**The monitoring of forestry projects after they have been implemented is fundamental and a cornerstone of our action. Reforest'Action has a rigorous monitoring process, adapted to geographical zones and project types. In France and Europe, remote monitoring is complemented by a field audit carried out by Reforest'Action project managers at least once during the first five years following project implementation. Analysis of the data generated by this monitoring process is used to formulate management recommendations and apply corrective measures as part of a continuous improvement process. Here are the results of the monitoring campaign carried out between April and November 2023 on a panel of projects located in Europe.**

![Saint-Angel-2.jpg](/uploads/Saint_Angel_2_6e5de276b1.jpg)
 
## Monitor projects remotely to assess their health
### What is the remote project monitoring protocol?

Remote monitoring is based on information transmitted by the project implementers (forest owners or managers) via a digital data collection tool and, where applicable, by telephone. Reforest'Action project managers then analyze the data, which includes tree survival rates, plot health, potential damage, the presence of biodiversity-friendly elements, and actions taken by the plot owner or manager to ensure the success of the project.

This remote monitoring enables us to check the general condition of the projects and the proper development of the stands, to enrich Reforest'Action's knowledge of each project and to prepare for future field visits. 
 
### What are the results of remote monitoring in 2023?
 
#### Evaluating the survival rate

In 2023, 294 data forms from projects in France and the rest of Europe were received and processed by Reforest'Action as part of the distant monitoring campaign in 2023. These forms submitted by the project implementers reported an average survival rate of 79.84%. This rate measures the number of healthy trees in relation to the total number of trees planted as part of a project. In total, by 2023, 71% of remotely monitored projects across Europe will have a very good survival rate, of 80% or more.  
 
#### Game and drought, two frequent causes of damage

The most common types of damage to young forests are those inflicted by game, which affected almost half of the projects monitored in Europe in 2023, but also those linked to climate. Drought episodes, characterized by prolonged rainfall deficits and increasingly frequent in a context of global warming, had an impact on 60.2% of projects monitored remotely across Europe in 2023. Despite these frequent biotic and climatic hazards, only 3.74% of projects actually suffer from poor overall health according to the remote surveys, representing a cumulative total of 3,370.66 hectares, or around 4 million plants.
 
### What corrective measures will be put in place for projects that need them?

For projects with less satisfactory survival rates, corrective measures will be implemented in accordance with the contractual commitment of the project implementers. For example, replanting, which consists of renewing planting operations in areas where reforestation has failed, may be carried out to enable these projects to approach a survival rate of 80%.

From Reforest'Action's point of view, these projects will be monitored more closely in the coming year, to verify the improvement in stand health. In the rare case of a project subject to a major hazard, such as a fire or flood, Reforest'Action observes the evolution of the post-hazard ecosystem to decide on the best course of action. This is a long-term, case-by-case process. 

In addition, we recommend that, before planting, project implementers use the funding they receive not only to carry out planting operations, but also to properly prepare the plots and protect the young seedlings from the teeth of game. 

![Suivi-terrain_Maine-et-loire_2023_ReforestAction-20.jpg](/uploads/Suivi_terrain_Maine_et_loire_2023_Reforest_Action_20_e65576b8e3.jpg)
 
## Audit projects in the field to ensure their success
### How does Reforest'Action select the projects audited in the field?

Field monitoring is carried out by Reforest'Action project managers within the region for which they are responsible. Because there are so many projects to monitor (over 1,500 projects have been developed in France and Europe since 2010), field monitoring is prioritized before each annual campaign. The aim of this prioritization is to first target projects for which remote monitoring has revealed potential problems. It also aims to ensure that all projects will be monitored in the field at least once during the five years following a project's operational implementation. 
 
### What does involve a project monitoring in the field?

In order to carry out field monitoring, sampling is first carried out within the plot concerned, in order to determine sub-plots that are considered representative of the plot's general condition: some sub-plots are thus established within a dense vegetation zone, others within a zone with a low survival rate, and still others according to the plot's specific topographical conditions (altitude, slope level, rocky or wet environment...). This stratification process, which can be carried out by remote sensing, enables us to set up an operational monitoring system that reflects the reality of the project as objectively as possible. 

Within these plots, a manual count is then carried out by the Reforest'Action project manager, who records the number of living and dead trees, the species observed and the potential presence of natural regeneration. Each type of project (forestry or agroforestry projects, urban micro-forestry projects, Assisted Natural Regeneration projects or Low-Carbon label projects) has its own monitoring protocol defined by Reforest'Action.  
 
![Suivi-terrain_Maine-et-loire_2023_ReforestAction-08.jpg](/uploads/Suivi_terrain_Maine_et_loire_2023_Reforest_Action_08_2c38dd64d5.jpg)

### What are the results of field monitoring in 2023?
 
In 2023, field audits took place from April to November. For all 204 projects visited by Reforest'Action in Europe during this period, the average recovery rate was 88.43%.
 
#### 90% of projects validated

Of these 204 projects, 182 (or almost 90% of the projects audited) have been validated by Reforest'Action, i.e. the project manager has assessed that the future of the ecosystem is assured given its evolution. This validation takes into account the project's survival rate, which must be greater than 80% of the total density, including natural regeneration. 

Among the validated projects, the one in Hardelot, Pas-de-Calais, was visited by Laetitia Bernard, Reforest'Action's East of France project manager. _“This project was carried out between 2017 and 2018 to restore a forest affected by ash chalarosis, a parasitic disease that causes the trees it affects to die back,”_ explains Laetitia. _“During our field audit in 2023, we noted an excellent recovery of the planted trees, close to 90%, despite the regular droughts that have affected the department since 2017. Composed of beech, small-leaf lime and hornbeam, the young forest restored thanks to the project is now enriched by clumps of black alder, naturally regenerated and preserved by the forest manager to further accentuate the diversity of the stand. Hardelot is a fine example of a successful project, validated by Reforest'Action's field monitoring."_
 
#### 10% of projects to be corrected

For the remaining 22 projects, considered as “to be corrected”, Reforest'Action formulated written or oral recommendations to forest owners, proposing corrective actions to be implemented or pursued in order to ensure the health and sustainability of the forest ecosystem. 

_“This is the case, for example, of the La Tour-de-Sçay project in the Doubs region of France"_, continues Laetitia Bernard. _“The initial work, carried out in 2019, was aimed at reforesting a plot formerly populated by spruce trees affected by the bark beetle, a wood-eating insect. The species initially chosen were Douglas fir, field maple and walnut. But the Douglas fir seedlings didn't take well. They were replaced by cedars in 2020. When we followed up in the field in 2023, the recovery rate of the cedars was very good. On the other hand, we noted the failure of the maple and walnut plantations, despite two attempts at replanting. We therefore decided, in agreement with the forest manager, to support the natural regeneration of beech, fir and oak trees observed on the plot, and to supplement it with new cedar seedlings, which are particularly well adapted to the site. This evolutionary management of the project will optimize the health and stability of the forest ecosystem."_
 
### A central observation: the need to adapt forests to climate change

In the field, the same trend was observed as in the distant follow-up with regard to the most frequently observed damage: 44.6% of the projects audited in 2023 were affected by biotic hazards, particularly game, and 32% by climatic damage, mainly linked to drought. 

_“These field audits confirm the need to adapt tomorrow's forests to climate change, and to rely on species that are already present and more resistant via the Assisted Natural Regeneration method"_, says Thibaud Poulain, Head of Reforest'Action's Temperate Forests Division. _“The diversification of tree species, in particular, is key to increasing the stability and resilience of ecosystems in the face of future hazards. The selection of different tree species in the design of projects is therefore one of the pillars of Reforest'Action's specifications."_

![Suivi_terrain_Saint-Christol-1_Reforestaction-25.jpg](/uploads/Suivi_terrain_Saint_Christol_1_Reforestaction_25_3f1f11c124.jpg)

## Ecocert Environnement certification

In addition to Reforest'Action's remote and field monitoring protocol, a partnership with Ecocert Environnement was set up in 2020 to have our projects verified by an independent third party. Ecocert Environnement is an auditor specializing in the certification and control of environmental projects, and verifies a series of criteria based on a sampling protocol for projects financed by Reforest'Action. 

In particular, Ecocert Environnement check the name and location of the forestry project, the year the work was carried out, the species planted or regenerated, the health of the plot, the survival rate observed, as well as the reality of the financing raised by Reforest'Action and compliance with the general terms and conditions of sale. 

At each audit visit, Ecocert Environnement's conclusions are backed up by corrective measures that enable us to pursue our continuous improvement approach. In 2023, a panel of 17 projects was audited by Ecocert Environnement, of which 16 were validated and 1 remains to be corrected.

Ecocert Environnement also carries out an administrative review of projects and their management, which includes checking forest owners' commitments, invoices for plant purchases and certificates of origin.
 
![Suivi_terrain_Saint-Jean-Chambre_Reforestaction-05.jpg](/uploads/Suivi_terrain_Saint_Jean_Chambre_Reforestaction_05_33a2f1dc67.jpg)

**In a context of climate change and increased risk of hazards inherent in natural ecosystems, we make it a priority to monitor the projects we develop. This operational monitoring phase aims to verify the success of projects over the five years following their implementation. An impact measurement process will then be deployed on certain projects from the sixth year onwards, to assess the health and stability of the ecosystem and measure the impacts generated by the project on the climate, biodiversity, the soil-water system and the socio-economic sphere. Measuring all these impacts will enable us to observe the multifunctionality of ecosystems, and check their resistance and renewal in the face of disturbance. This will make it easier to support projects over the long term, by implementing a management approach that is increasingly adapted to their evolution.**

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Projects monitoring in Europe: a rigorous process for assessing the health of restored ecosystems

**While a quarter of all known plant and animal species are now endangered, initiatives continue to develop to help preserve them. Among these, The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) is the only international standard to recognize and encourage the protection, restoration and enhancement of biodiversity. As part of the TGBS technical and scientific network, Reforest'Action contributes its expertise in forest ecosystem restoration and impact measurement to develop remote sensing monitoring tools, particularly for assessing plant biodiversity.**
 
![Global-Biodiversity-Standard-0.jpg](/uploads/Global_Biodiversity_Standard_0_2bb73c5ee0.jpg)

## Global biodiversity under threat
 
With a quarter of known plant and animal species now on the brink of extinction, biodiversity loss is one of the top five global risks to society over the next ten years, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Risk Report 2023. Synonymous with biological diversity, biodiversity encompasses the taxonomic, functional and structural diversity of living species. Through the ecological services it provides, biodiversity is essential to maintaining the integrity and resilience of ecosystems. 

