Picture ref: https://www.landtribe.co.uk/s-projects-basic-1
An introduction to Landtribe
I have been approached by Landtribe, an organisation that creates environmental solutions through investing in land or working alongside existing likeminded landowners, developing and creating ecological solution based operations and businesses for long term ecosystem restoration, rewilding and regenerative farming.
Mission and visions of Landtribe
Landtribe exists to restore nature, encourage low impact, low carbon living off the land through sharing skills, expertise and experience with full respect for Nature’s biological, hydrological and ecological processes; improving water management systems and storage, especially the further South the belt goes. Each site will restore Nature’s dynamics and harness water effectively. The positive impact of this will have a huge benefit on wildlife, biodiversity and long term preservation of these areas, providing healthy sustainable produce from a multiple of scenarios; including sustainable and diverse agro forestry.
Educational and Collaborative Efforts
Sharing knowledge from within a broad ecological field with the varying terrains and land use, differentiating greatly over the journey will help Landtribe specialise within different regenerative projects, helping create new ideas and hopefully attracting others to free up land which will be paramount to the success of this outstanding project, hopefully encouraging others to follow suit.
The Fertility Belt
Landtribe’s vision is to create a belt from the UK, through France, Spain and finally Portugal of regenerated land; the aim is to have a project every 50 km or more depending on the attention this worthy cause creates and willing parties who are ready to adopt methods and key roles using natural processes, ecology and trophic chains for a positive environmental future. Planting a route of fertility.
Picture ref: https://www.landtribe.co.uk/
Soil Regeneration
New ecologically minded farmers will learn how to use a natural fertility loop system. Each site will restore Nature’s dynamics, initiate regenerative farming and manage the conservation of wild land for the long term benefit of wildlife.
Landtribe’s understanding through regenerating soil is the best way to harmonise land’s natural balance so affected by human induced soil erosion and climate change. Overall, our effort allows carbon to rapidly sequester and remain in the Earth to be part of the cycle in equilibrium giving out life affirming oxygen. Fungi play a huge role in carbon sinking and should be considered in all restoration projects for this alone, although their holistic value is another subject in itself which is essential to every ecosystem and always adds value to any environment.
As we all know in most situations good fertile soil is key to land restoration; Landtribe plans to set up nurseries providing a wealth of plant diversity to increase soil fertility, this will allow a greater future for food security for our coming generations.
Challenges; tree species and native forest in decline
In southern parts of Spain there are large expanses of desert like terrain from Granada across to Seville, up to the Extremadura and Salamanca, back on track meeting the hot central part of the belt all the way to Portugal. Historically the soil has been ploughed to death for a multitude of reasons, including fire! A result of Pinus pinaster, a native maritime pine, inland monoculture forest creations, combined with eucalyptus stands opposite, responsible for the main cover of tree species in Portugal replacing native woodlands; flammable trees just asking for trouble, coupled by drought and I fear corruption.
Fire
In view of the situation that has been witnessed over recent years regarding forest fires, it is worrying to see the increase. The database national rate of forest fires (Forest Fire Management System – SGIF) records, “Between January 1 and October 16, 2017, a total of 16,613 occurrences (3,639 forest fires and 12,974 fires) which resulted in 418,087 hectares of burned area of forestry, between settlements (248,515ha) and woodlands (169,572ha). in 2007 there were 1.845 forest fires compared to 3639 in 2017. Other fires in rural areas in 2007 and 2017 also contributed to overall burnt areas”, this highlights the increase in fires over the last ten years in forestry and otherwise. Portugal and Spain are countries in need of vital connection and restoration for more complex reasons.
Pests
Restoration is urgently needed just from a processionary moth perspective; they are decimating the pines; again because of the dominant imbalance of one tree species. The native pines i.e. Stone pine (Pinus pinea) is less effected by the moth and the less frequent Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) are now however infrequent and not often seen in their natural role or habitat. Restoration of these woodlands would be amazing, returning them back to their species rich diversity.
