Three years of joint work between several entities and companies in the forestry industry resulted in innovative equipment and new planting techniques, which were presented yesterday in Mata do Braçal, on the border of the municipalities of Lousã and Poiares.
It was the first demonstration action of the collaborative project “rePLANT”, which operates in three main areas: fire prevention, forest management and circular economy, in an investment of 5.6 million euros, with EU funding.
In the field action held yesterday, the participants observed trials of several pine species. The results of trials of different provenances, used in improvement programs in other countries, such as Australia, France and Spain, were presented, “more productive and resistant to climate change, relevant to increase the profitability of forest producers,” says the organization.
Contribution of automation and digital applications
There was also the opportunity to learn about technological solutions for collecting data from forest stands, automation of plantations, mobile applications for measuring standing and stacked wood, and a new single pass forest implement, with organic matter conservation, fertilizer dosage and water retention. The “rePlant” presents technologies for the valorization and defense of the forest.
The entities involved are, among others, the collaborative laboratory ForestWISE, University of Coimbra, Instituto Superior de Agronomia da Universidade de Lisboa, Sonae Arauco, REN, Altri Florestal, Amorim Florestal and The Navigator Company.
Sustainable Development
“We have dedicated the last three years to the future of the forest and found solutions that will contribute to its sustainable development and to the sector’s activity. These are the results of the best technical and scientific knowledge worked by business and non-business entities who worked on highly technological demonstrations” explains Carlos Fonseca, CoLAB ForestWISE’s CTO, who coordinates the project with The Navigator Company. “This is the first of several events to be held over the year, aimed at showcasing the results achieved by the rePLANT mobilising project, which will have a positive impact on the entire chain, namely on service providers and forestry producers,” he adds.
In, Diário As Beiras, 24 March 2023 (PT)
