A new reforestation project has been carried out in the Txokote area of Amasa-Villabona, aiming to promote the spread of native forest species and enhance biodiversity. A total of around 7,000 trees have been planted on the public utility mountain of Villabona, covering an area of 4.27 hectares.
The new plantation is located on the upper slope of the Alustiza farmhouse. The City Council had previously cleared the pine forest that existed in the area, and subsequently, work has been done to naturalize the site and create a permanent forest composed of native species.
The project was undertaken by the Forests and Habitats Management Service of the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council. A total of 5,500 oaks (Quercus robur) and 500 birches (Betula alba) have been planted. In addition to these two species, around 1,000 additional specimens of auxiliary species have been introduced to enrich the forest's diversity and ecological structure, including lime trees, cherry trees, trees of the Sorbus genus, pear trees, and apple trees.
Two years ago, the City Council and the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council jointly cleared a pine forest in Amasamendi, spanning 14 hectares. During the clearing, native oak trees growing in the vicinity were preserved.
Technicians have assessed that, in addition to the planting carried out on nearly a third of the original plot, the undergrowth is naturally regenerating in the remaining areas, which will be allowed to develop on their own.
This initiative is part of the Municipal Plan for Sustainable Management of Public Utility Forests of Amasamendi. The objective is to reduce the area occupied by exotic species in public forests and transform these plots into permanent, natural forests composed of native species. Within this plan, 5,150 oaks were planted in 2023 on an 11-hectare plot near Mendabieta.
Furthermore, the restoration of native forests is also understood as an action against climate change, as forests composed of local species help to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide, thereby reducing its concentration in the air and mitigating the greenhouse effect.
