Reforestation plan

1. Introduction

The town of Erseke is located in SE part of Albania in the vicinity of national border with Greece. Erseke

is located in a wide plateau surrounded by a Mountain ridge on western and eastern (Gramozi Mountain)

side of the plateau. The slopes are mostly without woody vegetation where grassland (pastures) prevail.

Several streams and torrents are coming from the eastern and western Mountains. After high precipitation

events, water carries alluvial debris in a form of silt, clay, sand, gravel and rocks down to the plateau. The

most problematic is Glladishova stream where alluvial material is causing damage on agricultural land as

well as infrastructure. The latest such event happened in October 2015 (Caka, 2016).

Figure 1: An alluvial debris caused damage on infrastructure after heavy rainfall in October 2015.

Planting on several hectares on the slopes of Gramozi Mountain was performed 1978-1980 by local

population which planted the black pine (Pinus nigra). According to a visit performed by a project team,

pine trees are vital, growing fast without major issues with regard to diseases. Black pine proved to be a

suitable tree species for further reforestations above Ersekë.

1.1. Site conditions Bedrock: Compacted brown silty clay with some gravel fraction which depends on the slope position.

The depth is of several meters.

Soil type: The soil type of the plateau area is defined as a haplic luvisol while the soil type on the slopes

above the plateau is defined as leptosol (Zdruli et al., 2002).

Figure 2: Left: woody vegetation plays a crucial role in soil reinforcement and inhibiting erosion in these areas;

right: black pine growing in harsh ecological conditions proves to be suitable tree species on these sites.

Vegetation type: On the upper slopes (above pine the pine stand) of the Glladishova watershed summer

pastures with grassy vegetation prevails. Bellow (height of 1250-1500 m a.s. l.), artificial black pine

(Pinus nigra) stands are present. On the pastures junipers (Juniperus commnuis) and wild rose (Rosa) are

present. In moister areas (e.g. creeks) willow (Salix) species are present. Above village of Rehova and

church of St. peter, several mature native oak (Quercus) trees are present.

Figure 3: Existing black plantation established in late 1980’s. Pine trees are vital and growing fast. Cattle and horse

grazing is present in these stands.

2. Pilot reforestation above Rehova (Rehova A)

2.1. Reforestation aim The aim of reforestation of pastures above the church of St. Peter:

1. carbon sequestration,

2. establishment of a role model for future reforestation development in Kolonja district,

3. improve a long-term timber supply for local population.

2.2. Planting material, design and maintenance Provenance (origin): Is extremely important to use the suitable provenance (i.e. origin) of tree seedlings.

Seeds should originate from areas of higher elevation (ca. 1000 m a.s.l.) of the same country’s region.

Tree seedlings grown from low elevation origin seeds are not well adapted to higher altitudes and can be

affected by late spring frost!

Age: The age of seedlings should be 2+0 years, i.e. 2 years from the seed, 0 years after transplanting. The

height is not so important.

Type of seedlings: If possible we recommend container seedlings (seedlings with soil container; Figure

1) instead of bare root seedlings which are more prone to drought and nutrient stress after planting. Figure 4: An example of container tree seedlings from the Korçë tree nursery.

Species: According to the field visit several oak (Quercus) species are present and can be used for

reforestation. We propose to use Quercus pubescens, Quercus cerris, Quercus frainetto and Quercus

petraea. In the eastern part of reforestation area of Rehova A small creek is present where individual

walnut (Juglans regia), cherry (Prunus avium) and chestnut (Castanea sativa) trees can be planted. On

more ecologically extreme sites (more surface rockiness) we recommend to plant black pine which is

more adapted to drought. On very extreme sites planting should be avoided.

Density and time: The planting density should be app. 1600 trees per hectare, i. e. on a 2,5 x 2,5 m grid.

After planting, if possible, planted seedlings should be watered. For fall (autumn) planting usually frost is

not a problem since the tree seedlings are already in dormant stage, therefore planting can be performed

also in November if soil is not frozen. Even though it is not common, if possible water the plants after

planting (e.g. 1l/seedling) since root system is developing even after the end of vegetational period. Please

water the plants at least once a year, especially in the period of prolonged droughts (usually July or

Avgust).

Planting of container seedlings: less time limitations, more flexible, all year-round. Sept-November.

The planting hole can be just slightly bigger than the seedlings root container. Fertilization is not needed.

Planting of bare root seedlings: from the time the seedlings start to drop its leaves (end of vegetational

period, usually end of Sept., October) to November. The planting hole should be almost the size of the

tree seedling’s root system. Normally tree seedlings in reforestation are not fertilized. You can use 100 g

of organic fertilizer (compost), of small handful of NPK fertilizer (compost). Please, do not use extensive

amounts of NPK fertilizer since it can harm the seedling!

Maintenance and protection: Apart from sheep and kettle, goats, pose the greatest risk to a newly

establish reforestation. Therefore, reforestation should be protected against grazing with a fence and a

guard. We strongly advice high (at least 1,5 m) wire fence (Figure 2)! The role of a guard is to prevent

the entrance of grazing animals, maintain the fence, ground vegetation removal and watering the planted

seedlings for at least two years after planting. Ground vegetation removal around the planted seedlings

should be performed once in a vegetational period (optimally in June or July) if surrounding vegetation is

inhibiting (i.e. shading) the growth of seedlings.

Figure 5: Cheap and effective wire fence for protecting the plantation. The fence can later be used for future

reforestations.