Among the main indicators of global biodiversity loss, the decline in the extent of forests underlines their essential role as reservoirs of terrestrial biodiversity when they were the native ecosystem in place. They are home to over 80% of the planet's known terrestrial species. In this respect, a better understanding and preservation of forest biodiversity is essential to help halt the onset of the sixth mass extinction.
 
![Global-Biodiversity-Standard-1.jpg](/uploads/Global_Biodiversity_Standard_1_4d330f21cc.jpg)

## The creation of an international standard dedicated to biodiversity
 
### The ambition of the Global Biodiversity Standard

Introduced in 2022, [The Global Biodiversity Standard](https://www.biodiversitystandard.org/) (TGBS) is the only international standard to recognize and encourage the protection, restoration and enhancement of biodiversity. Against a backdrop of increasing numbers of forest creation and restoration projects, this standard aims to develop best practices for creating positive impacts on biodiversity, notably by diversifying tree communities and integrating native species into project design. In the long term, The Global Biodiversity Standard hopes to place biodiversity at the heart of all initiatives that help combat climate change and develop the livelihoods of local communities.
 
### Towards the certification of projects based on the restoration and protection of biodiversity

Based on an international scientific and technical network that includes IUCN & Botanic Garden Conservation International, CIFOR-ICRAF, Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew), Society for Ecological Restoration and Reforest'Action, The Global Biodiversity Standard is currently testing its certification method in real-life conditions, in collaboration with botanical gardens in India, Kenya, Peru, Brazil, Madagascar, Uganda, Malaysia, Jordan and Hong Kong. 

Projects submitted for The Global Biodiversity Standard certification will be assessed against criteria derived from the “10 Golden Rules for Reforestation”. This scientific paper, promulgated by Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew) and Botanic Garden Conservation International, provides guidance on how to ensure that reforestation projects promote biodiversity restoration, carbon sequestration and the creation of socio-economic benefits for local communities. 

Projects certified by The Global Biodiversity Standard must:
- Select appropriate sites to enhance native biodiversity.
- Enhance protection of existing habitats and biodiversity.
- Protect, restore and manage biodiversity in consultation and partnership with local communities and other stakeholders.
- Aim to maximise biodiversity recovery through ecosystem restoration.
- Avoid and reduce invasive or potentially invasive species.
- Prioritise the use of native, threatened and rare species.
- Promote biodiversity and adaptive capacity.
- Implement robust monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management of biodiversity.
 
 ![Global-Biodiversity-Standard-2.jpg](/uploads/Global_Biodiversity_Standard_2_0ed75a2841.jpg)
 
## Reforest'Action's role in The Global Biodiversity Standard
 
### The contribution to remote sensing of forest biodiversity assessment

As part of The Global Biodiversity Standard's technical and scientific network, Reforest'Action brings its expertise in forest ecosystem restoration and impact measurement to the development of remote sensing monitoring tools. Reforest'Action offers The Global Biodiversity Standard a catalog of tools dedicated to remote sensing measurements. These measurements are carried out both upstream of project implementation, and downstream, as part of project monitoring. 

While tree species diversity has traditionally been assessed through field studies using samples from selected plots, this process is time-consuming and costly for large-scale analysis. Today, remote sensing provides new ways of monitoring vegetation biodiversity, offering the possibility of generating data sets to track environmental changes over the long term. This remote monitoring makes it possible to detect changes taking place within the forest cover, and thus to refine field sampling, in order to prioritize studies within areas that appear to be experiencing more or less positive evolution than others. As a complement to remote sensing, field monitoring remains essential for its accuracy, its ability to validate remote monitoring data and to calibrate the latter by providing real data to refine analyses.
 
### A tool for mapping tree species diversity in canopies

Among the catalog of tools offered by Reforest'Action to The Global Biodiversity Standard, Reforest'Action's Impact Department is collaborating directly with the standard to develop a tool dedicated to mapping the diversity of tree species within canopies. Based on a concept developed by J.-B. Féret and G. P. Asner (2014) and powered by images from Sentinel-2, a satellite in the European Space Agency's Copernicus program, the methodology and tool, re-appropriated by Reforest'Action, enables analysis of the spatial distribution of spectral species, those vegetation zones that include one or more plant species with a similar spectral signature. 

In other words, the tool can be used to assess the diversity of species within a given plot by grouping them into categories known as “spectral species”, based on their physical and biochemical properties (physiological state, water and pigment content, etc.). “Initially, we were looking for a way to measure spatial (within a project area) and temporal (over time) changes in forest stand diversity using remote sensing, in order to better guide sampling during field surveys,” explains Richard Sourbès, Reforest'Action's impact manager. “Based on the method developed by J.-B. Féret and G. P. Asner, we have developed our own tool with innovations that enable us to further refine our remote and field monitoring. While this tool has been used so far mainly in the field of research, Reforest'Action is now applying it for the first time to the operational monitoring of forest restoration projects. This innovative approach is in line with the more general use of remote sensing in the development of our forestry projects - from the design phase through to monitoring.”
 
### A field mission led by Reforest'Action to refine the tool and methodology

During a mission carried out in February 2024 as part of an international workshop organized by The Global Biodiversity Standard, a team from Reforest'Action's Impact Unit travelled to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest to compare estimated remote sensing data with data collected in the field, particularly in terms of tree species diversity in the canopy. “The aim of this mission was to compare the estimate given by satellite imagery with observation in the field, in order to verify their correlation and refine our methodology and tool”, continues Richard Sourbès. “In concrete terms, our experiments in some twenty forest and agroforestry plots demonstrated a strong relationship between the distribution of spectral tree species and that of tree species actually observed in the field.” 

This field mission showed encouraging results in terms of the relevance of monitoring spectral species as a proxy for plant diversity in the canopy. The increasing number of projects monitored using this method will enable us to improve its accuracy in the future, by adapting it to the different stages of maturity and types of forest studied by Reforest'Action. 

Ultimately, this tool should enable us to better control the evolution of our remote sensing projects, so as to optimize our field monitoring missions. It also aims to provide a better understanding of the factors influencing plant diversity and its evolution over time, so as to be able to propose corrective measures as soon as a negative evolution is detected (for example, the presence of an invasive species). Ultimately, this tool will strengthen the adaptive management of our projects and ensure the long-term survival of forest ecosystems.  

![Global-Biodiversity-Standard-4.jpg](/uploads/Global_Biodiversity_Standard_4_e23d45b127.jpg)

_To find out more about the spectral species method developed by Reforest'Action, read our dedicated article: “[Spectral species: an innovative method for studying plant biodiversity from space](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/spectral-species-monitoring-plant-biodiversity-from-space)”._


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Monitoring biodiversity to better preserve it: Reforest'Action's expertise at the service of The Global Biodiversity Standard

**Richard Sourbès, Impact Officer for Reforest'Action, is responsible for monitoring and measuring impact using remote sensing and geomatics (GIS) tools. He explains the needs met by these tools and what they bring to the design of our forest and agroforestry ecosystem restoration projects, as well as to the monitoring of their results.**

![Banniere-Richard-Sourbes-Impact.jpg](/uploads/Banniere_Richard_Sourbes_Impact_7300ae7e38.jpg)
 
### How is impact management a cornerstone of Reforest'Action's activities?
 
**Richard Sourbès :** Scientific and technological innovations, such as satellite tracking and artificial intelligence, are opening up new perspectives to support the development of forestry and agroforestry ecosystem restoration projects. Since 2021, Reforest'Action has been conducting research to develop an information and data analysis system around our projects and their impacts. This system, based in particular on remote sensing and geomatics, is crucial to increasing the efficiency of our activities and bringing transparency to the investors who fund our projects. It aims to guide both the design and the monitoring and evaluation of our projects' results over the long term. 
 
### How do remote sensing and geomatics (GIS) fit together?
 
**Richard Sourbès :** Remote sensing uses raster data acquired remotely by spaceborne sensors (satellites) or airborne sensors (drones) to analyze the physico-chemical characteristics of land surfaces across a range of spectral bands.

Geomatics, or geographic information systems (GIS), combine cartography, computer science and statistical analysis to process vector data, i.e. georeferenced data (characterized by GPS coordinates). 

At Reforest'Action, these two disciplines are used in complementary ways. Remote sensing provides us with satellite images overlaid with GIS databases, such as topographic and hydrographic data. Combined, remote sensing images and GIS databases enable us to carry out high-quality geospatial analyses. 
 
### How does geospatial analysis play a part in the design phase of a project?
 
**Richard Sourbès :** Before a project is implemented, a study is carried out to analyze its priorities and constraints, as well as its suitability for our specifications or for certification to an international carbon standard. Data analysis by Reforest'Action's Impact Department begins with this preliminary study.  

In particular, we analyze the landscape matrix of the project area using satellite images and geospatial databases, to estimate land cover typology, soil composition and relief. We also carry out a risk analysis to determine whether the project area is prone to deforestation, fire or flooding. 

In this phase, we produce a number of maps, the analysis of which enables us to contextualize the project and gain a better understanding of the issues specific to its ecosystem typology. By overlaying the maps obtained, we can then estimate the high-potential areas in which we can develop our project. 
 
### How can geospatial analysis be used to guide field monitoring of the health of restored ecosystems?
 
**Richard Sourbès :** Prior to the monitoring missions carried out by Reforest'Action in the field during the first five years of the project, the sample plots to be audited can be defined using satellite images, which are analyzed to produce a stratification of the project. This involves dividing the project area into several sub-plots that are homogeneous in terms of project design, vegetation types and topography. This stratification process is then used to set up an operational monitoring system that reflects the reality of the project as objectively as possible. 

Remote sensing is also used to assess forest ecosystem health from a distance, before verifying it in the field. Analysis of the vegetation moisture content index (Normalized Difference Moisture Index - NDMI) and biomass density index (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index - NDVI) provides an overview of vegetation vigour in the project area, and identifies potential malfunctions, such as water stress. 

![NDVI-NDMI.jpg](/uploads/NDVI_NDMI_d3abca0d6e.jpg)

Field missions, guided by this analysis, will then aim to explore areas identified remotely as being in a potential state of stress, but also those that appear healthier, in order to better understand the ecosystem characteristics at the root of this differential.

These tools enable us to better monitor the progress of our projects, optimize field follow-up missions and suggest corrective measures as soon as a negative trend is detected.
 
