groups called spectral species according to the similarity of their signatures, and we thus obtain an estimate of the number of different species present in the canopy.”

This method provides a map of the spatial distribution of spectral species observed in the forest. The map takes the form of a satellite view of the plot, with each pixel color corresponding to a spectral species. 

![Spectral-species-map.jpg](/uploads/Spectral_species_map_ae538870db.jpg)
 
### From the spatial distribution of species to an index of their diversity: monitoring plant biodiversity

This first tool can then be used to calculate diversity indices, in particular the Shannon index. The Shannon index is the most commonly used diversity index in ecology. It is used to calculate species richness and distribution within a forest. In other words, the more numerous and evenly distributed the plant species, the higher the index. 

Reforest'Action uses the Shannon index to determine the specific diversity of spectral species, which is an indicator of the biological (taxonomic) diversity of canopy species. This plant diversity is represented in the form of a heat map, which locates, in warm color, spots of high plant diversity, and in cold color, spots of low plant diversity. It is then possible to follow the evolution of this biodiversity throughout the forest's growth. 

“In concrete terms, the forest stand is re-divided into cells of around 1000 m2, in which the abundance of each of the spectral species present is calculated”, explains Richard Sourbès. “In other words, the Shannon index is calculated by a simple change of scale: going from a 10x10 m pixel to a 33x33 m pixel, we obtain zones containing a greater or lesser diversity of spectral species, enabling us to identify the most diverse areas of the plot studied. Within a cell, the more numerous and evenly distributed the spectral species, the higher the Shannon index.  Conversely, a cell containing a single spectral species will have a Shannon index equal to zero, representing zero species diversity.” 

This mapping is particularly important: it enables field monitoring missions to be steered more effectively, in particular by targeting sampling zones adapted to the results of remote monitoring, and by enabling more precise management recommendations to be formulated. The tool also complements field surveys, which cannot be carried out on all forest stands, as they sometimes extend over dozens or even hundreds of hectares.

![Shannon-Index-Map.jpg](/uploads/Shannon_Index_Map_4dc16676fd.jpg)
 
## Valuable tools for monitoring restoration projects

By making it possible to monitor canopy diversity, the spatial distribution of plant species and forest evolution over time, the spectral species method and its associated tools (spectral species map, Shannon index) are invaluable in forest management and restoration projects. 

Because the data obtained is geo-referenced, it is particularly effective for locating potential invasive species that could threaten the stability of the forest ecosystem, or a lack of species diversity at stand level. They can be used to provide an initial diagnosis of canopy plant biodiversity on a forest scale, to better understand the ecological and environmental factors that favor or hinder plant biodiversity, to establish good practices that lead to high diversity, or to take corrective measures in the opposite case.  

Forest managers can use this data to develop their management practices to optimize species diversity, as well as the stability and resilience of the forest ecosystem as a whole. 

In the medium term, the aim is to be able to calculate the Shannon index for all our projects, in order to monitor the diversity of species represented on the forest plots that have been restored. This index will enable us to measure the impact generated by our projects in terms of plant biodiversity restoration, and will join a range of impact measurement tools currently being developed by Reforest'Action's Innovation & Impact Department.

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Spectral species: an innovative method for monitoring plant biodiversity from space

**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)

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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

**While there is no fixed definition of regenerative agriculture, its goal is to enhance the ability of agricultural ecosystems to renew themselves—in other words, to help them thrive again. Within corporate value chains, Reforest'Action's regenerative agriculture projects address environmental, social, and economic challenges. These challenges are deeply interconnected: drought, flooding, extreme heat, soil salinization, fluctuating markets, and seed availability all threaten crop sustainability, putting the entire supply chain at risk. Our interventions aim to build long-term ecosystem resilience while maintaining the economic viability of our activities. “The idea behind a regenerative agriculture project is to create a balanced and sustainable model that generates alternative and complementary income while preserving the integrity of the agroecosystem,” explains Jean-Christophe, Project Manager at Reforest'Action. Reforest'Action's approach supports the continuation of existing agricultural production, the development of new crops within the same area, as well as the generation of positive environmental and social impacts. Achieving these outcomes requires the right approach.**

Designing a regenerative agriculture project is a complex process with many variables. The goal is to identify ways to optimize the natural dynamics of the ecosystem. The feasibility of this optimization is evaluated during the planning and experimentation phases, which take place before field implementation and ensure the project's long-term sustainability. For Jean-Christophe, who is responsible for designing and implementing regenerative agriculture projects in tropical regions, the key is aligning the practical experience of farmers with the scientific framework: "Although our assessments, studies, and forecasts are grounded in scientific data and methods, the goal is to develop proposals tailored to the local context and approved by those most affected—the farmers. Without their full commitment, no transition is possible." This behind-the-scenes work follows a pragmatic approach, rooted in local realities and focused on delivering measurable benefits. 

