9 Actions to reduce de environmental impact

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From our beginnings we have been very aware of the importance of taking care of everything that surrounds us. From the olive trees to the land, the water from the ponds, the terrestrial and marine vegetation and the biodiversity present on our farms. We have taken action in all areas and spaces that surround our fields to achieve quality improvement.

Learn about all the measures and discover how we have improved the ecological and environmental conditions of our lands!

IMPROVEMENTS THAT RESULT IN THE INCREASE OF BIODIVERSITY

Verde Esmeralda from the beginning took measures that will harmonize agriculture in the fabric of life. We try to generate new ways of relating to nature that allow us to stop fighting against it, to start working and allying with it. From our absolute admiration for nature we have begun to take a multitude of measures to increase the biodiversity on our farms.

ADEQUACY OF IRRIGATION POOLS ORIENTED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WILDLIFE

We have installed different types of floating islands that will favor the settlement and nesting of aquatic birds. With this project we have turned our artificial irrigation rafts into an unexpected oasis for endangered aquatic birds such as the Moorish coot, the teal, the Malvasia or the stork. We will be able to maintain the natural balance in a man-made wetland.

IMPLANTATION OF VEGETATION IN THE IRRIGATION POOLS

We solve algae explosion problems in an ecological way by letting swamp vegetation and submerged aquatic vegetation grow. In this way, we have solved the problems of clogging pipes, and managed to get invertebrate and vertebrate animals to settle in our raft.

The quality of the water with the implantation of the vegetation has improved since the water is more oxygenated, the solids in suspension are fixed and mainly nutrients are removed avoiding the explosive growth of algae.

HABILITATION OF AREAS FOR REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

We have taken steps within the irrigation pond enclosure to create alternative habitat for many amphibians. There are specific areas around the rafts to improve the colonization of amphibians and reptiles, animals with great conservation problems due to the reduction of natural spaces.

HABILITATION OF DRINKERS FOR STEPAR BIRDS

Even though there is water in the irrigation ponds, it is not accessible for certain species, due to the slopes of the interior slopes. For this reason, we have installed a drinker for steppe birds within the fencing of the raft.

PLANTATION OF SHRUBS AND TREES ON SLOPES

We have proposed the restoration of slopes with shrubby plant species and small trees to provide physical stabilization of the same and avoid deterioration by erosion of the retaining walls of the reservoir, while providing shelter and food for fauna to what fruit-producing plant species will be used. The restoration has been carried out with arboreal species, shrubs of Mediterranean scrub, some of them are listed below; Olea sylvestris, Juniperus oxycedrus, Arbutus unedo, Crataegus monogyna, Rhamnus alaternus, Pistacia terebinthus, Viburnun tinus, Pistacia lentiscus, Myrtus comunis, Phillyrea angustifolia, Osyris alba and Osyris quatripartita, Daphne gnidium.

REFORESTATION OF DEGRADED AREAS

We are providing verticality to a strongly monoculture ecosystem causing an evident landscape change to our farm. These trees will be very useful nesting places for bird species to fight against olive tree pests.

Reforestation has been done at a low density to conserve grass and some open areas favoring the installation of other species of flora and fauna.

RESTORATION OF ROADS, CANYONS, LANES, BOUNDARIES

Through restoration we are favoring the installation of new populations of natural enemies. It is designed to achieve flowering during all months of the year. We have selected plants that bloom at different times of the year, in this way our auxiliary fauna will have food available throughout the year. Some of the species we are using are; Rhamnus alaternus, Myrtus communis, Pistacia lentiscus, Juniperus sabina, Dittrichia viscosa, Lavandula latifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis, among others.

Part of the restoration is also taking place in the ravines and in our natural lake, with a gypsiferous soil. In these areas we have cataloged different gypsophyte species in the area. Our job is to promote the expansion of this type of vegetation through new plantations. Some of the selected species are; Jurinea pinnata, Reseda suffruticosa, Teucrium pumilum, Gypsophyla strutium, Ononis tridentata, Launea resedifolia, Helianthemum squamatum, Lepidium subulatum, etc.

SOIL REGENERATION TECHNIQUES

We have made changes in the way we relate to the land that has allowed us to stop losing soil, and now we gain fertile soil. The key lies in maximizing natural dynamics, so regenerative interventions are directed at increasing the level of organic carbon in the soil, so that it is more fertile and retains more water, carrying out the right interventions with the appropriate machinery. We will favor the regeneration of soil life through the management of plant covers, a good management of pruning remains, the re-use of composted alperujos, the cultivation of microorganisms and their subsequent application in the soil.

We have used Key Line techniques to increase the water storage capacity on land and redirect the water to the areas that interest us. In one of our farms we have a natural lake and thanks to the aforementioned techniques, we achieve a higher recharge in a natural way, which allows both us and the fauna and flora dependent on this landscape to take advantage of this resource.

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