### How can remote sensing be used to assess plant diversity within a forest ecosystem?
 
**Richard Sourbès :** In collaboration with [The Global Biodiversity Standard](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/the-global-biodiversity-standard-reforestaction), Reforest'Action has developed a method and tools dedicated to mapping [tree species diversity within canopies](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/spectral-species-monitoring-plant-biodiversity-from-space), based on a concept by J.-B. Féret and G. P. Asner. These tools are fed by satellite images. They allow us to evaluate, by proxy, the biological diversity of canopy species within a given plot, by grouping them into categories called “spectral species” according to their physical and biochemical properties. Using remote sensing, we can thus measure the evolution of forest diversity within a project area over time. 
 
### How can the spectral species method better integrate plant biodiversity into forest management?
 
**Richard Sourbès :** This method and its associated tools are invaluable for forest management and restoration projects. The georeferenced data obtained can be used to deliver an initial diagnosis of canopy plant biodiversity at forest scale, to better understand the ecological and environmental factors that promote or hinder this diversity, to establish good practices that lead to high diversity, or to adopt corrective measures in the opposite case. Forest managers can then draw on this data to develop their management practices in order to optimize species diversity, as well as the stability and resilience of the forest ecosystem as a whole. 

![Interview-Richard-remote-sensing.jpg](/uploads/Interview_Richard_remote_sensing_65d7a8d050.jpg)


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Remote sensing and geomatics: technological innovation to support forestry and agroforestry projects

**To improve the monitoring of forest restoration projects, remote sensing can provide complementary indicators and support field surveys. By making it possible to monitor canopy diversity, the spatial distribution of plant species and forest evolution over time, the spectral species method and its associated tools developed by Reforest'Action are invaluable in forest management and restoration projects. They aim to enable forest managers to evolve their practices in order to optimize species diversity, as well as the stability and resilience of the forest ecosystem as a whole.** 

![Spectral-Species-canopy.jpg](/uploads/Spectral_Species_canopy_39e93e4b05.jpg)
 
## Remote sensing applied to the monitoring of vegetation
 
### Analyzing terrestrial ecosystems from space

Space-based remote sensing enables us to observe terrestrial environments using remote data acquisition methods based on the properties of electromagnetic radiation. Satellite sensors can measure the amount of energy (reflectance) reflected or emitted by a surface as a function of the wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum, and analyze and monitor changes in the surface over time. The total reflectance recorded in each spectral band (blue, green, red, infrared, etc.) forms the object's “spectral signature”. Each surface thus has its own spectral signature, enabling it to be identified on satellite images.
 
### Defining the spectral signature of plant species

Remote sensing makes it possible to establish the spectral signature of plants by analyzing their optical properties in the visible, near-infrared and mid-infrared ranges. These properties depend in particular on the vegetation's cellular structure, as well as its water and pigment content. 
- **Cell structure.** The anatomical structure of leaves plays a significant role in the spectral signature of vegetation at longer wavelengths. Near-infrared radiation passes through the leaf to the cell layer, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. In this layer, near-infrared radiation is strongly reflected. It therefore depends directly on leaf anatomy. 
- **Water content.** Leaf water content is also a factor influencing vegetation's spectral signature in the mid-infrared wavelengths. The higher the water content, the lower the reflectance of vegetation. In remote sensing, this wavelength range is used to identify water-stressed vegetation cover.
- **Leaf pigment content.** All plants contain green pigments (chlorophyll), orange pigments (carotenes) and blue-red pigments (anthocyanins). The presence of these leaf pigments (particularly chlorophyll, which is the most abundant) in plants is responsible for their high absorption of visible radiation.

These three elements vary according to season, plant species and life cycle. In other words, the spectral signature of vegetation is not constant. It reflects differences in the structure and characteristics of plant cover. 
 
![Spectral-species-canopy-from-ground.jpg](/uploads/Spectral_species_canopy_from_ground_72dbe3beac.jpg)

## The spectral species method

### From spectral signatures to spectral species: identifying the spatial distribution of plant species

At the scale of a forest plot, remote sensing can identify different spectral signatures, which can be distinguished and attributed to distinct plant species, grouped under categories known as “spectral species”. 

“Through opensource platforms, we have access to Copernicus satellite data, which is revisited every five days or so. We can download the current satellite view of a plot within one of our projects by entering its GPS coordinates,” explains Richard Sourbès, Impact Officer for Reforest'Action. “We then process this data using the Python programming language. On the satellite view, each pixel represents a surface that emits energy in 12 spectral bands. These reflectances in each spectral band are recovered by our software. They make up the spectral signature of the forest surface analyzed. We then try to classify each pixel into groups called spectral species according to the similarity of their signatures, and we thus obtain an estimate of the number of different species present in the canopy.”

This method provides a map of the spatial distribution of spectral species observed in the forest. The map takes the form of a satellite view of the plot, with each pixel color corresponding to a spectral species. 

![Spectral-species-map.jpg](/uploads/Spectral_species_map_ae538870db.jpg)
 
### From the spatial distribution of species to an index of their diversity: monitoring plant biodiversity

This first tool can then be used to calculate diversity indices, in particular the Shannon index. The Shannon index is the most commonly used diversity index in ecology. It is used to calculate species richness and distribution within a forest. In other words, the more numerous and evenly distributed the plant species, the higher the index. 

Reforest'Action uses the Shannon index to determine the specific diversity of spectral species, which is an indicator of the biological (taxonomic) diversity of canopy species. This plant diversity is represented in the form of a heat map, which locates, in warm color, spots of high plant diversity, and in cold color, spots of low plant diversity. It is then possible to follow the evolution of this biodiversity throughout the forest's growth. 

“In concrete terms, the forest stand is re-divided into cells of around 1000 m2, in which the abundance of each of the spectral species present is calculated”, explains Richard Sourbès. “In other words, the Shannon index is calculated by a simple change of scale: going from a 10x10 m pixel to a 33x33 m pixel, we obtain zones containing a greater or lesser diversity of spectral species, enabling us to identify the most diverse areas of the plot studied. Within a cell, the more numerous and evenly distributed the spectral species, the higher the Shannon index.  Conversely, a cell containing a single spectral species will have a Shannon index equal to zero, representing zero species diversity.” 

This mapping is particularly important: it enables field monitoring missions to be steered more effectively, in particular by targeting sampling zones adapted to the results of remote monitoring, and by enabling more precise management recommendations to be formulated. The tool also complements field surveys, which cannot be carried out on all forest stands, as they sometimes extend over dozens or even hundreds of hectares.

![Shannon-Index-Map.jpg](/uploads/Shannon_Index_Map_4dc16676fd.jpg)
 
## Valuable tools for monitoring restoration projects

By making it possible to monitor canopy diversity, the spatial distribution of plant species and forest evolution over time, the spectral species method and its associated tools (spectral species map, Shannon index) are invaluable in forest management and restoration projects. 

Because the data obtained is geo-referenced, it is particularly effective for locating potential invasive species that could threaten the stability of the forest ecosystem, or a lack of species diversity at stand level. They can be used to provide an initial diagnosis of canopy plant biodiversity on a forest scale, to better understand the ecological and environmental factors that favor or hinder plant biodiversity, to establish good practices that lead to high diversity, or to take corrective measures in the opposite case.  

Forest managers can use this data to develop their management practices to optimize species diversity, as well as the stability and resilience of the forest ecosystem as a whole. 

In the medium term, the aim is to be able to calculate the Shannon index for all our projects, in order to monitor the diversity of species represented on the forest plots that have been restored. This index will enable us to measure the impact generated by our projects in terms of plant biodiversity restoration, and will join a range of impact measurement tools currently being developed by Reforest'Action's Innovation & Impact Department.

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Spectral species: an innovative method for monitoring plant biodiversity from space

**On the heights of the Swiss Alps, between the municipalities of Guttannen and Innertkirchen, Reforest'Action is implementing an Assisted Natural Regeneration project in collaboration with local forestry stakeholders. The primary aim of this initiative is to revitalize and diversify Swiss stone pine forests, which are dominated by the iconic Alpine tree, also known as Pinus cembra or Arolla pine. With the aim of increasing their resilience to the threats raised by climate change, a series of rejuvenation measures will be implemented over a five-year period. By following a tripartite scientific protocol based on the selection of forest stations, the origin of pine seeds and the sowing method, it will be possible to foster the effective and sustainable regeneration of stone pine stands. This project not only seeks to preserve a symbol of high-altitude biodiversity, but also to establish a soft silvicultural management model that can be replicated in other areas facing similar problems.**

![Vue aérienne d'une arolière dans les Alpes suisses ](/uploads/Vue_aerienne_aroles_RNA_Innertkirchen_Suisse_01071d9ab0.jpg)

## Arolla or Swiss stone pine: an endangered emblematic species  

### The king of subalpine ecosystems

In the heart of the Swiss Alps, Canton of Bern, Reforest'Action is funding the regeneration of a species that is emblematic of the Alpine forest ecosystem. The Arolla pine, also known as Swiss stone pine or Pinus cembra, takes root between 1,300 and 2,600 meters above sea level, an altitude at which very few species survive. Beyond the upper limit of the forest, this tree grows at the highest altitudes in Europe. The Swiss stone pine thrives on a layer of rough humus: made up of slightly decomposing organic matter, this acid substrate is no problem for the Arolla pine, quite the contrary. With this type of soil and under ideal climatic conditions, this conifer of the Pinaceae family can survive for several hundred years, withstanding extreme sub-zero temperatures down to -40°C. Violent winds, snowfalls, lightning... As a long-lived tree, the Pinus cembra experiences many hostile weather events over its lifetime, which often endow it with an irregular, asymmetrical silhouette. The tree's outstanding physiological capabilities have earned it the reputation of being the "King of the Alps". Over the years, it has become a true symbol of the Swiss scenery, an emblem of great intangible and aesthetic value. 

However, the subalpine conditions required for the Arolla pine to flourish limit its range to the central European Alps, for the most part, and to the Carpathians, in a more scattered pattern. But its rarity is also due to a particular life cycle: it takes more than 40 years for the tree to reach sexual maturity and for its female flowers to bear fruit, called "cones" or "pives", containing seeds that can be dispersed. 

The Swiss stone pine also plays a major ecological role. This mountain species ensures the transition between the Alpine forest ecosystem and the treeless mountain summits. Arolla pine is almost always found mixed with larch and spruce, forming well-structured stands known as "arolières" in Swiss French. The latter are home to a great deal of plant biodiversity. In particular, they support the development of undergrowth flora, forming a carpet of heather, bilberry and ligonberry, and are home to rare flower species such as the Boreal linnet and the Alpine clematis. The open structure of these forests, interspersed with clearings, benefits many ground-feeding animals, including deer, chamois, mountain hare (a species of hare whose fur color changes with the seasons) and a wide variety of birds (spotted nutcracker, tree chaffinch, drake and music thrush, ring ouzel, tree pipit...).