Habitat loss
The ICUN have declared, ” The Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica subsp. lusitanica) in danger of extinction, this was one of the tree species present in the Laurissilva forests and, currently, has a scattered distribution limited to the Iberian Peninsula, Northern Morocco and the French Pyrenees. ” The rugged mountains of central Portugal, particularly in the Açor, Estrela, Lousã and Alvelos mountains provide the niche for this tree species to survive. Their natural habitat mirrored within these habitats of pine and acacia within the landscape of these mountains, marked by the presence of extensive areas of pine forest and acacia, one of the last places remaining for this species. The European Union saw the need to conserve these dwindling habitats drowned out by other forestry practises and loss of habitat, they were integrated into Community Importance, and protection was achieved in the Habitats Directive (92/43/E
Picture reference: http://www.liferelict.ect.uevora.pt/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Life-Relict_mapa-distribuicao-dos-Azereiros.png
Native Portuguese woodland types
Cork oak and pasture landscapes as well as cork and holm oak forests that also once dominated Portugal called montados are also in decline, now only prevalent in central parts like the Gardunha mountains and further south in the Alentejo, Algarve, Lisbon and Tagus Valley.
Picture ref: https://www.landtribe.co.uk/
Oak forests
Fagosilva, dense evergreen oak forests covered large swaths of Portuguese territory until the start of the Roman invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. Native woodlands have since become far and few between and the decline of Quercus Ilex, the Holm oak and the Cork oak, Quercus suber forests trees like anywhere else is a travesty and great loss, arising from ship building in the discovery years, housing, charcoal and firewood.
The Southern Iberian Peninsula is suffering as a result of severe degradation in the form of decreasing tree cover, the age of stands, tree mortality and the difficulty of oak regeneration. Across the Mediterranean basin there is an overall decline in oak woodlands which is a result and response to land use changes, global warming, pests and diseases. Oak decline has been observed in Southern Europe and Northern Africa such as Q. pyrenaica, Q. robur, Q. cerris, Q. pubescens and Q. frainetto. I’m not entirely sure that the practice of de-corking these majestic trees that when stripped look naked, exposing their orange flesh which at first was alluring, vibrant and in keeping with the soil colour but now I look and see wounded souls, desperate to repair and re clothe themselves. I understand the social and financial implications and traditions this product offers Portugal, its harvesters and the cork industry, controversial as it is to speak out about the health of this practice; I believe it is detrimental to the tree, weakening it and left defenceless to pathogenic fungi and other pests. All the big standards on my land have honey fungus!
Ash, alder, elder and willow are key players in riparian forests not often talked about and even less seen other than in small areas of coppice or crossing through plantations following waterway, streams and rivers. These woodlands also get caught up in forest fires and add to their decline. Restoration of these delicate woodlands can be more complex and as a result may fail or be overlooked, subjected to complications like post fire water quality, erosion of banks, succession of invasive non native plants and trees.
Beech Forests
The beech forests up in the Northern parts of Portugal are far and few between but frequent the cooler, more humid parts, a pocket too in the Estrela mountains near Manteigas.
Riparian Forests
Ash, alder, elder and willow are key players in riparian forests not often talked about and even less seen other than in small areas of coppice or crossing through plantations following waterway, streams and rivers. These woodlands also get caught up in forest fires and add to their decline. Restoration of these delicate woodlands can be more complex and as a result may fail or be overlooked, subjected to complications like post fire water quality, erosion of banks, succession of invasive non native plants and trees.
The Mediterranean basin is a region of ancient heritage and history; it is also a very important biodiversity hotspot with an exceptional density of rare native plants and animal species restricted to growing only in certain niches, clarifying the need why it is essential that these areas remain; restored if under threat and conserved for the future.
