Life Nieblas

The Project

The general objective of the project is to test innovative fog collectors and innovative ways of reforestation in degraded areas and prove their effectiveness, costs and benefits.

Deforestation and desertification are two of the principal causes of biodiversity loss and soil degradation. These phenomena are mostly caused by climate change and human activity. Deforestation and desertification are caused by a decrease in rain events and groundwater infiltration.

LIFE NIEBLAS kicked off early 2020 and has a projection of four years. The project will take place in Gran Canaria and Portugal.

The aim of this project is to improve degraded landscape reforesting using the endemic vegetation of the area. In this regard, we closely work with Natura 2000 Network, protecting and promoting endemic and native species as laid down by Annex I of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC.

Additionally, other objectives involve the testing of different types of irrigation systems and water collection. It is expected that 100% of the water requirements of the project will be covered by the Fog Water Collectors (FWC).

One of LIFE NIEBLAS' principal pillars is to share results and findings yielded, as to involve different research entities and local communities.

The budget for this project is €2,185,777 from which 55% has been funded by the European Commission (Life Programme) and 33% by Cabildo de Gran Canaria. Below, you can see the remaining contributors.

Objectives

1.-  Reforesting degraded areas with native plants using water from the different types of water collectors and different methods of irrigation.

2.- To increase the vegetation coverage, thus achieving greater water filtration, decrease runoff, and increase the soil water absorption capacity. Hence, increasing environmental quality of the area (increasing biodiversity and reducing carbon footprint).

3.- To compare the efficiency of all water collectors and irrigation systems. 100% of the water needed will be provided by the water collectors.

4.- Create synergies and collaboration between local and european administrative bodies, ibut also community awareness on the relevance of forest cover regarding water resources; showing the environmental importance of its conservation, recovery, maintenance and extension as a resiliency tool in climate change mitigation.

5.- Generate resources to promote the project and the replication of the applied methodologies.

Nieblas