Reforestation and Permaculture in the Andalusian Desert

“The greenhouses of the Andalusian plains of Almería are home to the vegetable patch of Europe. On the steep hillsides bordering this plastic landscape, olive groves spread out. Six million tightly planted trees that have drained groundwater supplies. The region is drying up… Tomorrow, the desert? ”. In the article Télérama "La Vallée Siphonnée"(https://www.telerama.fr/monde/et-si-landalousie-devenue-un-desert,n6257578.php), journalist Weronika Zarachowicz explains the urgency of the situation concerning water in the Sorbas in Andalusia. How to face this ecocide which does not seem to worry the local authorities?

Frédérique Edy, resident of Los ALias, decided not to wait any longer to take action. Helped by her permaculture training with Geoff Lawton, she took action with the help of young enthusiastic volunteers.

The goal is to plant 500 trees this year, and double that in the following years. The idea is to reforest the Cariatiz valley with local endemic species. This ecological approach aims to renew the groundwater in the valley. The lack of annual rain (200 millimeters per year) gives all the more importance to the three sources of the village: the only natural reservoir of underground water. The goal would be to recreate an autonomous ecosystem: flora, therefore fauna, and water. Ideally, this project will develop over the long term, and will be carried out each year in order to reforest the whole valley, tree by tree.

Permaculture techniques:

1. Earth quality analysis: the jar test

2. Marking of key lines with a hand-made Egyptian level

3. Creation of swales to retain rainwater with an Egyptian level

4. Selection of endemic species

5. Alternate planting of leafy and evergreen species

6. Covering with stones, organic compost and mulching

7. Putting up mounds along the swales to create shade

8. And wait for the rain to come ...