### A symbiosis relationship critical to the stone pine’s survival   

The spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes) is a passerine species whose habitat corresponds to the distribution areas of the Swiss stone pine. The latter is therefore very often found where the bird nests, and their cohabitation is far from trivial: it is an excellent example of mutualism. Mutualism is a type of symbiosis between species implying that both partners derive lasting, reciprocal benefits from their association, which may even determine their survival. 

![Cassenoix moucheté posé sur les branches d'un arole](/uploads/Cassenoix_mouchete_RNA_Innertkirchen_Suisse_425441b039.jpg)

![Couple de cassenoix mouchetés posé sur les branches d'un arole](/uploads/Couple_cassenoix_RNA_Innertkirchen_Suisse_efcdd3e91d.jpg)
Spotted nutcrackers on a Swiss stone pine tree - Swiss Alps

The bird, with its chocolate-brown body dotted with white spots, feeds mainly on stone pine seeds, which it easily extracts from the tree's cones high up thanks to its powerful beak and ingenious technique. An Arolla cone contains over 100 large seeds, which the nutcracker is able to carry at once in its crop, a bird-specific organ that serves as a food reservoir. From late summer onwards, the bird works relentlessly to build up its winter food reserves, burying and hiding the harvested seeds in the ground, and in tree or rock crevices. The nutcracker builds up to ten thousand reserves of 10 seeds each in the course of a single season. Its exceptional memory enables it to find around 80% of them during the winter. 

Conversely, stone pine seed dispersal depends almost entirely on the nutcracker's diet. The conifer seeds are in fact too heavy and firmly attached to be carried by the wind. The 20% of seeds not consumed by the bird during winter are not lost. Dispersed at high altitudes, often beyond the limits of existing stone pine forests, they germinate by the following spring, ensuring the effective spread of stone pine in Alpine regions. This is why the bird's work is essential to the rejuvenation of Arolla stands, especially in the face of climate change. As the main natural propagator of Swiss stone pines, the spotted nutcracker, which had almost disappeared in the past, has become a protected species. 

### Swiss stone pine threatened by climate change

In Switzerland, the surface area of Swiss stone pine forests has declined sharply over the last centuries, as a result of large-scale clearing to create alpine meadows (mountain pastures) and harvest firewood and litter. While the sale of non-timber products (which do not require the trees to be cut down) such as essential pine oil or pine liqueur is now favoured, climate change is now threatening the survival of Arolla pines in the Swiss Alps. 

The coming decades will bring many challenges for the Swiss stone pine: higher temperatures, increased drought, changes in rainfall patterns, etc. Since the 1980s, these disturbances have been intensifying, gradually pushing the Arolla pine's limit of establishment towards the summits, to the benefit of other species better adapted to these new conditions. Larch and spruce, two fast-growing species, are competing strongly with stone pine and are steadily gaining altitude. The longevity of Pinus cembra has even become an obstacle to its survival, as the genes passed down to the young trees are suited to a much cooler, wetter environment. Although the Arolla pine has a great genetic adaptability, such adaptation takes time. What's more, the process of natural migration towards the heights, made possible by the spotted nutcracker, is no match for the frantic pace of climate change. This is why the Swiss National Forest Inventory warns about a regional decline in the surface area of "arolières" and the risk of local extinction of the stone pine species.

![Paysage de montagne enneigée avec arolière au premier plan, Alpes suisses](/uploads/Paysage_Innertkirchen_Suisse_46281c0f00.jpg)

## Supporting the natural regeneration of Swiss stone pine: a scientific protocol  

### A path to diversified, resilient stone pine forests

At an average altitude of 1,900 meters, in the municipalities of Guttannen and Innertkirchen, Reforest'Action has been conducting an Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) project in collaboration with local forestry stakeholders since 2022. The Natural Regeneration method, which respects the natural cycle of forests, makes it possible to enhance the value of existing trees, making them more diversified and resilient over the long term. Against a background of climate change, the objective here is to guarantee the survival of the Arolla pine in the Swiss Alps. The initiative therefore aims to preserve and adapt the stone pine forests to future climatic conditions, and to restore their status of diversified habitats ensuring the transition to the alpine stage.

The five project sites, each covering around ten hectares, currently comprise very few trees, but have been chosen for their specific characteristics (soil quality, exposure, plant competition, etc.), which are conducive to the development of the Arolla pine. For a period of five years, the enhancement of existing "arolières" will be combined with enrichments planting conducted according to a defined scientific protocol. A total of 300,000 stone pine seeds of different origins will be sown during the first year of implementation, with the aim of analyzing their growth success in subsequent years, and drawing useful conclusions. Rejuvenation will also make the Arolla forests more resistant and resilient in the face of climate change and severe competition from other coniferous trees. Meanwhile, the adoption of sustainable silvicultural management methods will promote stand growth, structural richness and the development of biodiversity. The return of birds, and in particular of the spotted nutcracker, will encourage the establishment of stone pine seedlings at higher altitudes, thus promoting its natural regeneration. 

![Jeune plant d'arole sur un rocher - Alpes suisses](/uploads/Jeune_arole_RNA_Innertkirchen_Suisse_d9a289ac31.jpg)

### A three-variable scientific research program

The scientific dimension of the project reinforces the relevance and viability of the actions undertaken. As a priority, the project aims to scientifically determine the most favorable conditions for Swiss stone pine regeneration. By cross-referencing stationary factors and seed origin with sowing methods, it will be possible to find the keys to an effective and sustainable natural regeneration process. This is a highly challenging task, since the success of the protocol and, ultimately, of pine seedling growth, also depends on external phenomena that are difficult to predict or manage, such as climatic and meteorological conditions, plant competition and the influence of game. The research program will be carried out over the five-year duration of the project, and may be extended for a further five years if necessary.

#### Variable #1: the selection of forest stations

The first variable of the scientific protocol is the selection of suitable areas for sowing pine tree seedlings. According to the IGN*, a forest station is "a plot of land of varying size presenting homogeneous physical and biological conditions". These conditions include mesoclimate (climate within a restricted area), topography, soil composition and spontaneous vegetation structure. Identifying forest stations enables forest managers to make guided silvicultural management choices. In the case of our project in Switzerland, soil quality was the main factor behind the choice of five locations on which to promote stone pine regeneration and test the whole methodology. Each station therefore constitutes a different natural habitat for Arolla pine. 

Each of the above-mentioned stations is then subdivided to create a mesh of "microstations". This additional subdivision reduces the experiment to the most favorable spots for sowing pine seeds. At altitude, even small differences in location can influence the success or failure of sprouting. For example, high ground as well as the vicinity of old stumps of harvested trees are ideal areas for the survival of stone pine seedlings. Between ten and fifteen microstations will be set up on each hectare, for a total of 500 experimental plots. Only one seed origin is used per microstation, so that the sequencing of trials and their success can be evaluated at a later stage.

_*IGN : French National Institute for Geographic and Forestry Information_

#### Variable #2: the origin of pine seeds	

Alongside the selection of stations, the origin of pine seeds is another major component of the scientific methodology. Pinus cembra seeds from three different regions were collected on behalf of the project: in the Aare Valley, at the botanical garden of the University of Berne and in Central Eastern Alps, which extend from northern Italy to eastern Switzerland. Despite being 100% the same species, the genome of each individual tree diverges according to where it grows: this is known as genetic biodiversity. The hypothesis raised here is that the introduction of Arolla seeds originating from further south will promote the species' regeneration in a context of rising temperatures at altitude. This method, known as "assisted migration", is one strategy for adapting tree species to climate change. The impact of the genetic characteristics of the seeds on the germination and growth of Swiss stone pines will be demonstrated in a subsequent impact analysis.

#### Variable #3: the rejuvenation methods 

The final factor to be tested, which is decisive for the successful rejuvenation of the Swiss stone pine, is the way the seeds are sown. Four sowing methods are tested for the purpose of the project, each based on different seed embedment methods. However, none of the sowing techniques chosen requires any tillage, in line with our concern to cause as little disturbance as possible to the natural environment, and in keeping with the Assisted Natural Regeneration approach. On each station, four different sowing techniques will be used:  

**1. Direct seeding:** this is the simplest method of rejuvenation. Seeds are dispersed on the ground without any prior preparation and are spread by hand to mimic natural seed dispersal.

**2. Superficial scarification and spreading:** in this case, the soil is prepared before the seeds are introduced. Surface weeds, often forming a thick straw layer, are removed to enable the seeds to root more easily after spreading.

**3. Deep scarification or burial:** this method involves sowing seeds directly into the soil, rather than spreading them on the surface. Small, localized, shallow holes are made to deposit the pine seeds.

**4. Burial and protection from animals:** identical to the previous method, this last method entails protecting seedling areas by surrounding them with a fence. Pine shoots are prized by wild ungulates, which represent a threat to their survival.

For the scientific methodology to be valid, "control" microstations will be designated, on which nothing will be done. These untouched areas will act as "counterfactuals", helping to determine whether the results obtained on the test areas are indeed due to experimental bias.  

![Arolière (peuplement d'aroles, ou pin des Alpes) dans les Alpes suisses ](/uploads/Aroles_RNA_Innertkirchen_Suisse_5d8321395f.jpg)

**Ultimately, for each forest station, the goal is to be able to select the most suitable seed origins and the most effective sowing methods, with a view to improving the recovery rate of young pines over the coming years. We expect an overall growth success rate of at least 33%. The good health of the seedlings will be monitored every year, but the concrete evaluation of the scientific results will only be possible as of the second or third year after sowing the seeds, given the slower pace of nature at this altitude.** 

Arole majestueux sur les hauteurs des Alpes suisses 

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Switzerland: ensuring the natural regeneration of Swiss stone pine through a scientific methodology 

**Located in the heart of the Millevaches Regional Nature Park in Corrèze, the [Peyrelevade](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/projects/2720) project aims to reconstitute a diversified forest while respecting the natural growth and renewal processes of forests. Reforest'Action chose the [Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR)](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/anr-expertise-thibaud-poulain) method to enhance 14,700 trees within this natural conservation site, which is part of the Natura 2000 protected areas network. Sasha Pinot, project manager for France at Reforest'Action, provides insight into why this method was chosen, its advantages, and the expected benefits of implementing the project within the framework of climate change adaptation.**

![Banniere-itw-Sasha.jpg](/uploads/Banniere_itw_Sasha_099983b1d2.jpg)

### What does the Peyrelevade project, in the Limousin region, involve?

_Sasha Pinot :_ This natural regeneration project aims to revive a diverse forest ecosystem while meticulously honoring the natural processes of growth and renewal. Today, 14,700 trees of diverse species including Douglas fir, larch, spruce, fir, and oak are being nurtured through meticulous care and effort. Ultimately, this forest in the making will contribute to local economic development, supporting the timber industry. Restoring this degraded ecosystem will help preserve the forest atmosphere and its picturesque landscape. Home to a rich biodiversity, this forest will also contribute to carbon storage and play a role in combating climate change. Located in the heart of the Millevaches Regional Nature Park in Corrèze, Limousin, this natural site holds a special place within the Natura 2000 network, a European initiative dedicated to conserving habitats and species of importance.
 