## Understanding the Local Context: A Science-Based Approach

The main steps in designing a regenerative agriculture project are often grouped into what's known as the "feasibility study," a crucial first milestone. From a scientific perspective, this study assesses the project's overall viability and evaluates potential solutions. It covers key elements such as the goals to be achieved, potential challenges, an analysis of the farm and its environment, hypotheses to be tested, proposed actions, and the metrics for tracking progress. The feasibility study is summarized in a report that presents both the results of preliminary assessments and recommendations for possible solutions. However, behind this report lies a significant amount of groundwork, closely tied to the field and involving all stakeholders. “The feasibility study is about understanding the overall dynamics of the area to create a solid implementation plan,” explains Jean-Christophe. The success of a project is much more likely, and the positive impacts are maximized when a feasibility study is carried out early in the process. 

![EN_designing stages.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/EN_designing_stages_fcea34f256.jpg)
An infographic outlining the steps involved in designing a regenerative agriculture project, as summarized in the feasibility study.

### Assessment of Key Factors

Once the project’s objectives are established, a detailed analysis of the local context is essential. Understanding how agricultural production operates, considering its environmental, social, and economic aspects, is a crucial step in project design. This helps us identify strengths and opportunities, as well as weaknesses and potential threats that need to be addressed. The first section of the feasibility study focuses on various assessments, or audits, grounded in scientific methodology. The specific factors examined depend on the project’s goals, but they typically include the following:

**1. Farm Assessment:** The project must be integrated into an existing production system. This is why farming practices, technical processes, and any transformation activities are assessed. The goal is to evaluate the farm's current sustainability and conservation levels, its capacity for adaptation, and any potential risks associated with changes in practices. 

**2. Ecosystem Assessment:** By analyzing various aspects of the project area, we can gain an understanding of the socio-ecological dynamics that shape the environment in which the farm operates. This assessment focuses on the key pillars of a regenerative project: water, soil, biodiversity, and socio-economic factors. The results of these analyses help identify past and potential future climatic changes, characterize available resources, and pinpoint priority areas for restoration.
  
**3. Value Chain Assessment:** Reforest'Action works within companies' value chains, specifically focusing on the sourcing of raw materials for regenerative agriculture projects. This assessment involves conducting a market study of the agricultural production in the relevant region or country to highlight the economic potential of the project. The purpose is to guide the development of alternative, regenerative value chains that align market needs with production goals, ultimately fostering sustainable incomes and better conservation of natural resources.

These analyses can be conducted either in the field during short trips, sometimes referred to as audits, or remotely through a literature review. In both cases, strong collaboration among the various stakeholders is essential. This involves sharing knowledge between the agricultural supplier and Reforest'Action, the project developer. Time is also an important factor in these diagnostics. As Jean-Christophe notes, the goal of this preparatory phase is "to understand past dynamics to predict their evolution five, ten, or even twenty years into the future, over the lifespan of the project." Following a scientific methodology, establishing a baseline helps narrow down the regenerative models to be developed in the feasibility study, focusing on those best suited to the environment and current farming practices.

#### Perfume Flower Cultivation in Northwest Morocco

In Khémisset, northern Morocco, Reforest'Action is developing a regenerative agriculture project in partnership with a Parisian perfume house and its supplier of essential plant oils. In the face of growing climate challenges, the project's primary goal was to explore sustainable practices for cultivating perfume flowers.

