Upscaling plan, route-map for upscaling Spanish demo

Background
The Spanish demonstration area is located in El Bierzo, a region in northwest Spain within the province of León, covering 307,778 hectares, of which over 80% is forested. The area is characterized by two distinct landscapes: mountainous zones dominated by forestry, livestock, and abandoned mining, and valleys with intensive agriculture. Since the 1950s, rural depopulation has led to land abandonment, increasing shrubland and fire-prone forests.

Key challenges include:
• Increased wildfire risk: Over 33,000 hectares burned (2007–2021) due to unmanaged vegetation.
• Habitat fragmentation: Threatening the endangered Cantabrian brown bear, whose recovery depends on improved habitat connectivity.
• Economic decline: Loss of traditional livelihoods (mining, agriculture) exacerbates rural exodus.

The upscaling plan aims to restore degraded landscapes, enhance biodiversity, and promote sustainable rural economies through silviculture, reforestation, and community engagement.

Objectives
The restoration strategy targets:
1. Ecological Resilience:
  o Restore degraded forests and shrublands to reduce wildfire risk.
  o Expand brown bear corridors by planting native species (e.g., Quercus pyrenaica) and improving habitat connectivity.
2. Economic Revitalization:
  o Promote chestnut plantations, ecotourism, and non-timber forest products (mushrooms, honey) to support rural  livelihoods.
3. Climate Mitigation:
  o Enhance carbon sequestration through reforestation.
4. Stakeholder Collaboration:
  o Engage local communities, policymakers, and private investors in long-term land management.

Methods
The plan employs a multi-stakeholder approach, combining:
  • Silvicultural treatments: Thinning, controlled burns, and mixed-species planting to reduce fire risk and improve forest health.
  • Habitat restoration: Planting bear-friendly species (e.g., fruit-bearing trees) to enhance food availability.
  • Community involvement: Workshops, participatory planning, and awareness campaigns to foster coexistence with wildlife.
  • Policy alignment: Leveraging EU and regional funding (e.g., EAFRD, LIFE Programme) and aligning with the EU Nature Restoration Law.

Two upscaling scenarios were defined:
1. Regional: Focused on northern Castilla y León (Zamora, León, Palencia, Burgos) to connect brown bear subpopulations.
2. Iberian Peninsula: Broader restoration across Spain and Portugal (long-term vision).

Key Results
Ecological Benefits:
  o 137 hectares restored in the pilot phase, with plans to expand.
  o Improved brown bear habitat connectivity and reduced fire-prone landscapes.
Economic Opportunities:
  o Chestnut plantations and eco-tourism identified as key income sources.
  o Hunting and mushroom picking revitalized as cultural-economic activities.
Stakeholder Engagement:
  o 81 stakeholders mapped, including landowners, NGOs, and regional authorities.
  o Three participatory workshops held to align restoration goals with local needs.
Barriers Addressed:
  o Funding gaps: Explored carbon credits, corporate partnerships, and EU grants.
  o Policy coordination: Advocated for updated brown bear recovery plans and streamlined regulations.

Key Messages
Integrated Landscape Management is critical to address wildfires, biodiversity loss, and rural abandonment simultaneously.
Community-led solutions—such as chestnut farming and eco-tourism—can counter depopulation while supporting conservation.
Policy Action Needed:
  o Strengthen cross-regional governance for bear habitat management.
  o Implement the EU Restoration Law to standardize ecological recovery efforts.
Scalability: The Regional Scenario (SC1) is the most feasible for immediate action, but long-term success requires Iberian-wide collaboration (SC2).
Sustainable Financing: Public-private partnerships and payment for ecosystem
services must be prioritized to ensure long-term viability.

Conclusion
The Spanish demo demonstrates that ecological restoration, economic incentives, and stakeholder engagement can coexist. By upscaling these efforts, El Bierzo can serve as a model for fire-resilient landscapes, wildlife conservation, and rural revitalization across Europe.