### What history does this forest have?

_Sasha Pinot :_ Both plots have been planted with Douglas fir, spruce, and Scots pine for the past 35 years. They intended to undergo clear-cutting in the years to come, to harvest the wood produced, and then to be replanted following the same intensive pattern. Clear-cutting involves abruptly opening up an area, resulting in the long-term destruction of many natural habitats essential to certain species. In most cases, it also involves the use of heavy machinery, which destroys soil life by compacting and plowing large areas. 

![Peyrelevade-1.jpg](/uploads/Peyrelevade_1_d8761206cf.jpg)
 
### How is the implementation of an ANR project necessary to restore it?

_Sasha Pinot :_ One of the primary objectives of this project is to halt the forest degradation caused by strict and simplified forest management practices. By embracing a gentler approach, such as Assisted Natural Regeneration, landowners choose not to disrupt the forest's delicate balance. To achieve this, they observe natural processes and only intervene when necessary, in specific areas. Movement within the plots is restricted to designated paths to prevent unnecessary soil compaction. This method not only allows natural cycles to unfold but also enables the silviculturist to reduce their workload, as much of the forest's maintenance is carried out naturally.  
 
### How were the species chosen for the project?

_Sasha Pinot :_ The project promotes a variety of tree species, such as Douglas fir, larch, spruce, fir, and oak, each serving multiple functions. These species are selected from both hardwood and softwood groups and are chosen for their excellent adaptation to the site conditions. Intending to achieve 80% natural regeneration, the project also fosters the growth of other species already present in the soil through their existing seeds.
 
### What's the difference between the ANR method and conventional silviculture?

_Sasha Pinot :_ Today, French forests confront numerous threats, notably those stemming from climate change. In response to these challenges and as a departure from conventional silviculture practices, the proprietors of the Peyrelevade plots have opted to transition towards Assisted Natural Regeneration.

The main distinction between intensive forestry and Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) resides in ecological succession. In a natural forest, the process begins with the germination of a select few trees. As the canopy matures and closes, conditions of shade and humidity become conducive to the development of more delicate forest species in the understorey. This understorey strengthens the ecosystem's structure, facilitating the establishment of plants over the long term until they reach maturity. Occasional disturbances, such as storms or natural die-offs, then stimulate the vitality of the ecosystem. A natural forest represents a mosaic of these stages, amalgamating diverse functional groups that mutually support one another.

In contrast, within intensively managed forests, vulnerable trees are typically planted on bare ground, thereby exposing them to various risks such as drought, flooding, and wildlife damage. Often comprised of only one or two species, these forests exhibit a simplistic environmental structure characterized by a singular stratum. Upon reaching maturity, all trees are harvested, necessitating a complete restart of the cycle. Such artificial forests lack resilience to disturbances and significantly curtail the environment's capacity for natural evolution.
However, it is imperative to enhance the resilience of our forests to ensure the continuity of their ecosystem services. Through the decision to honor the natural cycle of their forest and embrace ANR management, the proprietors of this project significantly enhanced their forest's capacity to withstand diverse threats.
 
### How will the forest, restored through Assisted Natural Regeneration (RNA), be more resilient in the face of climate change?

_Sasha Pinot :_ This will be the case on five levels:
- The enhancement of ecosystem stability is notable. Without the disruptive effects of clear-cutting, natural forests maintain a consistent vegetation cover, yielding numerous benefits. Minimal fluctuations in humidity and temperature prevail, as the soil remains shielded from direct sunlight and air currents. The intricate structure of the ecosystem endures, serving as a habitat for a myriad of species, each fulfilling its unique role. The absence of habitat destruction fosters the proliferation of diverse life forms. 
- Trees derive added benefits from supplementary resources. Depending on the species, roots extract water from various depths. The diversity of these root systems enables the exploration of a broad spectrum of water sources, crucial during periods of escalating drought. Moreover, this subterranean complexity contributes to soil structuring, mitigating erosion.  
- The diversity of tree species aids in regulating pests and diseases, which are primary contributors to forest degradation. Predominantly, these issues arise in stands with limited species diversity, as they lack natural predators. In a diversified forest, all species—including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms—compete, thus restoring equilibrium between predators and prey.
- Game damage will be minimized. Trees grown from natural seedlings are considerably less appealing to wildlife than those raised in nurseries.  
- In the long term, the forest will yield greater profitability. A diverse array of tree species ensures a harvest, even in the event of disease affecting one species. Additionally, the fertility of the environment is sustained through a dynamic cycle of organic matter, with minimal impact on the soil.

### Why talk about sustainable forest management when it comes to ANR?

_Sasha Pinot :_ By choosing Assisted Natural Regeneration, landowners cultivate high-quality wood while preserving a diverse and thriving biodiversity within the ecosystem. 

Living, productive forests naturally form across the globe, independently of human intervention. Nature provides the necessary seedlings and optimal conditions for their growth, while the diverse flora and fauna maintain a delicate balance against diseases and pests. In the natural cycle, when a tree reaches the end of its life, it falls, creating space for new growth. Young trees from natural regeneration take advantage of these openings, thriving until the canopy is restored. The Assisted Natural Regeneration (RNA) method respects these intrinsic natural principles while favoring the growth of the most beneficial trees.

The species present in the Peyrelevade stand have organically developed. A significant portion of them is local, with genetics finely attuned to the specific conditions of the region. Over time, the stand undergoes natural evolution, favoring only the most competitive and adaptive species.

Numerous instances in the region showcase owners aligning their management practices with natural processes. Situated at the heart of the Millevaches Regional Nature Park, the Peyrelevade project actively contributes to this network, gradually restoring the French forest to its historical state. Its PEFC certification serves as additional confirmation of its commitment to sustainable management, reflecting a comprehensive understanding of the forest's multifunctional role. The PEFC label assures the stringent adherence to precise regulations by all forest stakeholders, including owners, operators, and forestry contractors.

To obtain the PEFC label, various commitments must be upheld, including promoting a diverse array of tree species, abstaining from fertilizer use, safeguarding soil integrity, preserving local fauna and flora, and maintaining dead trees, essential for biodiversity promotion.
 
### How does RNA contribute to sustainable wood production? 

_Sasha Pinot :_ The overarching goal of the Peyrelevade project is to establish a diversified, multifunctional, and resilient forest, while simultaneously benefiting the local economy. 

Unlike conventional silviculture, timber is not harvested from a large area in a single block. The forest's intricate structure calls for more regular, localized harvesting. For instance, rather than harvesting an entire parcel every 80 years, the silviculturist opts to selectively remove only the finest trees every 5 years. Despite the differing approaches, the financial returns remain nearly identical. However, under Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) management, the silviculturist benefits from more consistent income.

Implementing this method requires the expertise of skilled tradespeople, and sizable trees must be transported to specialized, smaller sawmills tailored for such operations. These ANR conversion initiatives not only create employment opportunities but also inspire younger generations to acquire and revive traditional knowledge. 

Moreover, Corrèze, being a heavily forested region with ample rainfall and a temperate climate, provides an ideal environment for forest development. Given these favorable conditions, the wood yielded by the Peyrelevade project will be of exceptional quality, thereby benefiting the entire local industry, including forest managers, loggers, and sawmill operators. 
 
### Une gestion forestière en RNA permet-elle de séquestrer autant de carbone qu’une gestion classique ?

_Sasha Pinot :_ The Peyrelevade project stands out notably for its carbon sequestration capabilities. Similar to conventional plantations, the trees continuously sequester carbon throughout their lifespan. This carbon is responsibly stored when the wood is utilized in construction or furniture. Additionally, the ANR method offers an added advantage over traditional silvicultural practices: the preservation of soil carbon. Unlike forests that export their entire production, this type of forest allows for the unimpeded growth of undergrowth and retention of deadwood. As this organic matter decomposes, the carbon it contains remains within the soil, preventing its release into the atmosphere, a common occurrence after clear-cutting and plowing.

It should be noted, however, that while carbon storage is a good indicator for studying climate change, it cannot be used to judge the quality of a forest. For instance, an intensive Douglas-fir monoculture will sequester more carbon on the same surface area than a diversified forest. Yet it is not sustainable, and its ecological value and resilience are much lower.
 
![Peyrelevade-2.jpg](/uploads/Peyrelevade_2_100b04280f.jpg)
 

**As Assisted Natural Regeneration harnesses existing resources to preserve and fortify forest heritage, fostering long-term diversity and resilience, it emerges as particularly pertinent in the face of climate change. However, for ANR initiatives to materialize, funding is essential, notably from companies eager to contribute to forest restoration. Swiss Life Asset Managers exemplifies this commitment by supporting the Peyrelevade project showcased in this article. Across France, Reforest'Action is spearheading ecosystem regeneration endeavors rooted in the Assisted Natural Regeneration method, thanks to funding from dedicated corporate partners.**


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"Assisted Natural Regeneration allows forests to be more resilient in the face of climate change": an interview with Sasha Pinot

**Between 2017 and 2022, Yagasu and Reforest'Action worked together to restore 415 hectares of mangrove in the north of the Indonesian island of Sumatra by planting more than a million mangrove trees of six different species. In November 2023, an audit carried out by Reforest'Action highlighted the excellent recovery of the mangroves and the wide range of socio-economic benefits generated by the project for local communities.**

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## Five years working to restore the mangrove

Initiated in 2017 in the provinces of North Sumatra and Aceh, Indonesia, the project was spread over four planting seasons for a total of five years, during which 260 plots of degraded mangrove were restored over a total area of 415.6 hectares. Consisting mainly of deforested riverbanks, coastal areas and abandoned fishponds, these plots were selected by our local partner Yagasu near 29 villages on the west coast of Sumatra.

