The Mouriscados demonstration mountain, covering 315 hectares, is located in the municipality of Mondariz, within the Condado-Paradanta region of the province of Pontevedra. It is crossed by historic routes, the best known of which is the Camino da Franqueira, a traditional path leading to the Sanctuary of Franqueira, a place of worship where numerous pilgrims from across the region gather each year to walk this route. If this region is known for anything, it is for uniting natural, cultural and historical heritage in an exceptional setting for hiking.
It has multiple areas of significant environmental value: groves of native species (Quercus robur, Salix atrocinerea, Castanea spp., among others) on approximately 35.95 ha, of which 1.61 ha are within the Natura 2000 Network (Río Tea SIC). The Xabriña River runs through the forest, a watercourse emblematic of the region, with areas of high-quality riparian vegetation. The Brete and Azal streams also run through the forest's grounds. Therefore, the opportunities to increase biodiversity are high.
The Mouriscados mountain is located within the Galician area affected by the nematode and features areas that have recently suffered a forest fire and urgently need to be restored through planting or interventions on natural regeneration. These areas will be the subject of carbon sequestration projects.
The owners of the mountain and its management
It is a communal village woodland belonging to the community of the same name, made up of 88 members (63 men and 25 women), residents of the parish of Mouriscados.
Characteristics of the hill and plantations
In addition to timber harvesting, the forest also hosts other activities such as goat farming, Celtic-breed pig rearing and beekeeping, with the participation of parish residents, which can provide an illustration of various potentialities to be replicated in the region's forests.
It also has great potential for social use, as it has a good network of potential trails. On the hill, you can find different elements of high heritage value that need to be conserved and maintained and which, moreover, offer an attraction for visitors (dolmens, Celtic fort, petroglyphs). It can be an example of the compatibility of respectful forest management with cultural heritage and the exploitation of all the tourist potential it can bring. For the training purposes intended, the mountain has a social centre with a fine design that is half-built and can be completed.
It also shows a very good aptitude for various ecosystem services. For example, there are forest stands that act as carbon sinks and supply drinking water to local residents, a function essential for the population's subsistence. Woodfuel and wild fruit harvesting also take place.
The most relevant seasonal and forest characteristics are as follows:
- Altitude: 180 to 757 m
- Aspect: predominantly north-west
- Annual precipitation: 1,376 mm
- Average annual temperature: 15.3 °C
- Sols: derived from granite rocks, with a predominantly sandy-loam texture and a low content of alterable minerals.
- Current area: 315 ha
- Forest soil area: 291 ha
- Agricultural land area: 0 ha
- Participating owners in the initiative: Mouriscados Community of Common Neighbourhood Commons
- Grouped cadastral plots: 532
- Species used: Scots pine, Monterey pine, Pseudotsuga, cedar, eucalyptusoblique), chestnut, American oak and other deciduous broadleaves.
- Main products to obtain: high-value timber from conifers and broadleaves.
- By-products: honey, meat (Celtic pig, horse), mushrooms, others.
Proposed actions
- To draw up the forest management plan, which establishes the silvicultural models and the works and actions to be carried out in the forest in the short, medium and long term.,
- Carry out restoration work on 60 hectares of conifers in degraded areas that can serve as CO₂ absorption projects.2.
- Implementation of improvement works in broad-leaved and riparian woodland areas to increase biodiversity.
- Training and outreach activities in the forest, coinciding with environmental restoration work, pruning, thinning, etc., aimed at silviculturists, community members, managers and the general public.
- To produce specific educational and outreach material about the mountain.
- Complete the social centre for its adaptation as a space for outreach and training.
- Improve the trails and signpost the mountain for its social use.
- Restore heritage assets such as the watermill and others.
- Improve the use and distribution of water in the mountains.