The challenges Landtribe face are going to be re-educating farmers to see beyond trusted but draconian methods, to think for the future. Diversity could be an answer to crop failure, not depending on one or two sources of income and moving away from monoculture, creating a rewilding, holistic and healing approach. Landtribe will offer consultancy and mentoring, guiding you through your various projects with the option when necessary to be involved with hands on building, workshops and courses.
The Great British Truffle Festival
Here at The Great British Truffle Festival we want to actively support and get involved with land restoration projects, myco remediation and in particular abandoned truffle orchards and woodlands. Trufficulture, a form of agroforestry is perfect for naturally poor calcareous soils. With the ability to create high pH loving woodlands the potential for woodland restoration in these areas can be very successful, using truffles species to help their early establishment, giving the tree a good chance of survival in these challenging environments. They are worth their weight in gold for more reasons than gastronomy. These woodlands over time will restore the surface layer of soil, it will become more neutral and available to other communities of plants not so fond of calcareous soils with pH off the Richter scale!
Truffle woodland management
Woodland management for the sustainable production of truffle and timber can be implemented in these poor soils; restoring mono culture woodlands with a selection of truffle hosts, creating age, height and species diversity, essential for a healthy woodland, truffles will be a bonus but paramount to the survival of these young restored woodlands! Orchards abandoned fifty or a hundred years ago are still considered young from a timber perspective and will provide for a good foundation for regenerated host trees. It is believed that mixed woods produce more truffles. I would like to replicate the wonder of monoculture because in my experience with fungi it can be amazing but using multiple species of trees and shrubs that are all hosts will give the same potential everywhere you tread as in heavily associated monoculture woodlands where seemingly every tree produces truffle and over large areas.
Looking at the route from the UK to Portugal, starting in Sussex truffle grounds and across to the chalk in France is a good start, working down towards Charente, Périgord toward Toulouse is predominantly limestone and across into Spain’s producing areas too. Portugal undoubtably has truffles in the right soils and inferior truffles in the acidic granite soils too. Like in England 20 years ago it’s not spoken of much except down in the Alentejo and Algarve but I’m certain there is more action to be had further North and on the western coastline ! It’s just a matter of getting out there! The Algarve has been popular for its plantations.
Abandoned truffle orchards and woodlands
Managing old plantations and under-managed woodlands for the sustainable production of truffle is a concept I have been working with for some time, considered suitable for the future in the right areas, beneficial for all involved; from grower, hunter, merchants to consumer and of course the environment! When woodlands are managed for the sustainable production of truffles or anything it is with a view to conserve or it would not be sustainable. Two desired outcomes are achievable with care, planning and observation.
From September to Jan the truffle season is at its best in the UK, producing good sized mature and aromatic truffles, if the conditions are favourable. I will be working alongside Landtribe offering assistance and consultancy in accordance with specific management plans and objectives for wild truffle cultivation and orchard restoration. The season is longer abroad, more productive, in the sense of giving up truffle species we do not have in the UK.
Research will be carried out with harvest schedules to ensure sustainability and impacts of harvesting. Conservation of these communities long term as they are today in the UK, within the mixed broadleaf requirements for biodiversity and timber production, will be hard considering the extent of Ash and Sycamore regeneration but if replanting schedules are introduced conservation could be possible with careful species choice and integrated truffle woodland management.
The aim will be to harvest enough good sized, quality truffles to make this sustainable rewilding venture worthwhile for all parties involved over numerous years whilst restoring abandoned monoculture graveyards not fit for much in their present state and replanting new woodlands in areas that need it most. other produce from the trees can be harvested such as hazel nuts, pine nuts, acorns, beech nuts and larch flowers very popular in the foraging community.
An example below, a plantation by Dr Paul Thomas of mixed tree species diversity. Oak, evergreen oak and hazel; believe it or not this is a great improvement than the usual mono hazel grove or evergreen oak stand! More species of inoculated trees are now being made available so the diversity can improve further, up to date what has been available has been restricting. I believe Beech, hornbeam, birch, possibly chestnut are currently available, possibly larch, willow and poplar on the production line too within the industry. Pine has been available for T borchii and T aestivum I believe for some years.
