Project/activity information

This project involves a demonstration activity that is consistent with the concept and principles of the rehabilitation of degraded forest lands and sustainable forest management for the production of non-timber forest products as part of the ITTO Reforestation and Forest Management Programme as it relates to climate change issues and the rehabilitation of forest landscapes in a micro-region of the Department of Arequipa, Province of Camana, Southern Peru, which, given its ecological, environmental and socioeconomic conditions, is a highly representative area of great significance for the semi-arid and arid tropical regions of Peru.

The main problems and concerns affecting the Peruvian coastal region include climate change and increased deforestation, which over the last few decades have led to total degradation or even the disappearance of special ecosystems that were previously important sources of biodiversity and goods and services for the local population in areas where extreme climate and soil conditions make restoration difficult through conventional methods. Arid and degraded ecosystems in general are less likely to be rehabilitated. However, Peru’s high biodiversity and its capacity to adapt to adverse and extreme conditions represent an untapped potential as extreme environmental conditions combined with a high flora diversity capacity can lead to highly positive environmental, economic and social outcomes through the use of modern farming and irrigation techniques. This will in turn contribute to mitigating climate change, enhancing carbon sequestration and improving the living standards of the rural communities.

This project proposal has been developed in accordance with the provisions of the ITTO Manual for Project Formulation. It is based on the implementation of a reforestation system in a typical semi-arid area which was previously classified as a “lomas” (hilly) formation (an ecosystem developed as a result of fog condensation) using Caesalpinea spinosa species and automated drip irrigation. Based on the past experience of the Association for Agro-Industrial Development of Camana (APAIC), this system has great potential for the rehabilitation and valuation of sub-humid ecosystems.