Equipment evaluation and selection. Monitoring protocols.

In terms of the reforestation and irrigation methodologies, the required equipment has been chosen through technical research and experience from previous projects. This allows an efficient development of Action C2.

From irrigation installation materials and water tanks to hand tools and vehicles, the best quality possible has been chosen following regulatory standards. Regular inspections and auditing is conducted by technicians and H&S officers (i.e., MOTs, general maintenance) ensuring the correct functioning of all equipment and a sound reforestation development.

Economically it should be noted that Life Nieblas has faced an unprecedented mayor setback, the COVID-19 global pandemic. Lockdown pushed businesses, organisations, institutions and individuals to a situation never seen or lived before. As it happens with all socio-economic crises, an aftershock of consequences from different nature has been experienced affecting the implementation and cost of several actions. Since Life Nieblas’ proposal phase in 2019 the economy worldwide has experienced a drastic readjustment. There has been an increase in materials prices, manufacturing and transport costs. Market fluctuations hinder and in some cases compromise budgetary equilibrium. These unforeseen circumstances have definitely supposed a raise on the final total spending. For instance, the delivery of Cocoons (delivered from the Netherlands) was delayed much longer than expected. Nevertheless this did not delay implementation phases at any of the reforestation areas due to technical strategy adaptation.

In Gran Canaria, all methodologies have been implemented within year 1 reforestations and currently continue on its second season. Three AFDS tanks have been installed which irrigate 1139 plants in total 380 per tank. In traditional method 2036 seedlings have been planted. In terms of IFWC, the field team has been able to implement the method in three different areas IFWC1, IFWC2 & IFWC3 with a total of 3823. The implementation of Cocoon amounts to 1525 individuals.

In Portugal, All methodologies have been implemented at Carregal Do Sal area excluding AFDS system. This last system is currently awaiting effectiveness data drawn from the piloting site at Gran Canaria. The decision to not install AFDS’ system in Portugal has been made by technicians in order to maximise resources and human efforts for a before-non-tested device. The economic and logistics factors involved in AFDS’s shipment and set up (including engineers and technicians travelling to Portugal) are large enough as to not make it viable at current development stage.  As per Vouzela, currently only ground conditioning has taken place. Reforestation activities will follow the same plan drawn for Carregal do Sal.