LIFE - RECLOAK (2025-2030)

LOGO RECLOAK_COLOR

Donor/Funding Programme LIFE:  Project  LIFE RECLOAK - 01/10/2025 – 30/09/2030

 

The LIFE RECLOAK project aims to restore and reforest areas affected by the decline and mortality of holm oak (Quercus ilex), with the goal of promoting natural regeneration and improving the ecological functioning of habitat 9340 “Forests of Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia.”

Since Mediterranean holm oak forests are a complex, adaptive, and resilient biological system, the project activities are designed to strengthen biodiversity, improve the ability to adapt to environmental stresses, and promote the long-term conservation of these ecosystems.

Specifically, the project aims to

  • Restore holm oak forests in four pilot sites in Italy, Spain, and Malta
  • Use native seedlings that are resistant to drought and disease
  • Monitor the growth, biodiversity, and climate benefits of the new forests
  • Select biological indicators to assess the health and resilience of holm oak
  • Disseminate the results and promote their application in other Mediterranean areas
  • Involve institutions, experts, and local communities in sustainable forest management

The LIFE RECLOAK project aims also to improve the resilience and ecological functionality of Mediterranean holm oak forests through concrete and measurable results.

Forest restoration

Up to a 25% increase in holm oak survival within 5 years and a 10–30% increase in vegetation cover in the long term thanks to selected genotypes.

Carbon sequestration

Increase in CO₂ absorption of +20–40% within 3 years and up to +60% over 10 years, compared to areas in decline.

Soil quality

20% reduction in erosion, increase in organic matter (+20%) and water capacity (+15%), improving soil fertility and stability.

Biodiversity

Recovery of habitats and species of conservation value and increased soil biodiversity, with more mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial bacteria.

Monitoring and indicators

Development of monitoring models to assess carbon, water, and climate change, and definition of new biological indicators to measure forest health.

Scientific and technical tools

  • Report on holm oak genotypes that are potentially drought-tolerant and resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi.
  • Optimized protocols for:
    • the diagnosis and identification of resistant oaks;
    • the propagation of holm oak in nurseries and reforestation areas.
  • Technical manual with operating procedures and field activities.
  • Scientific reports on:
    • ecophysiological measurements and seedling growth;
    • meta-barcoding and phenotypic fingerprinting analysis;
    • soil microbial biodiversity.
  • Carbon and water calculator to monitor plantations and estimate environmental benefits.

Guidelines and operational documents

  • LIFE RECLOAK operational manual, with practical instructions for applying the solutions developed.
  • Guidelines for the adoption of sustainable and resilient reforestation protocols.

Training and dissemination

  • 6 workshops in Italy, Spain, and Malta to share the project's practices and results with policy makers and stakeholders.
  • 6 training courses for technicians and forest owners on the application of the new protocols.
  • Layman's Report, a summary of the main results achieved.
  • Project video, to showcase the activities and impact of LIFE RECLOAK.

Sustainability and continuity

  • “After-LIFE Plan,” the strategy to continue the actions and dissemination of results even after the end of the project.
  • LIFE RECLOAK Business Plan, to promote the replicability of solutions and their use on a European scale.

Research topic: Invasive species, Biodiversity issues, Forests, Habitats.

Geographical areas of intervention: Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta

 

Logo LIFE-Natura 2000

Project partners: 

Consorzio Co&So, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Genista Research Foundation, Parco della Maremma, Universidad de Cordoba, Viveros la Conchuela S.L., Agenzia Forestale Regionale per lo Sviluppo del Territorio e dell’Ambiente della Sardegna, Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH)

Project coordinator: National Research Council – CNR

Role of the Department of AGRICULTURE in the project: Partner Responsible for WP3 (Holm oak planting in pilot sites in Maremma Regional Park (Tuscany) and in National Park of La Maddalena Archipelago (Sardinia), Italy).

Scientific responsible at UNISS: 

Bruno Scanu, bscanu@uniss.it - https://www.uniss.it/ugov/person/1561