Reforestation success: General reforestation success after two years should be above 75 %. For

broadleaves should be above 70 %, for conifers (black pine) above 85 %.

2.3. Road construction and maintenance The aim construction and reconstruction of the road section above the church of St. Peter and upper part

of pine plantation:

1. access for the purpose of reforestation of Rehova A and Rehova B,

2. access for the future reforestation of the area,

3. access for the management purposes (i.e. thinning) of the pine forest stands,

4. access for the recreational and touristic purposes (forest educational path).

The work should be performed as follows:

1. Removal of large blocks and rocks.

2. Flattening the surface.

3. Applying the gravel material and flattening with motor grader.

4. Drainage: digging the ditch and culvert installation (e.g.

http://www.forestry.ok.gov/Websites/forestry/Images/documents/WaterQuality/Forestry%20Note,%20Ho

w%20to%20Install%20a%20Forest%20Road%20Culvert.pdf)

Figure 6: Above: The section

of road that needs to be build

or reconstructed (blue);

bellow: an example of forest

road cross section with culvert

drainage.

3. Reforestation above the village of Hodallar (Hodallar)

3.1. Reforestation aim Forestation aim for the pastures above the village of Hodallar (figure 7):

1. carbon sequestration,

2. prevent the further soil erosion of Glladishova watershed,

3. improve a long-term timber supply for local population

Glladishova stream watershed needs to be reforested to limit the amount of water and prevent the further

erosion on the slopes. The effects of woody vegetation development:

- High water use in infiltration areas will reduce the water run-off,

- Presence of woody vegetation in infiltration areas will reduce the speed of water run-off and therefore

limit the amount of eroded alluvial debris,

- Dense interconnected root system will improve soil stability and inhibit the further soil erosion.

3.2. Planting material, design and maintenance

Please apply guidelines stated in section 2.2.

Figure 7: The reforestation area above he village of Hodallar (yellow).

4. Fenced area of the Pine plantation (Rehova B)

4.1. Fencing aim Fencing the area of black pine plantation:

5. enable the natural succession and expansion of forests for demonstrational purposes for local

inhabitants,

6. prevent the further soil erosion of Glladishova watershed,

7. carbon sequestration.

The fenced area should be left to natural development to demonstrate the power of natural succession

when browsing is excluded (figure 8).

Heavy browsing pressure is the main inhibitor of natural succession of vegetation. Therefore we propose

a fence and ban of animal grazing in the area for at least in next 5-10 years period.

Figure 8: Rehova A (yellow) and Rehova B (white) with a forest road (blue).

5. Park establishment

5.1. Aim of park establishment:

1. establishment of green area as a meeting point for local inhabitants,

2. establishment of children playground within the park,

3. carbon sequestration.

Planting material: use large seedlings (height of 2,5-3,0 m) or smaller if large are unavailable.

The proposed tree species (in attached xls file) are at least to some extent resistant to draught and frost.

For the establishment of park several measures need to be performed. The work should be performed as

follows:

6. Removal of sandy material in the eastern (flat) part of the park area (brown colour, figure 9).

7. Tillage 1: ploughing (using mould plough) of the entire park area (app. 1,8 ha).

8. Tillage 2: fine tillage of the entire park area.

9. Planting: excavation of holes 80 x 80 cm (for seedlings 2,5-3 m of height, for shrubs or smaller

seedlings 50 x 50 cm). Place fertilizer or compost material at the bottom. After planting soil around the

seedling should be compacted and seedlings heavily watered.

10. Continue to water the plants 2 x weekly in the vegetational period (March-September).

11. Moderately fertilize the seedling 1 x yearly.

12. Control the success of seedlings in 2017 and replace the dead seedlings.

Figure 9: Satellite image of the park area. Soil (gravel) on the eastern part (red) needs to be removed.

6. Tree nursery

6.1. Aim of tree nursery establishment: - cultivate the tree seedlings for reforestation in Kolonje municipality,

- establish a commercial sale of tree seedling to surrounding municipalities,

- employment of local inhabitants.

For the establishment of tree nursery several measures need to be performed. The work should be

performed as follows:

1. Tillage 1: ploughing (using mould plough) of the tree nursery area (app. 1 ha; Figure 10).

2. Tillage 2: fine tillage of the area,

3. On the location of greenhouse several m3 of humus or soils rich with organic matter should be applied

as a seed-bed for growing seedlings.

4. Fencing the area. The nursery area should be fenced using 2 m high wire fence.

5. Purchase of seeds for seedling production. For longer periods seeds should be stored in dry and cool

place (i.e. refrigerator).

Figure 10: Satellite image of tree nursery area.

7. General recommendations and guidelines:

Forestry measures in pine plantation: In existing pine plantation forest thinning is recommended.

Focus on the trees with good properties (so called crop trees, i.e. better quality, good vitality trees) and

harvest the surrounding trees that shade and inhibit the growth of crop trees. Also remove trees of low

vitality. The thinning intensity should be app. 25 %.

Forestry measures above the pine plantation and in erosion prone sites: The area of forests should be

gradually increased on the slopes. Forest vegetation plays an important role in preventing soil erosion.

See section 3.0. to see the effects of forest vegetation.

The main problem is the development from grasslands towards shrublands (i.e. vegetational succession).

The development is inhibited by the high intensity of animal grazing (by sheep, cattle, and goat).

Therefore, intensity of pasture grazing needs to be limited in order to inhibit the erosion in the

Glladishova watershed. The local government should prevent the use of public lands for grazing for

selected period of time.