What are High Added Value Forests?

This is an automated translation from Russian. Original article is published HERE. We will come back soon with an manual translation

If you do not cultivate the land for a long time, it quickly overgrows with forest. In Nature, 5-10 years are enough to start natural afforestation processes. For Nature, Forest is the most effective land-use and land-restoration tool. When afforestation occurs in a natural, natural way, the seeds of the trees fall on the site from nearby forests or from single-standing trees. Sometimes they are introduced by wild animals and birds. The list of species that will sprout in the new site depends heavily on the biodiversity already present in the region. As a rule, in the Natural way, ten or more types of forest trees and shrubs appear on a new site; dozens, and sometimes even hundreds of species of annual and perennial herbs ... in a word - natural diversity!

In modern forest plantations, a small number of species is used, at best 2-3. And most often mono-cultural landings are used. In one massif of several hectares, tens or hundreds of hectares, one forest species dominates. This principle was adopted from agriculture, because it is easier to mechanize the process. In a word - this is called "Mono-Culture." It is not peculiar to nature, and such an approach can have serious consequences. Due to the fact that in one area a high concentration of one species, the risk of the spread of diseases and pests is greatly increased. Often, they have to fight with them and not always succeed. In such mono-cultural forests, there can be a very meager species diversity of animals and birds as only monotonous food is present.

The ultimate goal of monocultural forest plantations, most often, is wood. From monoculture it is easier to get because it is more or less uniform in appearance and age.

 

Our approach is diametrically opposed. We try to follow the Natural approach and offer to plant a forest that will be inconvenient or even unprofitable to cut down because it brings much more benefits to the local community every year than if it is converted into wood once! Forests with High Value Added can perform many functions:

Fix landslide slopes and prevent the expansion of ravines
Attract additional rainfall and retain moisture in the land, creating favorable conditions for land use on nearby agricultural lands. Protects them from wind and rain erosion
Increase groundwater level and improve water quality in springs and wells
Valuable species of nut and fruit trees, various berries, medical and honey plants can be planted here - this is not only food, but also a source of decent income for local residents, a tourism stimulator ...
Also, wide species diversity is a powerful replenishment of food chains for the fauna living here - and, therefore, favorable conditions for the living of wild animals and birds
The function of tourism and the recreational effect is also significantly enhanced by greater species diversity. In the process of designing a mixed forest planting, future paths, routes, clearings and recreational areas can be foreseen

 

Economic sustainability of Forests with the WDC - brings with it many social benefits. When a forest brings tangible income, will residents think of cutting it down? When people have decent money living on the land of their ancestors, will they think about leaving their villages if tourists themselves come to them and bring living money with them, need an overnight stay and service? Of course, this approach requires some investment in infrastructure and the restructuring of management approaches. But these are quite feasible tasks in the planning horizon of one generation.

Today in Moldova, from 10 to 50% of the total area of ​​each settlement can be attributed to unused land. The reasons can be different: ravines and landslides, high steepness of slopes, low fertility (bonitet), wetlands, pesticide poisoned land, cut down forests and old gardens that are unprofitable to uproot ... and there are simply many abandoned sites due to the fact that people abandoned their land and ceased cultivating them.

For all the seriousness of the risks associated with climate change and the fact that Moldova is the most forestless country in Europe, we suggest planting on unused and degrading lands - Forests with High Value Added. This not only helps to smooth out the risks themselves, adapt to future changes, but also provides diversification of income sources for the population, improves the quality of life and attractiveness of the village.

The selection of species for the mixed WDC forest is based on laboratory soil analyzes, meteorological data and a forecast of the development of the local microclimate. Today we should plant those types of trees that will feel good in the climate, which is predicted in 50-100 years! The future mix of trees can be directed in the desired direction:

  • Honey Conveyor
    ConveierMeliferic
  • Edible Forest Garden
    Padure Comestibila
  • Truffle Forest
    Paduri cu Trufe
  • Water Conservation Forest - protecting rivers and ponds
    Protecție Acvatică
  • Forest Pastures
    Plantări Silvo-Pastorale
  • Highly Productive Forest Stripes
    Fâșii de Protecție Înalt Productivă
  • Healing Forest - Medicinal Plant Prevalence

  • Millennial Forest - with Red Book species and trees capable of living for thousands of years! ...

 

The basis of mixed Forests with High Value Added is always made up of local flora with the addition of up to 35% of introduced, drought-resistant and economically viable species.

Thanks to cooperation with the botanical gardens of our region, we are ready to grow more than 5000 new species and varieties for forests with the VDC that are already adapted to the conditions of our region.

The first project of the VDC forest we began to implement in s. Verzaresti of Nisporensky district. Here, the average soil bonitet is fixed at 41 points - one of the lowest in Moldova! And in with. Kopchak (Stefan Voda district), is a good example of the successful implementation of the forest restoration strategy with all the ensuing favorable socio-economic consequences.

Our nurseries, reforestation projects and educational activities always have a place for volunteering and partnerships. If you want to co-participate in our green movement, as an individual or as an organization, or if you are thinking how to initiate a similar forest restoration project in your locality - just write to us on Messenger! Our doors are always open for CO-Collaboration!