Last update
2013
Summary
The case study site is located upstream of a captage area, where aqueducts abstract water for Venice, Vicenza and other towns: there is thus a demand for increased groundwater recharge and water purification. In addition, Bosco Limite provides a wide range of good and services, such as groundwater recharge, CO2 fixation, biodiversity safeguard, production of high quality wood and biomass for energetic purposes, and recreational-touristic services. The measure was implemented in an area previously used for intensive agriculture, and activities with high economic returns. Therefore, the main challenge of the project was to find alternative, competitive sources of income for landowners who made their land available for reforestation. The establishment of PES schemes for a variety of services (water provision, carbon sequestration, biodiversity and environmental education) was key for the success of the project.
Position
Latitude
45.66
Longitude
11.685
National Id
Italy_03
Installation date
2012-12
Contact
Gloria De Paoli, ACTeon
RBD code
ITA
Transboundary
0
NUTS Code
ITH3 - Veneto
Project's objectives
Groundwater Recharge and Increased Water Storage: groundwater recharge is estimated in 0,012 m3/sec. Moreover, the land use change from maize to forest, without irrigation, saves 12000 m3 of water per year.
Improved Biodiversity: the costitution of a lowland forest provides habitat for 55 indigenous plant species, of which 15 tree species. Moreover, the forest constitutes habitat for at least 20 bird species.
Other Benefits: Carbon Storage. According to the Kyoto strategy the total reduction in carbon dioxide emissions will be in 30
years of 1500 tons of CO2, or 50 tons of CO2 per year.
Touristic/cultural value: the constitution of a lowland forest, a rare ecotype in Italy, could be of ouristic interest. The attractiveness of the area is implemented with walking, bycicle and horse paths.
Improved Biodiversity: the costitution of a lowland forest provides habitat for 55 indigenous plant species, of which 15 tree species. Moreover, the forest constitutes habitat for at least 20 bird species.
Other Benefits: Carbon Storage. According to the Kyoto strategy the total reduction in carbon dioxide emissions will be in 30
years of 1500 tons of CO2, or 50 tons of CO2 per year.
Touristic/cultural value: the constitution of a lowland forest, a rare ecotype in Italy, could be of ouristic interest. The attractiveness of the area is implemented with walking, bycicle and horse paths.
Involved Partners
| Authority type | Authority name | Role | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Climate zone
warm temperate moist
Temperature
13
Precipitation
1000
Slope range
0-1%
Performance timescale
> 20 years
Project area
2,5
Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha)
2,5
Size
2,5
Size unit
ha
Lifespan
30
Design capacity description
Information not available
Information not available
Information not available
Costs total information
An estimation could be made by calculating the total NPV of investment costs + yearly maintenance costs up to 2042 - However, the choice of a correct discount rate could be debated
Costs investment
24000
Costs investment information
The planting cost was of 24000 €, with a contribution of the 80% from LIFE+ funds.
Costs operation maintenance
2100
Costs operation maintenance information
estimation of the costs for the period 2012-2042
Economic costs, income loss
1749
Economic costs income loss unit
€/ha
Information on Economic costs - income loss
The area was previoulsly maize-cultivated, with a net gain of 4599 € in 2005-2010 period.Since the prevision for thenet gains from the forest is of 2850, the loss of incomes is 1749 €/ha/year.
Policy context
The environmental problem that led to the implementation of project is represented by the fact that water reserves of Veneto High Plan's hydrogeological system are decreasing slowly but progressively. (approximately -3,8 cm/year, wich correspond in a diminuition of 1,30 m in 35 years)
Community involvment
No
Design consultation activity
| Activity stage | Name | Key issues | Comments |
|---|
Policy target
| Target purpose |
|---|
|
Groundwater Recharge
|
|
Increase Water Storage
|
|
Improved Biodiversity
|
|
Oher Societal Benefits
|
Policy pressure
| Pressure directive | Relevant pressure |
|---|
Policy impact
| Impact directive | Relevant impact |
|---|
Requirement directive
| Requirement directive | Specification |
|---|
Contractual arrangements
0
| Arrangement type | Responsibility | Role | Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
the action is involved in the European founded LIFE+ project "Aquor"
|
Part of wider plan
0
Wider plan type
| Wider plan type | Wider plan focus | Name | Comments |
|---|
A monitoring plan for the biodiversity has been scheduled.
Unknown
Information not available
2850
The expected benefits are of 4950 euros in the period 2012-2042, with a net gain of 2850 euros (compared to the previous maize cultivation there is a loss of 1749 euros/year).
It is estimated a positive impact from the costitution of the forest for the recreational and educational value of the forest, but there is no economic evaluation of the benefits.
Retained water
518,4
Retained water unit
m3/day
Information on retained water
Information not available
Information on increased water storage
Information not available
Information on runoff reduction
Information not available
Ecosystem erosion control impact unit
% reduction
Water quality overall improvements
N/A info
Soil quality overall soil improvements
N/A info
1
The constitution of a lowland forest provides habitat for 55 indigenous plant species, of which 15 tree species. Moreover, the forest constitutes habitat for at least 20 bird species.
Ecosystem impact climate regulation
Impact on GHGs (net emissions and storage) including soil carbon
Information on Ecosystem impact climate regulation
Bosco Limite will stock an average quantity of 50 tons of CO2 per year, the equivalent emission of 7 Italian citizens
Ecosystem provisioning services
1
Information on Ecosystem provisioning services
The forest will produce about 40 tons/year of firewood and in 30 years will provide high quality construction wood.
Key lessons
The site is located upstream of a captage area, where aqueducts abstract water for Venice, Vicenza and other towns: there is thus a demand for increased groundwater recharge and water purification. In addition, Bosco Limite provides a wide range of good and services, such as groundwater recharge, CO2 fixation, biodiversity safeguard, production of high quality wood and biomass for energetic purposes, and recreational-touristic services. The measure was implemented in an area previously used for intensive agriculture, and activities with high economic returns. Therefore, the main challenge of the project was to find alternative, competitive sources of income for landowners who made their land available for reforestation. The establishment of PES schemes for a variety of services (water provision, carbon sequestration, biodiversity and environmental education) was key for the success of the project.
Success factor(s)
| Success factor type | Success factor role | Comments | Order |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Financing possibilities
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<p>Bosco Limite provides a wide range of good and services, such as groundwater recharge, CO2 fixation, biodiversity safeguard, production of high quality wood and biomass for energetic purposes, and recreational-touristic services. The measure was implemented in an area previously used for intensive agriculture, activities with high economic returns. Therefore, the main challenge of the project was to find alternative, competitive sources of income for landowners who made their land available for reforestation. The establishment of PES schemes for a variety of services (water provision, carbon sequestration, biodiversity and environmental education) was key for the success of the project.</p>
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1
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Driver
| Driver type | Driver role | Comments | Order |
|---|---|---|---|
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Other
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The site is located upstream of a captage area, where aqueducts abstract water for Venice, Vicenza and other towns: there is thus a demand for increased groundwater recharge and water purification.
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1
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English