Sustainable practices and research
Harvesting sustainably involves using dogs to minimise disturbance, keeping the small diggings precise and local to the individual truffles; thus not disturbing the organism (truffle mycelium) to any negative effect. I certify that the dogs used for hunting are well looked after, in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Harvesting will be no deeper than fifteen centimetres, ensuring minimal disturbance and allowing some truffles to remain either to rot in situ or to be found by other creatures. Truffles will not be harvested in a manner which could be considered harmful to the environment, such as raking. The main aim is to restore woodland back to native truffle host species, with a view to harvest truffles using sustainable methods at a commercial level produced by these trees; all projects will go hand in hand with a research project. Monitoring these areas will take place as part of the management to establish any positive or negative results due to harvesting, climatic conditions or any other variables with a focus on sustainability and productivity, this will be ensured within natures allowances.
Research of this type in abandoned or wild situations does not happen often and it will be valuable data to contribute to the UK, France, Spain and hopefully Portugal’s wild truffle production records. Aiming to help sustain a once thriving wild industry in Europe but again subjected to low levels of production because of climate change, lack of irrigation and habitat loss.
Vital connections and sustainable restoration
Meeting the Landtribe crew was a connection that not only linked my two worlds but will do it in a fashion that I have been searching for; their route from East Sussex in the UK, finishing close to my home in Portugal could not be more ideal and poignant as both places are close to my heart. A route I’m familiar with well, driving through miles of intensive farming having felt and witnessed its impacts travelling through sterile lands, ether from drought to soil depletion and geology making it even harder for life to thrive. These areas in Spain and Portugal in particular will do well to get some attention and love, as will the soils devoid of structure and nutrient as a result intensive English and French farming, restoring hopefully many little microclimates along the way, improving weather and rainfall, whilst educating and giving hope to others for solutions towards a healthier, productive and happier greener, less toxic planet.
Please visit the Landtribe website for more of their info, contact details and projects. If you are an interested landowner please get in touch with Gary or Atlanta at: https://www.landtribe.co.uk/ or with me if it is in regard of a woodland restoration project in conjunction with Landtribe. Also follow them on their socials, like and share their posts if you support their vision, we do here at The Great British Truffle Festival and wish for their every success with the Route of Fertility and bringing hope into action, as they quite rightly promote before it’s too late! Let’s meet them together at the end of the rainbow.
Contact Gary and Atlanta
+44 (0)7443 466 672
landtribe@gmail.com
Thank you for taking the time to read.
Blog Web References:
https://www.facebook.com/landtribeuk/
https://www.instagram.com/landtribeflo/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-redding-landtribe
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoCwAnhUvt_XkJH8Ye_F10A
https://biodiversity.com.pt/biogallery/pine-forest/
https://biodiversity.com.pt/biogallery/cork-oak/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112721000591
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/4/477
https://ypef.weebly.com/portugal.html
Azereirais
https://rewilding-portugal.com/map/
- EFFIS. European Forest Fire Information System—Estimates per Country. Available online: https://forest-fire.emergency.copernicus.eu/
- ICNF. 10° Relatório Provisório de Incêndios Florestais-2017; RIF 10/2017; Instituto de Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas: Lisboa, Portugal, 2017. [Google Scholar]
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Montero et al., 1994, Rodà, 1999, Pulido et al., 2001, Pulido, 2002, Pulido and Díaz, 2005, Pons and Pausas, 2006, Acácio et al., 2007, Plieninger et al., 2010, Moreno-Fernández et al., 2019.
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Scortichini et al., 1993, Bozzano and Turok, 2003, Vallejo, 2005, Acácio et al., 2017, Colangelo et al., 2020, Rubio-Cuadrado et al., 2020