![IMG20231120164535.jpg](/uploads/IMG_20231120164535_6bbbbaa638.jpg)

The aim is to regenerate mangrove forests where they have been deforested or severely degraded by the conversion of land to oil palm monoculture, and to help convert former intensive aquaculture ponds into natural mangrove areas or silvofishery ponds with moderated fishing activities. The planting of mangroves enables the original ecosystem to be reconstituted, along with its services such as fixing unstable soils and combating erosion and rising water levels. Because the existence of mangroves improves water quality and helps increase fish production, planting around or inside the ponds serves the dual purpose of maintaining the structural integrity of the ecosystem and providing a sustainable source of food for aquatic life.

![IMG20231122113205.jpg](/uploads/IMG_20231122113205_aafc5347bf.jpg)

## The conclusions of the audit carried out by Reforest'Action

A total of 1,040,478 mangrove trees were planted in the field after being produced in nurseries designed for the project. The diversity of species, which is essential to the quality and sustainability of mangrove restoration operations, was particularly observed through the selection of 6 different mangrove species adapted to the environment: Rhizophora spp, R. Apiculata, R. Stylosa, R. Mucronata, Avicennia and Ceriops. 
Thanks to the meticulous measurements carried out during the audit mission conducted by Reforest'Action in November 2023, the overall average survival rate of the trees for all the different seasons of the project was determined to be 89.88%. The plots are now in vigorous health and growth, and free of any plant disease.

![IMG20231122114442.jpg](/uploads/IMG_20231122114442_dd6632535d.jpg)

## A wide range of socio-economic benefits generated by mangroves

### Raising community awareness of the valuable resources provided by mangroves

Over the five years the project has been running, it has directly benefited 4,552 people and indirectly 9,104 people. The mangrove restoration campaign led by our project implementer Yagasu has not only generated employment in the nurseries and planting operations but has also created income-generating socio-economic activities for local people. These include the creation of traditional batik fabrics using mangrove ink, the production of foodstuffs (crisps, crackers) from mangroves, and the practice of silvofishery, which exploits the natural fish resources (fish, prawns, crabs) of these forests by creating natural ponds within them.

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By becoming aware of the benefits provided by mangroves, local communities are more inclined to adopt a conservation approach to these precious forests, and to contribute to their protection, in particular by setting up community patrols to survey the mangroves and report any deforestation activity.

### Creating local commercial channels

In terms of market opportunities for the production of batik and food products, Yagasu is working with communities to create genuine local commercial channels and raise awareness among consumers from local populations and visiting tourists. As far as silvofishery is concerned, Yagasu facilitates transactions between producers and end consumers through local intermediaries. 

Women's communities in particular benefit from these socio-economic programmes, which contribute to the development of their skills and their financial independence. In fact, the income generated by the socio-economic activities within the women's groups is equivalent to an increase of around 15 to 20% on their pre-project income.

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### Developing ecotourism to boost the local economy

In addition, the project is also enabling the development of ecotourism infrastructures and educational activities, such as nautical tourism, culinary tourism and tourism based on awareness of mangrove ecosystems. In Pasar Rawa, in particular, the ecotourism programme is generating employment for villagers and contributing to the local economy, while promoting a better understanding of the importance of mangrove conservation.

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**The project run by Reforest'Action and Yagasu in Sumatra between 2017 and 2022 has thus contributed not only to the restoration and conservation of mangrove ecosystems located in two provinces of the Indonesian island, but also to the creation of profound socio-economic impacts among local communities by promoting sustainable livelihoods and their economic resilience.**

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Sumatra: economic resilience depends on environmental restoration

**At Reforest'Action, the diversity of our solutions meets the diversity of the needs of forests, with common objectives: to make forests more resilient, to develop their multifunctionality, and to preserve and develop the carbon and biodiversity sinks of tomorrow. In this way, Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) plays an essential role in achieving global objectives relating to climate, biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, and is fully in line with our environmental and ecological ambitions and those of the foresters with whom we work. Reforest'Action frequently uses this method as part of its ecosystem regeneration projects in temperate zones.**

## Respecting and imitating the natural cycle of the forest
In practical terms, ANR is a method of regenerating forest ecosystems that involves intervening in existing forests that are showing signs of regeneration, but which are insufficient on their own to guarantee the renewal of the forest and the maintenance of its ecosystem services. This is a gentle method of silvicultural management that respects the natural cycle of the forest, the soil and existing biodiversity. It makes the most of what already exists to preserve and strengthen the forest heritage, making it more diverse and resilient in the long term. 

As part of an ANR project, the forester helps the forest to regenerate under optimum conditions. The aim is to encourage the growth of seedlings and juvenile trees of different species that are already naturally present in the soil, and to provide them with the light and space they need to develop in the best possible way. While taking care to maintain minority species to preserve the diversity of the forest, work is also carried out to promote the species best adapted to local conditions and climate change. To do this, the forester will carefully observe the evolution of the forest and, over time, carry out various types of forestry work (clearing, scrub clearance, pruning, maintenance of access roads and enrichment of islands, etc.) that will enable the most promising seedlings to grow thanks to the increased space and light. 

## A complementary solution to reforestation
In our projects, the choice between the planting method or the ANR method depends on the type of forest plot and the history of the forest to be restored. In France, and more generally in Europe, the challenge is to deal with the biotic and abiotic degradation of forests, rather than deforestation, which involves leaving plots of land bare. Given the increasing frequency and severity of natural and climatic hazards, where the situation permits, ANR appears to be the most appropriate method for restoring degraded forests. The funding of ANR work also makes it possible to encourage longer silvicultural cycles and more progressive, sustainable management. It is therefore common for Reforest'Action to support ANR projects in temperate zones.

## Preserving and developing carbon and biodiversity sinks
This method also focuses on preserving biodiversity and the carbon storage function of soils and above- and below-ground biomass throughout the process, by avoiding clear-cutting and bare soil. Thanks to artificial intelligence models and cutting-edge technologies based in particular on satellite imagery, Reforest'Action is now able to estimate above-ground and underground biomass at a given moment and deduce the carbon stored on our ANR projects. With a view to projecting and measuring impact, our ANR projects are designed as genuine projects to preserve carbon sinks and biodiversity. 

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Assisted Natural Regeneration, a solution for preserving and developing carbon sinks and biodiversity over the long term

**In Sumatra, Indonesia, Reforest'Action has been working with local NGO Yakopi to restore the mangroves since 2021. An audit carried out in November 2023 analysed the results of the project's first two years, during which 880,013 mangrove trees were planted. In addition to its remarkable ecological impact, particularly in terms of biodiversity, the project has also helped to improve economic livelihoods and diversify income-generating activities, as well as raising environmental awareness. All these benefits are now contributing to the development and sustainability of the communities that depend on the mangroves on a daily basis.**

![Yakopi-4.jpg](/uploads/Yakopi_4_7ad91fad5f.jpg)
 
## The project's major achievements since 2021
 
### A positive assessment at the end of the first two years of project deployment

In December 2023, an audit carried out by Reforest'Action made it possible to verify in particular: 

- the progress of the project and the geolocation of the plots, 
- the number of trees planted, their density and the diversity of species,
- the success rate of the plantations,
- the level of technical expertise of the project leader in terms of planning, structuring, soil preparation, transport of seedlings, waste collection, etc.
- the involvement of local communities in the project,
- and their perception of the socio-economic benefits.

Carried out annually for the first 5 years of project activities, these audits also help to support the project implementer in a continuous improvement process and to use Reforest'Action's expertise in the field to strengthen the implementation of the project. In fact, the December 2023 audit showed that the Yakopi team had made significant improvements and increased efficiency compared with the previous year, thanks to the implementation of the recommendations made during the October 2022 audit. 

These included resolving geo-referencing issues and improving tree conditions in the field. With regard to mangrove restoration efforts, the audit highlighted the excellent health of the planted trees, with a survival rate of nearly 90% for the entire two years of project implementation, and the rich biodiversity of the project area, which now boasts a multitude of identified species, including birds, insects, fish, mammals and reptiles, testifying to the ecological vitality of the restored mangrove ecosystems in Sumatra. The project also actively engaged with local communities to improve socio-economic livelihoods through various community development programs.
 
![Pasar-Rawa-before-after-1.jpg](/uploads/Pasar_Rawa_before_after_1_3972c455c8.jpg)

### From 2021 to 2022, the project successfully enters its initial phase

In the first year of the project (2021-2022), 376,622 mangrove trees were planted over an area of 132.69 hectares. The strategic focus has been on a total of 16 villages, including Abeuk Geulante, Cinta Raja, Pangkalan Batu, Dogang and Pasar Rawa, where collaborative efforts with local communities and the active participation of local people in mangrove restoration activities have been encouraged. 

Yakopi's commitment to local communities was reflected in the organisation of 29 village meetings, attended by 391 people. A total of 14 training activities were carried out during the project, including 5 sessions focusing on nursery and mangrove restoration activities. These initiatives helped to build capacity and disseminate knowledge among the local population. 

In terms of job creation, the project enabled 439 people to be employed throughout the season, in particular within the nursery teams (236 people) and the planting teams (185 members). In addition, 18 villagers took part in community patrol activities, aimed at surveying the mangroves and reporting any deforestation activity.

Aware of the importance of education in the fight against climate change, the Yakopi team launched an awareness-raising programme in schools in the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra. Around 408 pupils from 9 schools were made aware of the environmental and socio-economic issues involved in conserving mangroves. Yakopi has also launched an ecotourism initiative in the village of Dogang, which aims to use the natural resources of the mangroves for tourism purposes while prioritising biodiversity conservation. The initiative involved 45 local participants.
In its first year, the project's activities had a direct impact on 1,833 beneficiaries.

![Cinta-Raja-before-after.jpg](/uploads/Cinta_Raja_before_after_8294491f1f.jpg)

### From 2022 to 2023, the project increases its scope and attracts community support

In the second year of the project (2022-2023), 503,551 mangrove trees were planted over an area of 105.58 hectares. Yakopi has continued its actions in the 16 villages associated with the first year of the project, while developing mangrove restoration in two additional villages, thus extending its commitment to a total of 18 villages.

Consultation and integration of local communities continued with 19 village meetings involving 170 participants. Training initiatives were extended during the season, with a total of 26 sessions. Of these, 11 focused on nursery training, 12 on environmental education and 3 on group discussions. This comprehensive approach aims to improve technical skills and environmental awareness among local people.

The second year of the project generated jobs for a total of 365 people, including 193 in the nursery team, 130 in the planter team and 42 in the community patrol team, which aims to monitor and protect the restored mangrove ecosystems.

Yakopi's commitment to education has reached 577 pupils in 12 schools in the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra. At the same time, the ongoing ecotourism programme in the village of Dogang has attracted 89 residents and served as a model for sustainable tourism throughout the region.

