Pilots

• ---

  Integrated Rural Development Concept - Lungau

  
  The IRDC - Integrated Rural Development Concept Lungau (German: ILEK - Integriertes Ländliches Entwicklungskonzept Lungau) tests new approaches in regional planning by integrating soil health, landscape and biodiversity.
  
  The pilot combines spatial analysis with participatory workshops to balance ecological and socio-economic needs. It serves as a transferable model for sustainable rural and Alpine development.

• ---

  Agglomeration Community of ARLYSERE

  The main goal of the ARLYSERE pilot site is to optimize the implementation of the Forest Charter. The Charter brings together local forestry stakeholders to protect and enhance forest ecosystem resources and services while addressing key challenges. The local forest development strategy provides a roadmap focusing on forest-based solutions for natural risk prevention, climate change adaptation (including forest carbon monitoring), the reduction of soil sealing and the development of inter-municipal tools that support the integrated, participatory management of soil ecosystem services across 39 municipalities.

• ---

  Grenoble-Alpes Metropolis (GAM)

  The main objectives of the GAM pilot site are to analyze current practices of preventing natural hazards caused by gravitational processes (rockfalls, landslides, erosion); to optimize prevention and land-use strategies, particularly those relying on forest-based solutions; to assess the contribution of forests and forest soils to carbon storage and sequestration; and to develop inter-municipal tools to improve knowledge and support the participatory and integrated management of soil ecosystem services across the 49 municipalities.

• ---

  Alpine Carbon Flux and Soil

  Passo San Marco is one example of the many Alpine sites, currently used as extensive pastures, that are characterized by relict soils (spodosoils), patches of permafrost and large carbon stocks. This makes it an ideal location to monitor carbon fluxes and experiment with and promote best soil management practices that can help reduce carbon emissions.

• ---

  Ski Slope Podkoren

  The main objectives of the GAM pilot site are to analyze current practices of preventing natural hazards caused by gravitational processes (rockfalls, landslides, erosion); to optimize prevention and land-use strategies, particularly those relying on forest-based solutions; to assess the contribution of forests and forest soils to carbon storage and sequestration; and to develop inter-municipal tools to improve knowledge and support the participatory and integrated management of soil ecosystem services across the 49 municipalities.
  
  The case study will address and evaluate vegetation cover maintenance, nutrient management and stakeholder determination toward tackling potential soil erosion on the ski slope.

• ---

  Rhêmes-Notre-Dame (Aosta)

  The case study aims at improving knowledge about local soils by better defining the ecosystem services they provide. This information will be used as a guide for land planning at municipal and regional levels.

• ---

  Torgnon (Aosta)

  The case study aims at improving knowledge about local soils by better defining the ecosystem services they provide. This information will be used as a guide for land planning at municipal and regional levels.

• ---

  Alpine Valleys Radovna and Krma

  In 2023 and extensive windthrow affected three Alpine valleys taking down a significant number of trees. Certain areas were cleared by salvage cutting and logging while others were left intact with dead biomass.
  
  This case study will monitor the effects of the windthrow and the two response strategies on soil. The monitoring involves laser scanning for soil erosion; laboratory analyses to determine C/N ratio, soil organic matter and soil biodiversity; and the gathering of forest rejuvenation data to assess overall forest resilience.

• ---

  Monitoring the effects of peatland restoration on water retention

  The drainage of peatlands results in reduced groundwater levels and the degradation of peat soil. In the winter of 2020/21, previously drained peatlands between Lerchenfeld and Pieperfeld were dammed up to counteract these developments and restore the wet grassland vegetation to a near-natural state. To evaluate the effects of the restoration measures, the water retention capacity of the impacted area as well as the substance inputs in the nearby river are monitored.

• ---

  Agroforestry Gerhard Linder (Fuchstal)

  The grassland owned by Gerhard Linder, previously mown several times per year, has recently received multiple tree strips. In the central area, several walnut cultivars (Juglans regia) have been chosen for high-quality nut production at moderate height.
  
  The grassland between the rows will continue to be mown or could alternatively be grazed by sheep that would also benefit from the shade provided by the trees. The trees enhance the landscape and provide typical agroforestry benefits like reduced wind erosion.