![Tractor trailer loaded with tagete at distillation unit-Loïsa-Morocco-9_10_23.jpg](/uploads/Tractor_trailer_loaded_with_tagete_at_distillation_unit_Loisa_Morocco_9_10_23_1f60bb1199.jpg)
Perfume flower distillation unit, Morocco
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Essential oil extracted from perfume flowers after distillation, Morocco

The first step was to assess the farm's operations, identifying areas for improvement. We analyzed each stage of the flower-growing process for our client’s perfumes, including fertilization, seed preparation, and the technical steps involved (sowing, transplanting, hoeing, irrigation, and harvesting). Next, we reviewed the value chain for essential oil production, looking at distillation techniques (steam and solvent), energy needs, and the potential use of residual biomass*. Finally, an analysis of the ecosystem and local climate helped us evaluate how water scarcity impacts perfume flower production. Water stress in the region, largely due to a significant drop in rainfall, has directly affected water availability on-site, which in turn impacts irrigation. For example, the choice of species for agroforestry is based on this critical assessment, as only drought-resistant species will survive such conditions. As Jean-Christophe notes, the key challenge of this diagnostic phase is clear, though complex: “Here, the project is primarily about selecting plant species suited to the severely limited water resources, within the framework of essential oil production.” 

_*Biomass refers to organic plant or animal material that can be used as an energy source or soil enhancer. In this case, the plant residues left after distillation serve as a valuable source of biomass._

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Uprooted trees on parched ground after an extended drought, Morocco
![Biolandes worker on tractor in tagete field-Loïsa-Morocco-9_10_23-2.jpg](/uploads/Biolandes_worker_on_tractor_in_tagete_field_Loisa_Morocco_9_10_23_2_50d9fb77f3.jpg)
Harvesting perfume flowers on a farm in Morocco

## Validating Hypotheses: An Experimental Approach

Regenerative agriculture aims to both restore agricultural ecosystems and sustain economically viable yields. This holistic approach relies on experimentation and encourages learning and adaptation as key drivers of change.  

### Identifying Strategies to Be Tested in a Pilot Phase

After the findings, we move on to potential solutions. What strategies are Reforest'Action and the agricultural partner considering addressing the challenges identified, while aligning with the local context? The second part of the feasibility study focuses on identifying practical regenerative processes that could be implemented on-site, forming the foundation of the project design. These strategies are outlined as follows: 
 
**1. Hypotheses:** Following a scientific approach, we start by developing a set of hypotheses aimed at identifying causal links—essentially, how the potential solutions could lead to positive outcomes. These hypotheses are then turned into scenarios, which are tested through field experiments during the initial "pilot phase." 
 
**2. Developing Scenarios (Levers):** Next, we create a variety of scenarios using different agroecological techniques. These are tested to see which best supports the earlier hypotheses. The aim is to identify the most effective strategies, chosen for both their environmental benefits (ecosystem resilience, climate change adaptation) and their agronomic and socio-economic advantages (higher yields, product diversity, reduced inputs, increased income), ranging from the plot level to the landscape scale. Local stakeholders are involved to ensure their needs and priorities are factored into the decision-making process.    

**3. Monitoring Indicators:** Each selected strategy is then tied to specific performance indicators that will measure its impact. While environmental strategies often provide quantitative data, others, like improvements in community or farmer well-being, may require more qualitative assessment. 
 
**4. Pilot Phase:** The project starts with an experimental phase, which can last several years depending on the project. During this time, the chosen scenarios are tested on a small scale to determine if they are feasible and scalable before rolling them out on a larger scale. This phase is critical for fine-tuning solutions, determining actual costs, timelines, and evaluating the skill levels of project partners. In some cases, the feasibility study and the pilot phase happen simultaneously. This stage also helps expand our understanding of the region and its dynamics through hands-on experience. Success in the pilot phase is tracked using key indicators, which provide the foundation for measuring the project's long-term impact.

In practical terms, there are a variety of agroecological strategies that can be applied in a regenerative agriculture project. Reforest'Action helps its clients optimize their value chains by focusing on living systems, offering customized recommendations. We provide a wide range of techniques, including agroforestry within plots, planting tree and shrub borders, creating woodland islands, soil conservation practices, and using biochar.
At its core, regenerative agriculture places a strong emphasis on soil restoration—a critical priority as 90% of the world’s soils are projected to be degraded by 2050.* Reforest'Action also aims to implement strategies at the landscape level, beyond the production system itself. For instance, restoring nearby forests to connect farms with continuous ecological corridors can lead to significant improvements in both production quality and the livelihoods of the communities that rely on it.

