The Asturian Operational Group of Innovation (GOI) “Sustainability of the Eucalyptus Globulus” presented last week the conclusions of the work it has developed during the last months. He did so in the framework of the Asturforesta International Forestry Fair, which was held at the Armayán de Tineo mountain (Asturias). After the work that has been developed, the team defends the need to provide simple, flexible and adjusted cooperation solutions to owners, supported by technological advances, as well as the importance of obtaining fiscal incentives for forestry, as key elements to improve the forest management in Asturias
The group, coordinated by Ence from Ceasa, is also made up of the main associations related to the Asturian forestry sector, such as Asmadera, Profoas and Asymas. The Director of Forest Management of Ence, Alejandro Oliveros, was in charge of presenting the results of the group’s work, which traveled to Portugal, France and Navarre to learn first-hand successful experiences in forest management and thus complete its objective: to elaborate a project that integrates innovative solutions to increase the sustainability of eucalyptus plantations in the Principality of Asturias.
According to the data provided by the group, the eucalyptus occupies 8 percent of the Asturian forest area (60,000 hectares), and at the same time generates more than 70 percent of the wood cuttings for transformation: 850,000 cubic meters during the past year . Thus, this species generates 30 million euros per year for the thousands of forest producers who grow it, and another 20 million for concepts such as harvesting and transportation. Asturias imports one million cubic meters of eucalyptus wood per year; number that is increasing.
Among the problems identified by the group are abandonment, silviculture and inadequate infrastructures, excessive rotations, fungi, regulatory and bureaucratic complexity, fragmented management and disinformation and image of eucalyptus in society.
That is why they intend to improve the situation of the area planted with eucalyptus in Asturias and enhance its sustainability, working on three axes that will help maximize efficiency and environmental excellence in its management: social innovation to achieve a grouping of forest management and the organization of the value chain; the improvement of silviculture and the vegetable materials used; and the improvement in planning through the application of technological tools for information and management.
