Tree planting with ICNF in Fão, Portugal
Tree planting with ICNF in Fão, Portugal
The One More Tree Foundation, together with ICNF and the North Coast Nature Park, had the honour of co-organising Sunday’s tree-planting event in Fão, Portugal. This ecological initiative, which took place on 17 March, brought together more than 40 volunteers, including members of local associations and communities.
Purpose of the Event
The event aimed to rehabilitate a pine forest in Ofir/Fão by planting around 400 pine (Pinus pinea) seedlings, which is one of the native tree species in Portugal. Not only did the pine saplings find their place during this action, but invasive plant species such as Sydney Golden Wattle (Acacia longifolia) and Carpobrotus edulis, which posed a threat to the local fauna and flora, were also removed.
Community support
The volunteers supporting this initiative not only contributed to the planting of the trees but also took an active role in the fight against invasive plant species, allowing the new plantings to grow healthily and safely. These activities are of great importance to the conservation and greening of the North Coast Nature Park areas.
Importance of Planting Native Tree Species
- Native tree species are woody plant species that occur naturally in a geographical region, without human introduction. They are well adapted to local soil, climatic, and ecological conditions, making them key components of natural ecosystems.
- Native tree species are an integral part of local ecosystems and support biodiversity by providing shelter, food, and habitat for many plant and animal species.
- Native tree species are adapted to local climatic conditions, making them more resilient to droughts, floods, storms, and other extreme weather events.
- In Poland, there are such native tree species as the pedunculate oak and the Scots pine. In Portugal, the Portuguese cork tree, pinyon pine, and pin oak can be found. Argentina, on the other hand, is home to lapacho and cebil. Japan, on the other hand, has sugi and Japanese maple.
- Planting native trees can be an excellent opportunity to educate local communities about the importance of conservation and encourage engagement in sustainable practices.
What are Invasive Plant Species?
Invasive plant species are plants that have been introduced into a new environment from outside their natural range and have begun to spread rapidly, disrupting existing ecosystems. They are characterized by their rapid reproductive rate and their ability to dominate native plant species, often leading to biodiversity depletion. Invasive plants can cause a range of negative impacts, including habitat destruction, competition for resources, changes in species composition, and destabilisation of ecosystems. Their control and eradication are important to maintain ecological balance and protect local wildlife.
As threats to the environment continue to grow, initiatives such as this one become increasingly important. The actions taken by the One More Tree Foundation, in partnership with local communities and NGOs, to protect and restore our natural environment are an inspiring example. These efforts give us hope for a better future for our planet.
We are delighted that our efforts have reached as far as the coast of Portugal. Anyone wishing to join us in future tree-planting campaigns is warmly invited to do so! At the same time, we thank everyone for their participation and support.