_*FAO, Saving our Soils by all earthly ways possible, Highlighting some key achievements of the FAO-led Global Soil Partnership, Case Studies, 2022._

#### Organic Cotton Production in Eastern India

The production of synthetic fibers and fabrics is one of the world’s most polluting industries, negatively impacting both human health and the environment. For farmers, growing natural fibers like cotton in a sustainable and economically viable way remains a challenge. Since 2020, Kiabi has been committed to supporting forests, driven by the desire to make a difference where its business has the greatest impact. Wanting to take this commitment even further, the company recently turned to Reforest'Action for expertise, specifically within its cotton production chain in India. India is the world’s leading producer of organic cotton, and the project is being implemented with several of Kiabi's indirect suppliers, including the Pratima Organic Growers group, which represents over 9,000 cotton farmers and 10,000 hectares of organic or transitioning farms. In partnership with the growers' cooperative, the project has four main goals: to improve the economic viability of cotton farming, empower the farmers, promote ecological sustainability, and restore the ecological corridors that shape the landscape. 

Launched in March 2022, this regenerative agriculture project in the central Indian states of Odisha and Madhya Pradesh entered a pilot phase in 2023, with the full feasibility study completed by Reforest'Action in 2024. Jean-Christophe explains: "This project in India perfectly illustrates the core goal of regenerative agriculture: building resilience in production systems in the face of climate change. It requires adapting to new scenarios projected through science and the work of the IPCC." 

![Champ coton Odisha.jpg](/uploads/Champ_coton_Odisha_1ee60c9dd4.jpg)
Cotton field, Odisha state, India
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Harvested cotton fiber, Odisha state, India 

**Assessment:** The climate assessment of the region revealed longer drought periods, higher temperatures, a shorter monsoon season, and more intense rainfall. As a result, the area, located in the Tel River watershed, is facing water shortages that are affecting cotton crop irrigation. Other environmental challenges in the region include biodiversity loss, largely due to the clearing of the surrounding Tikhari forest reserve for agricultural purposes. The farmland involved in the project is organically certified, which provides a production framework with recommended practices, guidance on crop varieties, and farmer training. On a socio-economic level, farmers—most of whom rely on the cotton market for their livelihood—are struggling with worsening climate conditions that increase their vulnerability. Additionally, local communities face poor sanitary conditions, leading to a rise in serious diseases like malaria. Plastic pollution in the villages is also degrading the quality of drinking water and posing a threat to agricultural land.

**Hypotheses and Strategies Considered:** Agroforestry is already familiar to farmers in the region and offers a promising way to diversify crops, restore biodiversity, improve water infiltration in sandy and rocky soils, boost alternative income for farmers, and improve livelihoods in a reasonable timeframe. To support organic cotton cultivation, fruit and timber trees will be planted alongside the crops. The pilot phase, which started in June 2023, involves setting up agroforestry plantations in a test area. By 2024, additional strategies focused on soil conservation will be put in place. The project also includes a socio-economic element, providing farmer training and support with market access. Plans to improve hygiene in the surrounding villages are also part of this phase.

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Cotton growers' cooperative, Odisha state, India

**In conclusion, a regenerative agriculture project extends beyond just field implementation. The diagnostic and experimental phases, which shape the project's final design, follow a scientific approach that is as thorough, inclusive, and rigorous as possible. To ensure the success of this approach, Reforest'Action has developed in-house expertise and works with respected global partners in sustainable agriculture.
Are you interested in developing regenerative agriculture within your value chain and positively impacting soil health, climate, biodiversity, and society? Learn more about how we can help, with over a decade of experience in agroforestry.**

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Core elements of designing a regenerative agriculture project

**Registered under the VCS certification standard, the Kuzuko project in South Africa is located in a nature reserve that has protected degraded former pastures to allow the return of the biodiversity that has lived in this landscape for thousands of years. Thanks to the complementary expertise of AfriCarbon and Reforest’Action, the project aims to restore 5,185 hectares of Portulacaria afra-dominated thicket, a tree species known locally as spekboom, to help re-establish the original plant community and habitat of this extraordinary indigenous fauna. In addition to the climatic action linked to carbon sequestration, it will be the source of a vast array of environmental and socio-economic benefits that will be closely monitored throughout the project, within a veritable open-air laboratory dedicated to the restoration of the living.**

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## The origins of a large-scale project