These various collaborative initiatives underline Yakopi's holistic approach, which combines community engagement, education, sustainable economic programs and efforts to conserve the restored mangroves, to ensure the project's lasting success.
Throughout its second year, the project has directly benefited 1,883 people.

![Abeuk-before-after-2.jpg](/uploads/Abeuk_before_after_2_cae3058787.jpg)
 
## A rigorous methodology for selecting plots for restoration
 
### Identifying planting sites

Before committing to the restoration of a particular area, Yakopi carries out an in-depth examination of a number of factors. A GIS (Geographic Information System) analysis is crucial to assess the historical use of the land over the last five years. This analysis is part of the land assessment process and used to determine whether the land has been deforested recently or whether it has undergone major changes in terms of land use. The aim is to determine whether the area can be considered a suitable habitat for mangroves. In addition, during this study, attention is paid to the surrounding vegetation, in order to identify the dominant species of the ecosystem and carefully select the mangrove species to be planted during future restoration actions.  

Based on these analyses, the Yakopi GIS team then identifies potential plots, the feasibility of which is then studied by the field team. Land tenure and social conditions are then taken into account through various village meeting activities and socialization, in particular to ensure that the land has clear administrative boundaries and does not conflict with the boundaries of adjacent villages. If it is certain that the situation is clear, Yakopi draws up a 20-year memorandum of understanding with the village stakeholders, following which restoration activities can begin. 

In practical terms, during the first two years of the project, the sites selected for mangrove restoration work are made up of two types of land:

-         Heavily degraded plots, deforested in previous years, on the banks of rivers and river estuaries. The aim of planting mangroves is to restore the original mangrove and its ecosystem services, such as fixing unstable soils and combating erosion and rising water levels.
-         Abandoned or still active fishponds. Planting takes place around and inside the ponds, with the aim of transforming them into sylvo-fisheries ponds, which make the most of the mangrove's natural wealth of biodiversity while supporting local economic livelihoods. Mangrove existence improves water quality and help to increase fish production. Planting around ponds serves the dual purpose of maintaining the structural integrity of the pond and providing a sustainable source of food for aquatic life.
 
### Selecting the species to be planted

As a veritable amphibious forest, the mangrove is a plant formation that covers 75% of the coasts, deltas and estuaries of the intertropical regions. It is mainly made up of mangrove trees, of which there are almost 100 different species. All have the capacity to adapt to high salinity, submerged roots and low soil oxygenation due to silt. Rhizophora, for example, have stems that anchor directly in the mud. In Avicennia, vertical stems (pneumatophores) have small slits that open at low tide to allow respiration.

As part of the Yakopi project, four distinct species of mangrove were selected on the basis of the vegetation observed in the project area. The predominant species is Rhizophora stylosa, followed by Avicennia sp, Rhizophora apiculata and Rhizophora mucronata. This diversity of species contributes directly to the ecological richness and resilience of the restoration efforts.

![Yakopi-2.jpg](/uploads/Yakopi_2_696dd851b6.jpg)
 
## Restoring mangroves: from nurseries to monitoring tree growth
 
### Mangrove nursery production

To supply the nurseries, Yakopi works with local communities to harvest propagules. A propagule is a multicellular structure intended to be released to ensure the multiplication and propagation of the organism that produces it. Mostly, mangrove propagules are long tubers shaped. They can be harvested from local mature trees and then planted in nurseries to generate new shoots. To promote the health and vitality of young mangroves, they are kept for a time under shading nets and irrigated if necessary after being transported from the nursery to the planting site. This helps to alleviate the stress resulting from the move and acclimatize them to their new habitat.

![Yakopi-3.jpg](/uploads/Yakopi_3_37bf0c2f18.jpg)
 
### Planting trees on selected sites

The method of planting mangroves is defined according to the unique conditions of each site, taking particular account of tide levels and the strength of the current. In areas subject to strong waves, the plantations are densely planted and moored along the coast by a stake-bamboo placed at the level of each plant, ensuring optimum stability and resistance to wind and sea currents. In more moderate erosion conditions, a system with two plants per stake and a lower planting density is applied to limit the impact of abrasion. 
Mangrove planting does not depend on the season (dry or wet) but on the rhythm of the tides, and is carried out at low tide to facilitate planters' access to restoration sites.

![Abeuk-before-after-1.jpg](/uploads/Abeuk_before_after_1_51008c58b4.jpg)
 
### Monitoring and maintenance of restored mangrove plots

Successful mangrove planting results in lush tree growth, with rigid stems condition, bright green leaves and the emergence of new shoots. After planting, growth is monitored by Yakopi to measure various environmental parameters and assess the survival rate. In the event of tree mortality, due for example to wave impact, the presence of barnacles, interference from crabs or exposure to parasites, Yakopi takes a proactive approach to replanting and ensures that any trees that do not survive are quickly replaced. With an average survival rate of 90% reported by the Reforest'Action audit in December 2023, the success achieved is not only a testament to the effective implementation of the project, but also highlights our partner's ability to overcome challenges and ensure the long-term success of mangrove restoration.
 
![Cinta-Raja-before-after-2.jpg](/uploads/Cinta_Raja_before_after_2_fef04b7eba.jpg)
 
## Assessing the socio-economic benefits for local communities
 
### A strong commitment to the community

Met by Reforest'Action during the November 2023 audit mission, community members actively involved in the nursery and planting teams express a high level of satisfaction and enthusiasm about the multiple benefits of the project. These benefits include improved economic livelihoods, increased environmental awareness facilitated by training and socialization initiatives, and the development of cohesive social bonds within the villages. The prevailing feeling in the community is one of gratitude and enthusiasm for the existence of the project, with a desire to see it continue and expand.

![Yakopi-1.jpg](/uploads/Yakopi_1_879a99441d.jpg)
 
### Development of income-generating activities based on mangroves

In particular, income-generating activities based on the natural resources of the mangrove have diversified over the two years of the project. This expansion illustrates Yakopi's strategic approach to sustainable economic development within communities in order to foster their resilience and adaptability. 

The nypa palm, which grows naturally in the mangrove, in association with various species of mangrove, is the only palm of its kind that can grow in intertidal water course system. Traditionally, it was used to create plant fibre roofs. But this practice required the complete felling of the tree, thereby contributing to the deforestation of mangrove ecosystems. With a view to preserving the integrity of the forests, Yakopi came up with a solution that would enable local communities to continue to integrate nypa into their economy without cutting down the palm trees, which are invaluable for maintaining the muddy soils that they help to fix with their roots. As a result, the production of palm sugar, made from the sap of the nypa tree, has become widespread in the villages associated with the project. Particularly prolific, each nypa stem can secrete up to a litre of sap a day, which can be consumed directly as an energy drink. It can also be cooked to extract a natural sugar used for cooking or sold on local markets. The fruit is also consumed by the villagers, contributing to their food security. The product is now attracting local consumers, and thanks to this economic sector, the villagers benefit from an additional income.

![Article-Yakopi-5.jpg](/uploads/Article_Yakopi_5_b6e1d62cea.jpg)

Other products derived from the natural riches of mangroves have been developed as part of the project led by Yakopi, such as the nypa sweet-candied fruits, but also shrimp chips or cuttlefish chips derived from sylvo-fisheries ponds or naturally harvested near mangrove forest through traditional fishing. All these mangrove by-products are now being produced and marketed locally thanks to the project and are making a significant contribution to the economic well-being of local communities.

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In Sumatra, local communities are committed to restoring mangrove

**Registered under the VCS certification standard, the Kuzuko project in South Africa is located in a nature reserve that has protected degraded former pastures to allow the return of the biodiversity that has lived in this landscape for thousands of years. Thanks to the complementary expertise of AfriCarbon and Reforest’Action, the project aims to restore 5,185 hectares of Portulacaria afra-dominated thicket, a tree species known locally as spekboom, to help re-establish the original plant community and habitat of this extraordinary indigenous fauna. In addition to the climatic action linked to carbon sequestration, it will be the source of a vast array of environmental and socio-economic benefits that will be closely monitored throughout the project, within a veritable open-air laboratory dedicated to the restoration of the living.**

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## The origins of a large-scale project

### The beginnings of Reforest’Action’s involvement
Reforest’Action’s commitment in South Africa dates back to 2020. With the aim of contributing to the restoration of the the Albany thicket, a lasting partnership was formed that year with the South African company AfriCarbon, backed by twenty years of research and experimentation applied to these unique ecosystems. The result was the launch of an initial project in the Eastern-Cape province, enabling 200 hectares of thicket to be restored by planting 500,000 spekboom seedlings.
Strengthened by the mutual trust they had built up over the course of this first joint project, Reforest’Action and AfriCarbon decided in the spring of 2022 to take their ambition to the next level. Given the colossal financing requirements needed to make progress towards the goal of restoring all the degraded thickets in the region, the two organisations turned to the voluntary carbon market.
As part of the Kuzuko project, which aims to restore 5,185 hectares of spekboom thicket within a protected nature reserve, a PDD (a document describing the planning of a carbon project and its compliance with certification requirements) had already been drafted in 2014 for submission to the international VCS standard by Anthony Mills, founder of AfriCarbon. But the latent state of the voluntary carbon market over the last decade meant that the Kuzuko project was unable to find funding.

![Anthony-Mills-with-spekboom-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Anthony_Mills_with_spekboom_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_e3c49fa49c.jpg)
_Anthony Mills (AfriCarbon) in front of a large spekboom in Kuzuko_

### A synergy between two complementary areas of expertise
As funding partner, Reforest’Action then joined the Kuzuko project’s carbon certification process and contributed its expertise in drawing up and supervising the business plan to guarantee the project’s financial integrity and secure the investment needed to launch restoration operations. 
In support of AfriCarbon, Reforest’Action also helped to finalize the protocols for measuring the carbon sequestration enabled by the project, as well as projecting its environmental and socio-economic impacts beyond climate action alone. At the same time, a rigorous monitoring and reporting process has been put in place to check - and adjust if necessary - these various parameters, ensuring that they comply with the VCS certification standards.
In the field, the scientists of the AfriCarbon team implement the project design as they conceived it, drawing on their expertise in botany and soil science. They coordinate all the technical operations, apply the monitoring process for the growth of the trees and the impacts generated, and ensure the control and quality assurance of the data collected. 
The combination of Reforest’Action’s and AfriCarbon’s complementary areas of expertise makes Kuzuko a particularly robust and ambitious project for restoring ecosystems.

