In Spain, increasing arboreal areas.
Congruent with the “Tree Planting for Biodiversity” environmental program, which started in 2009, EDP intends to increase the availability of arboreal areas. As a result of this initiative, over 140.000 trees were already planted in Asturias.
Tree planting for the good of biodiversity
This initiative has shed priority on areas affected by forest fires. One of the most impactful actions consisted of planting 30.000 trees in San Martín del Valledor Parish, which, in October 2011, suffered the largest fire reported in Spain that year.
In Santo Adriano’s town, more precisely in Valdeloyés’ mountain, for example, this planting offered priority to fruitful species, such as cherry trees, chestnut trees, and apple trees, considering this is an area for small animals pasture, for which an ample space between trees was thoroughly calculated.
In Proaza town, around Caranga, strawberry trees were planted, a highly ecologically valued species that existed in the area before the fires. The strawberry tree is distinguished by its capacity to lay roots in poor soils and because it’s highly productive. Its fruits are part of the brown bear’s diet, the most symbolic species in this territory. Furthermore, planting them is performed by manual drilling, where the plant hole is only placed to avoid soil removal and erosion.
This program has fundamental importance as, besides promoting sustainable development, it also allows the recovery of the areas affected by forest fires.