### The beginnings of Reforest’Action’s involvement
Reforest’Action’s commitment in South Africa dates back to 2020. With the aim of contributing to the restoration of the the Albany thicket, a lasting partnership was formed that year with the South African company AfriCarbon, backed by twenty years of research and experimentation applied to these unique ecosystems. The result was the launch of an initial project in the Eastern-Cape province, enabling 200 hectares of thicket to be restored by planting 500,000 spekboom seedlings.
Strengthened by the mutual trust they had built up over the course of this first joint project, Reforest’Action and AfriCarbon decided in the spring of 2022 to take their ambition to the next level. Given the colossal financing requirements needed to make progress towards the goal of restoring all the degraded thickets in the region, the two organisations turned to the voluntary carbon market.
As part of the Kuzuko project, which aims to restore 5,185 hectares of spekboom thicket within a protected nature reserve, a PDD (a document describing the planning of a carbon project and its compliance with certification requirements) had already been drafted in 2014 for submission to the international VCS standard by Anthony Mills, founder of AfriCarbon. But the latent state of the voluntary carbon market over the last decade meant that the Kuzuko project was unable to find funding.

![Anthony-Mills-with-spekboom-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Anthony_Mills_with_spekboom_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_e3c49fa49c.jpg)
_Anthony Mills (AfriCarbon) in front of a large spekboom in Kuzuko_

### A synergy between two complementary areas of expertise
As funding partner, Reforest’Action then joined the Kuzuko project’s carbon certification process and contributed its expertise in drawing up and supervising the business plan to guarantee the project’s financial integrity and secure the investment needed to launch restoration operations. 
In support of AfriCarbon, Reforest’Action also helped to finalize the protocols for measuring the carbon sequestration enabled by the project, as well as projecting its environmental and socio-economic impacts beyond climate action alone. At the same time, a rigorous monitoring and reporting process has been put in place to check - and adjust if necessary - these various parameters, ensuring that they comply with the VCS certification standards.
In the field, the scientists of the AfriCarbon team implement the project design as they conceived it, drawing on their expertise in botany and soil science. They coordinate all the technical operations, apply the monitoring process for the growth of the trees and the impacts generated, and ensure the control and quality assurance of the data collected. 
The combination of Reforest’Action’s and AfriCarbon’s complementary areas of expertise makes Kuzuko a particularly robust and ambitious project for restoring ecosystems.

![Robbert-Duker-&-Quentin-Guyon-in-Kirkwood-nursery-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Robbert_Duker_and_Quentin_Guyon_in_Kirkwood_nursery_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_64da7ae984.jpg)
_Robbert Duker (AfriCarbon) and Quentin Guyon (Reforest'Action) at one of the project's nurseries_

## A project to restore the spekboom thicket biome 

### A project designed around the VCS and CCB certification
The Kuzuko project is now registered under the VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) certification, one of the most widely used international standards for contributing to global neutrality linked to the voluntary carbon market. This standard, managed by Verra, a not-for-profit organisation, guarantees that the tonnes of CO2 equivalent sequestered thanks to the deployment of the project meet certain quality criteria.
Within Verra’s registry, Kuzuko corresponds to the ARR (Afforestation, Reforestation & Revegetation) typology, attributed to projects that develop forest carbon sinks by restoring vegetation cover. By encouraging carbon sequestration, the project contributes to achieving global carbon neutrality.
The project will be audited every four years for thirty years by the Validation & Verification Body, an organisation approved by Verra which provides validation and verification services in accordance with the rules of the VCS standard. Each verification will generate certified carbon credits, corresponding to the amount of carbon actually sequestered by the trees planted as part of the project. 
The Kuzuko project is also in the process of being certified to the CCB (Climate, Community & Biodiversity) standard managed by Verra. This standard certifies that the project generates positive impacts on the climate and incorporates best practice in terms of community involvement and biodiversity conservation. 
Combining the VCS and CCB certifications guarantees the quality of the carbon credits generated by the project, while providing additional benefits that go beyond carbon mitigation measures.

![Workers-planting-spekboom-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Workers_planting_spekboom_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_b16cb2b4f2.jpg)
 
### A project anchored in a biodiversity sanctuary
Located 150 kilometres from Port Elizabeth, in South Africa’s Eastern-Cape province, the Kuzuko reserve was created in 2002 through the protection of degraded land from 18 former goat farms. Thanks to the rewilding work carried out up until the reserve’s inauguration in 2008 to promote nature-based ecotourism, these degraded former pastures have been transformed into a veritable reservoir of animal biodiversity, now home, over an area of 15,000 hectares, to emblematic species of South Africa’s indigenous fauna, including elephants and rhinoceroses, Cape zebras and greater kudu, lions and cheetahs.

