The project will identify, conserve, rehabilitate and protect the ecosystems of Macaronesia’s forests. They are areas of incalculable beauty and contain unique tree species and groves.
VALCONMAC – preserving and protecting Macaronesia’s unique forest habitats
- 22 May 2019
“The VALCONMAC project aims to keep promoting the exchange of experiences and knowledge within forestry-related areas, as well as to keep informing and disseminating the knowledge developed and acquired by the different counterparts.”
The four archipelagos that form part of Macaronesia are located off the coast of Europe and Africa and belong to Portugal, Spain and Cape Verde. This project arose from the need to preserve the archipelagos’ distinct forests, so that future generations can enjoy the cultural and natural heritage rooted in them. It is establishing a network of trails, compiling a catalogue of unique tree varieties, and promoting centres to manage and safeguard the forests.
These centres will manage invasive alien species, educate people and improve knowledge on forest resources for sustainable use. They will promote programmes that foster the exchange of environmental information between the regions, to increase the resilience of these habitats to climate change.
Sharing knowledge
The project builds on the transfer and exchange of information implemented on the islands since 2006. The resulting collaboration between government authorities and private operators has helped these initiatives to thrive and develop.
Staff training programmes were implemented and drones and other new technologies introduced into forestry management. Environmental education initiatives included a workshop on invasive exotic species on the island of Fuerteventura in May 2018. A celebration in Madeira of ‘VIII Jornadas de Forestales de la Macaronesia en Madeira’ took place in November 2017. Another celebration, ‘IX Jornadas Forestales de la Macaronesia’ took place in Cape Verde in March 2019.
Research and renovation
The project has developed an inventory of trees detailing their characteristics and conservation status. The result was a list of 100 trees specific to Macaronesia, composed of 25 trees from each of the four regions.
A guide to the invasive species in the regions was collated and research was carried out to analyse the effect these exotic species have on the environment.
A further study was conducted on the impact of wild rabbit populations on natural, forestry and agricultural ecosystems.
Various trails were inventoried and improved. A greenhouse on the island of Boa Vista, Cape Verde, was renovated.
These environmental projects increased employment on the islands. Local consultancies specialising in environmental matters, as well as project management companies, have created jobs and subsequently improved the quality of life of people in rural areas.
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Floresta AçoresNaturalisation of the Environment of the “Pino De La Virgen De El Paso La Palma”Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “VALCONMAC – Project for the recovery and conservation of resources Forestry in the MACARONESIA” is EUR 1 473 660, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 252 611 through the “INTERREG V-A España-Portugal MAC (Madeira-Azores-Canarias)” Cooperation Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Conserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency”.