The overall objective of the LIFE RECLOAK project is to achieve reforestation of areas affected by holm oak decline and mortality, thus improving natural regeneration and ecosystem functioning in habitat 9340 “Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia forest”.
As Mediterranean holm oak forests constitute a complex, adaptive and resilient biological system, project activities are designed to strengthen biodiversity, improve the ability to adapt to environmental stresses and promote the long-term conservation of these ecosystems.
The specific objectives of the project are to:
- Restore holm oak forests in four pilot sites in Italy, Spain, and Malta
- Use native seedlings that are resistant to drought and disease
- Monitor the growth, biodiversity, and climate benefits of the new forests
- Select biological indicators to assess the health and resilience of holm oak
- Disseminate the results and promote their application in other Mediterranean areas
- Involve institutions, experts, and local communities in sustainable forest management
The LIFE RECLOAK project aims also to improve the resilience and ecological functionality of Mediterranean holm oak forests through concrete and measurable results.
Forest restoration
Up to a 25% increase in holm oak survival within 5 years and a 10–30% increase in vegetation cover in the long term thanks to selected genotypes.
Carbon sequestration
Increase in CO₂ absorption of +20–40% within 3 years and up to +60% over 10 years, compared to areas in decline.
Soil quality
20% reduction in erosion, increase in organic matter (+20%) and water capacity (+15%), improving soil fertility and stability.
Biodiversity
Recovery of habitats and species of conservation value and increased soil biodiversity, with more mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial bacteria.
Monitoring and indicators
Development of monitoring models to assess climate change effects on carbon sequestration and water storage in Mediterranean forests and definition of new biological indicators to measure forest health.
Scientific and technical tools
- Report on holm oak genotypes that are potentially drought-tolerant and resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi.
- Optimized protocols for:
- the diagnosis and identification of resistant holm oaks;
- the propagation of holm oak in nurseries and reforestation areas.
- Technical manual with operating procedures and field activities.
- Scientific reports on:
- ecophysiological measurements and seedling growth;
- soil meta-barcoding and phenotypic fingerprint of holm oak genotypes;
- soil microbial biodiversity.
- Carbon and water calculator to monitor holm oak plantations and estimate environmental benefits.
Guidelines and operational documents:
- LIFE RECLOAK operational manual, with practical instructions for applying the developed techniques.
- Guidelines for the adoption of sustainable and resilient reforestation protocols.
Training and dissemination
- 6 workshops in Italy, Spain, and Malta to share the project’s practices and results with policy makers and stakeholders.
- 6 training courses for technicians and forest owners on the application of the new protocols.
- Layman’s Report, a summary of the main results achieved.
- Project video, to showcase the activities and impact of LIFE RECLOAK.
Sustainability and continuity
- “After-LIFE Plan,” the strategy to continue the actions and dissemination of results even after the end of the project.
- LIFE RECLOAK Business Plan, to promote the replicability of solutions and their use on a European scale.
Project topic: Invasive species, Biodiversity issues, Forests, Habitats.
Geographical areas of intervention: Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta
EU program
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Project partners
- National Research Council (IPSP and IBBR)
- University of Florence (DAGRI)
- University of Sassari
- Universitat Politecnica de Valencia
- Genista Research Foundation (Malta)
- Maremma Regional Park
- Universidad de Cordoba
- Viveros la Conchuela S.L.
- FoReSTAS
- Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH)
- CO&SO
Role of CNR: Coordinator of the project, Partner responsible for WP1, WP2, WP6 and WP9.
Project coordinator: Cecilia Brunetti (IPSP)
CNR Participants: Giovanni Marino (IPSP), Gianni Della Rocca (IPSP), Fabiano Sillo (IPSP), Raffaella Balestrini (IBBR), Cristina Vettori (IBBR)
Starting date: 01/10/2025
End date: 30/09/2030
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