![South-Africa-Kuzuko.jpg](/uploads/South_Africa_Kuzuko_35d199db1e.jpg)

![Elephant-2-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Elephant_2_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_c53e466ae2.jpg)

In terms of plant biodiversity, however, the removal of the goats and the respect of the ecosystem’s carrying capacity for two decades were not enough to regenerate the native vegetation of the arid Albany thicket, which was originally dominated - up to 80% of their vegetation - by a succulent species, Portulacaria afra. This tree, endemic to southern Africa and known locally as spekboom, is an essential pioneer species for the development and maintenance of a diverse plant community. 
"Our research has established that a third of the area now covered by the Kuzuko reserve was dominated by spekboom thickets two centuries ago, representing more than 5,000 hectares" says Anthony Mills, PhD in soil science and founder of AfriCarbon. " Today, the Kuzuko reserve has allowed the return of the wildlife that this landscape has known for thousands and thousands of years, but the current state of the vegetation is not adapted to its needs. This is the whole point of the restoration project that Reforest’Action and AfriCarbon are carrying out at Kuzuko: to re-establish the original habitat of this extraordinary indigenous wildlife and to contribute, on the scale of 5,185 hectares, to the restoration of the Albany arid thicket biome."
Twenty years of scientific research have proved that spekboom has a central role to play in this restoration, through its ability to act on soil health and the water cycle, and to create the microclimate needed for the resurgence of a rich plant community. This engineer species, with its extraordinary physiological adaptation, is at the heart of the design of the Kuzuko project.

![Cheetah-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Cheetah_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_002dc184ad.jpg)

### A project built on science and technology
On the ground, operations are managed by Robbert Duker, PhD in environmental plant physiology and AfriCarbon’s Chief Operations Officer, who is, with his team, based full-time within the Kuzuko reserve. 

![Robbert-Duker-in-Kirkwood-nursery-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Robbert_Duker_in_Kirkwood_nursery_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_f21db6701f.jpg)
_Robbert Duker (AfriCarbon) at one of the project's nurseries_

By identifying the areas to be restored within the reserve, which currently consist of moderately or severely degraded thickets, AfriCarbon was able to use rigorous mapping to divide the 5,185 hectares concerned into 1,730 plots, thereby defining a plan to be followed during the planting operations.
 
![Project-Map-Kuzuko.jpg](/uploads/Project_Map_Kuzuko_bd845d4287.jpg)

Three nurseries have been set up to produce the 25,9 million spekboom needed to restore the 5,185 hectares of degraded thicket. The cuttings, harvested from intact remnants of spekboom thickets, are raised in these nurseries, which provide them with the optimum conditions for their growth.
 
![Harvesting-Spekboom-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Harvesting_Spekboom_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_ddb27a4ccd.jpg)
Récolte de boutures de spekboom à Kuzuko

Today, the Kuzuko project employs around 300 people, who are housed and fed throughout the working week in purpose-built facilities. Planting began in September 2022 and will be completed by the end of December 2023. Around six months after planting, AfriCarbon carries out an initial monitoring to check that the trees are in good health and, if necessary, to organize maintenance work. This will then be repeated once a year. 

![Planting-Spekbooms-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Planting_Spekbooms_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_14c9bfde2c.jpg)

## The monitoring of impact indicators to reflect the added value of the project

### Climate: measuring carbon sequestration
For a carbon project such as Kuzuko, monitoring carbon sequestration throughout the life of the project is a central aspect. A project scenario is defined and compared with a baseline scenario, which determines the amount of carbon that would have been sequestered if the project had not been implemented. The comparison between the baseline scenario and the project scenario is then used to estimate the additional sequestration actually enabled by the project.
The spekboom’s remarkable ability to rapidly fix CO2 - and therefore remove it from the atmosphere - makes this tree an asset for mitigating climate change on a global scale. Restoring spekboom thickets thus increases the carbon storage capacity of above-ground and underground biomass (all organic plant matter), as well as that of the soil.
Based on years of research and experimentation with spekboom thickets, the carbon sequestration target for the Kuzuko project is 1.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the 30-year credit period. This target includes a 20% buffer, which reduces the final sequestration value of tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This estimated carbon storage will be measured in real terms every four years by field surveys and verified by an audit conducted by the VCS standard.