![Robbert-Duker-&-Quentin-Guyon-in-Kirkwood-nursery-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Robbert_Duker_and_Quentin_Guyon_in_Kirkwood_nursery_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_64da7ae984.jpg)
_Robbert Duker (AfriCarbon) and Quentin Guyon (Reforest'Action) at one of the project's nurseries_

## A project to restore the spekboom thicket biome 

### A project designed around the VCS and CCB certification
The Kuzuko project is now registered under the VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) certification, one of the most widely used international standards for contributing to global neutrality linked to the voluntary carbon market. This standard, managed by Verra, a not-for-profit organisation, guarantees that the tonnes of CO2 equivalent sequestered thanks to the deployment of the project meet certain quality criteria.
Within Verra’s registry, Kuzuko corresponds to the ARR (Afforestation, Reforestation & Revegetation) typology, attributed to projects that develop forest carbon sinks by restoring vegetation cover. By encouraging carbon sequestration, the project contributes to achieving global carbon neutrality.
The project will be audited every four years for thirty years by the Validation & Verification Body, an organisation approved by Verra which provides validation and verification services in accordance with the rules of the VCS standard. Each verification will generate certified carbon credits, corresponding to the amount of carbon actually sequestered by the trees planted as part of the project. 
The Kuzuko project is also in the process of being certified to the CCB (Climate, Community & Biodiversity) standard managed by Verra. This standard certifies that the project generates positive impacts on the climate and incorporates best practice in terms of community involvement and biodiversity conservation. 
Combining the VCS and CCB certifications guarantees the quality of the carbon credits generated by the project, while providing additional benefits that go beyond carbon mitigation measures.

![Workers-planting-spekboom-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Workers_planting_spekboom_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_b16cb2b4f2.jpg)
 
### A project anchored in a biodiversity sanctuary
Located 150 kilometres from Port Elizabeth, in South Africa’s Eastern-Cape province, the Kuzuko reserve was created in 2002 through the protection of degraded land from 18 former goat farms. Thanks to the rewilding work carried out up until the reserve’s inauguration in 2008 to promote nature-based ecotourism, these degraded former pastures have been transformed into a veritable reservoir of animal biodiversity, now home, over an area of 15,000 hectares, to emblematic species of South Africa’s indigenous fauna, including elephants and rhinoceroses, Cape zebras and greater kudu, lions and cheetahs.

![South-Africa-Kuzuko.jpg](/uploads/South_Africa_Kuzuko_35d199db1e.jpg)

![Elephant-2-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Elephant_2_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_c53e466ae2.jpg)

In terms of plant biodiversity, however, the removal of the goats and the respect of the ecosystem’s carrying capacity for two decades were not enough to regenerate the native vegetation of the arid Albany thicket, which was originally dominated - up to 80% of their vegetation - by a succulent species, Portulacaria afra. This tree, endemic to southern Africa and known locally as spekboom, is an essential pioneer species for the development and maintenance of a diverse plant community. 
"Our research has established that a third of the area now covered by the Kuzuko reserve was dominated by spekboom thickets two centuries ago, representing more than 5,000 hectares" says Anthony Mills, PhD in soil science and founder of AfriCarbon. " Today, the Kuzuko reserve has allowed the return of the wildlife that this landscape has known for thousands and thousands of years, but the current state of the vegetation is not adapted to its needs. This is the whole point of the restoration project that Reforest’Action and AfriCarbon are carrying out at Kuzuko: to re-establish the original habitat of this extraordinary indigenous wildlife and to contribute, on the scale of 5,185 hectares, to the restoration of the Albany arid thicket biome."
Twenty years of scientific research have proved that spekboom has a central role to play in this restoration, through its ability to act on soil health and the water cycle, and to create the microclimate needed for the resurgence of a rich plant community. This engineer species, with its extraordinary physiological adaptation, is at the heart of the design of the Kuzuko project.

![Cheetah-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Cheetah_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_002dc184ad.jpg)

### A project built on science and technology
On the ground, operations are managed by Robbert Duker, PhD in environmental plant physiology and AfriCarbon’s Chief Operations Officer, who is, with his team, based full-time within the Kuzuko reserve. 

![Robbert-Duker-in-Kirkwood-nursery-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Robbert_Duker_in_Kirkwood_nursery_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_f21db6701f.jpg)
_Robbert Duker (AfriCarbon) at one of the project's nurseries_

By identifying the areas to be restored within the reserve, which currently consist of moderately or severely degraded thickets, AfriCarbon was able to use rigorous mapping to divide the 5,185 hectares concerned into 1,730 plots, thereby defining a plan to be followed during the planting operations.
 
![Project-Map-Kuzuko.jpg](/uploads/Project_Map_Kuzuko_bd845d4287.jpg)

Three nurseries have been set up to produce the 25,9 million spekboom needed to restore the 5,185 hectares of degraded thicket. The cuttings, harvested from intact remnants of spekboom thickets, are raised in these nurseries, which provide them with the optimum conditions for their growth.
 
![Harvesting-Spekboom-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Harvesting_Spekboom_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_ddb27a4ccd.jpg)
Récolte de boutures de spekboom à Kuzuko

Today, the Kuzuko project employs around 300 people, who are housed and fed throughout the working week in purpose-built facilities. Planting began in September 2022 and will be completed by the end of December 2023. Around six months after planting, AfriCarbon carries out an initial monitoring to check that the trees are in good health and, if necessary, to organize maintenance work. This will then be repeated once a year. 

![Planting-Spekbooms-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Planting_Spekbooms_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_14c9bfde2c.jpg)

## The monitoring of impact indicators to reflect the added value of the project

### Climate: measuring carbon sequestration
For a carbon project such as Kuzuko, monitoring carbon sequestration throughout the life of the project is a central aspect. A project scenario is defined and compared with a baseline scenario, which determines the amount of carbon that would have been sequestered if the project had not been implemented. The comparison between the baseline scenario and the project scenario is then used to estimate the additional sequestration actually enabled by the project.
The spekboom’s remarkable ability to rapidly fix CO2 - and therefore remove it from the atmosphere - makes this tree an asset for mitigating climate change on a global scale. Restoring spekboom thickets thus increases the carbon storage capacity of above-ground and underground biomass (all organic plant matter), as well as that of the soil.
Based on years of research and experimentation with spekboom thickets, the carbon sequestration target for the Kuzuko project is 1.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the 30-year credit period. This target includes a 20% buffer, which reduces the final sequestration value of tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This estimated carbon storage will be measured in real terms every four years by field surveys and verified by an audit conducted by the VCS standard.

![William-measuring-carbon-in-soil-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/William_measuring_carbon_in_soil_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_3614260061.jpg)
_William Gummow (AfriCarbon) taking samples to measure soil organic carbon_

### Soil, biodiversity, communities: 3 pillars of the project 
The construction of a baseline scenario and a project scenario also applies to other impact indicators, which will be scrupulously monitored through a monitoring plan defined by AfriCarbon in conjunction with Reforest’Action. 
"When it comes to measuring the impact of the project, we look beyond carbon sequestration" explains Quentin Guyon, Project Manager in charge of developing the Kuzuko project for Reforest’Action. "We also take into account all the added value of the project, beyond the climate action alone, for soil quality, the development of biodiversity and the living conditions of local communities, by assessing the initial state of each indicator and observing its evolution throughout the life of the project."
In terms of improving soil conditions, various indicators will be monitored throughout the project on permanent plots, such as soil temperature, density, infiltration and water retention rates, and erosion rates.

![Contrast-between-restored-thicket-soil-and-degraded-thicket-soil-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Contrast_between_restored_thicket_soil_and_degraded_thicket_soil_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_253e557da6.jpg)
_Contrast between moist soil sampled under a spekboom and arid soil sampled in the open_

With regard to the project's impact on biodiversity, the monitoring plan involves, in particular, monitoring the diversity of flora, the number of bird species, endangered species and pollinators.

![Greater-Kudu-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Greater_Kudu_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_e87532782c.jpg)
_Spekboom (in foreground) provides habitats and a resilient food source for native wildlife_ 

The socio-economic dimension is also a fully-fledged component of the project, which contributes directly to reducing local poverty levels. As part of the project, all the staff involved in the activities - harvesting spekboom cuttings, maintaining the nurseries, transporting the seedlings to the plots, planting the trees, activities linked to the infrastructures to accommodate the workers (kitchen, maintenance, shuttle service, etc.) - represent the creation of more than 300 jobs over an 15-month period, which could be extended thanks to the continued restoration of spekboom thickets in other degraded areas of the Eastern-Cape. 

![Monwabisi-worker-on-thicket-restoration-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Monwabisi_worker_on_thicket_restoration_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_f60ca4b0e5.jpg)

![Harvesting-spekboom-2-ReforestAction-AL-Avril.jpg](/uploads/Harvesting_spekboom_2_Reforest_Action_AL_Avril_c5da395712.jpg)
_Monwabisi Manene and Zukiswa Davids, two workers employed on the Kuzuko project._

The social benefits also extend to the younger generation, as the project provides funding, through the Kuzuko Foundation Trust, for two primary schools located in Middlewater and Bracefield. The funds will be used to improve infrastructure, provide schoolchildren with quality teaching materials and contribute to their environmental education, teaching them the value of natural ecosystems and biodiversity from an early age.

**The Kuzuko project demonstrates the ability of carbon-certified projects to extend their impact far beyond climate benefits, by promoting soil health, fostering biodiversity and improving living conditions for human communities. This holistic approach contributes to the restoration of valuable ecosystem services and the regeneration of the living in a sustainable way. While the challenge of restoring the thickets ecosystems in South Africa is a major one, with a degraded area of over one million hectares, the impacts of the Kuzuko project have the potential to be multiplied as future actions are carried out by AfriCarbon and Reforest’Action. Strengthened by this initial experience at Kuzuko, the two organisations will be pursuing their joint ambition to restore this unique biome over the coming years.**

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- _The Kuzuko project was notably funded by Capgemini, a global leader in partnering with companies to transform and manage their business by harnessing the power of technology. Capgemini is committed to a 90% decarbonization by 2040 and in addition is investing in high integrity carbon credits to abate and remove carbon from beyond their own value chain._
- _The scientific information and figures concerning the physiological characteristics of spekboom come from interviews conducted by Reforest'Action with Anthony Mills, Doctor of Soil Science and Founder of AfriCarbon, and Robbert Duker, Doctor of Plant Environmental Physiology and Chief Operations Officer of AfriCarbon, or from their published, peer-reviewed scientific work._
- _All the photographs illustrating this article were taken by Reforest'Action._

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Kuzuko: a certified project to restore the living