The CLIMAFORCEELIFE project consortium held its fifth annual project meeting on 12 and 13 June in Smolenice, Slovakia.
The first day of the meeting started with the Steering Committee Meeting where major results and challenges were discussed. It was followed by the step-by-step discussion of the project actions with the participation of the project partner representatives.
The second day was dedicated to a field trip organized by the Forests of the Slovak Republic forestry enterprise. First, partners visited the Zahorie region project sites where different experimental interventions, designed by CULS, were showcased in the relevant forest areas. Near Malacky, experimental thinning is being undertaken in different locations to boost natural regeneration of scots pine stands, while in other areas innovative artificial regeneration methods are tested. Other methods to support natural regeneration are applied as well, such as different intensity soil preparation methods and fencing in order to reduce the nibbling of games. The interventions will be evaluated and further ones will be based on the experience.
On the Sekule Moravsky Jan site thinning with a small harvester was showcased. At Bulkovec, the interventions are implemented to enhance the soil protection role of the forest. On another site near Bulkovec, a water reservoir system has been reconstructed within the project in order to retain water in the forest.
After lunch, the Majdan site at the Small Carpathian area was visited by the project partners. Reconstruction works started in 2022 here. The spruce stands were removed and replaced by beech, oak, mountain maple and larch, which are more typical species here. Within 7 years this area should become self-sustainable.
Photos: FSR, WWF BG, WWF HU, WWF SK