![William-measuring-carbon-in-soil-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/William_measuring_carbon_in_soil_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_3614260061.jpg)
_William Gummow (AfriCarbon) taking samples to measure soil organic carbon_

### Soil, biodiversity, communities: 3 pillars of the project 
The construction of a baseline scenario and a project scenario also applies to other impact indicators, which will be scrupulously monitored through a monitoring plan defined by AfriCarbon in conjunction with Reforest’Action. 
"When it comes to measuring the impact of the project, we look beyond carbon sequestration" explains Quentin Guyon, Project Manager in charge of developing the Kuzuko project for Reforest’Action. "We also take into account all the added value of the project, beyond the climate action alone, for soil quality, the development of biodiversity and the living conditions of local communities, by assessing the initial state of each indicator and observing its evolution throughout the life of the project."
In terms of improving soil conditions, various indicators will be monitored throughout the project on permanent plots, such as soil temperature, density, infiltration and water retention rates, and erosion rates.

![Contrast-between-restored-thicket-soil-and-degraded-thicket-soil-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Contrast_between_restored_thicket_soil_and_degraded_thicket_soil_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_253e557da6.jpg)
_Contrast between moist soil sampled under a spekboom and arid soil sampled in the open_

With regard to the project's impact on biodiversity, the monitoring plan involves, in particular, monitoring the diversity of flora, the number of bird species, endangered species and pollinators.

![Greater-Kudu-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Greater_Kudu_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_e87532782c.jpg)
_Spekboom (in foreground) provides habitats and a resilient food source for native wildlife_ 

The socio-economic dimension is also a fully-fledged component of the project, which contributes directly to reducing local poverty levels. As part of the project, all the staff involved in the activities - harvesting spekboom cuttings, maintaining the nurseries, transporting the seedlings to the plots, planting the trees, activities linked to the infrastructures to accommodate the workers (kitchen, maintenance, shuttle service, etc.) - represent the creation of more than 300 jobs over an 15-month period, which could be extended thanks to the continued restoration of spekboom thickets in other degraded areas of the Eastern-Cape. 

![Monwabisi-worker-on-thicket-restoration-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Monwabisi_worker_on_thicket_restoration_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_f60ca4b0e5.jpg)

![Harvesting-spekboom-2-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Harvesting_spekboom_2_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_c5da395712.jpg)
_Monwabisi Manene and Zukiswa Davids, two workers employed on the Kuzuko project._

The social benefits also extend to the younger generation, as the project provides funding, through the Kuzuko Foundation Trust, for two primary schools located in Middlewater and Bracefield. The funds will be used to improve infrastructure, provide schoolchildren with quality teaching materials and contribute to their environmental education, teaching them the value of natural ecosystems and biodiversity from an early age.

**The Kuzuko project demonstrates the ability of carbon-certified projects to extend their impact far beyond climate benefits, by promoting soil health, fostering biodiversity and improving living conditions for human communities. This holistic approach contributes to the restoration of valuable ecosystem services and the regeneration of the living in a sustainable way. While the challenge of restoring the thickets ecosystems in South Africa is a major one, with a degraded area of over one million hectares, the impacts of the Kuzuko project have the potential to be multiplied as future actions are carried out by AfriCarbon and Reforest’Action. Strengthened by this initial experience at Kuzuko, the two organisations will be pursuing their joint ambition to restore this unique biome over the coming years.**

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- _The Kuzuko project was notably funded by Capgemini, a global leader in partnering with companies to transform and manage their business by harnessing the power of technology. Capgemini is committed to a 90% decarbonization by 2040 and in addition is investing in high integrity carbon credits to abate and remove carbon from beyond their own value chain._
- _The scientific information and figures concerning the physiological characteristics of spekboom come from interviews conducted by Reforest'Action with Anthony Mills, Doctor of Soil Science and Founder of AfriCarbon, and Robbert Duker, Doctor of Plant Environmental Physiology and Chief Operations Officer of AfriCarbon, or from their published, peer-reviewed scientific work._
- _All the photographs illustrating this article were taken by Reforest'Action._

Magazine

Kuzuko: a certified carbon project to restore the living