SUMMARY: FoodForestNetwork e.V. has received funding from the Tools for Life Foundation for a reforestation project in Bolivia. This is an important step towards halting soil erosion, securing water supplies and strengthening local communities.
Share:
The Tools for Life Foundation is supporting the association with a reforestation project in the Andean region of Bolivia, above the village of Combuyo (Municipality of Vinto, Department of Cochabamba).
“The Andean region is severely affected by climate change”
Reforestation for erosion control
Together with the local population, our project partner and project initiator Dr Noemi Stadler-Kaulich from the Mollesnejta Institute for Andean Agroforestry will plant a species-rich protective forest on a steep, highly erosion-prone slope using the Dynamic Agroforestry method. The aim is to
- prevent erosion and increase the stability of the slope.
- In addition, rainwater infiltration is to be improved so that the village’s spring continues to flow even during long dry spells.
- Furthermore, a diverse mixed forest is to be established, which will be protected and maintained in the long term through its use as a source of nectar for bees.
Creating added value together
Across an area of around 3,000 square metres, one tree will be planted per square metre – densely, diversely and arranged so that the species support one another. The flowering trees provide nectar and pollen for local beekeeping, creating an additional source of income whilst also increasing acceptance of the forest as a valuable resource.
The project particularly benefits the predominantly smallholder, indigenous families in Combuyo, whose fields are directly threatened by erosion and landslides.
Background
Noemi berichtet mit Fotos über die Vorgeschichte des Hanges oberhalb der Dorfgemeinde Combuyo im Tal von Cochabamba, der aufgeforstet werden soll.
1. The slope above Combuyo in 1998. The Combuyo slope begins with the steep slope in the background.
2. Because the villagers’ cattle graze on the slope (then and now), the native trees cannot regenerate naturally; instead, landslides are visible. At the village meetings, which I attend regularly, I repeatedly advocate for the reforestation of the slope.
3. In January 2013, the villagers are encouraged to take part in the reforestation of the slope. The photo shows a girl handing saplings to those planting them.
4. In June 2013, a fire destroys the reforested area
5. The hillside after the fire in June 2013
6. In August 2023, another fire destroys the regrown vegetation on the hillside. During the subsequent rainy season, heavy rainfall causes devastating erosion on the hillside. Due to the now missing soil structure, natural regeneration is unlikely from this point onwards.
7. The mountainside above Combuyo in February 2026
8. 40 beehives below the slope
Project: Reforestation for erosion control
Noemi: “The Andean region is severely affected by climate change, and the steep slope above Combuyo is therefore subject to intense erosion. The lack of soil substrate prevents the natural regeneration of native tree species. Reforestation, which also serves as a protective forest, is intended to:
- Reduce erosion
- Contribute to climate protection
- Contribution to income security (beekeeping, collection of medicinal plants, and in the longer term the harvesting of valuable timber – necessary with dense planting – and its further processing) for the population of Combuyo, who live in the buffer zone of the Parque Nacional Tunari (also serving as a model for other village communities in the buffer zone)
- A natural habitat for native flora and fauna (including medicinal plants, wildcats, carachupas and birds)
- Ensuring the water flow from the spring in the village, and serving as a model for replenishing the wells in the valley, as the reforestation of the slopes promotes the infiltration of rainwater into the ground, which in turn prevents flooding in the valley.
The area to be reforested lies entirely within Tunari National Park, home to the unique bird species Poospiza garleppi, whose habitat consists of the two Kewinhua species Polylepis besseri and Polylepis subtusalbida. Unique hummingbirds also live there. At the same time, the area to be reforested is situated directly adjacent to the Mollesnejta property, which ensures protection from grazing animals and fire. An access road and a water storage basin (approx. 30 m³) are available.
Reforestation will involve 12 tree species (including the aforementioned Polylepis species), which, based on experience at the Mollesnejta site, are fire-resilient within a few years of planting. Among these tree species, several have flowers rich in pollen and nectar; some bloom very early in the year, others late, ensuring that pollen and nectar are available for bees, wild bees and hummingbirds almost all year round.
After informing the village community about the upcoming afforestation project, Doña Marylen asked me if she could set up her bee colonies on the Mollesnejta site, just below the area to be afforested. Since this weekend, there have been around 40 beehives up there (Photo 8). This, too, already serves as a model for the potential of beekeeping.”
Driving agroforestry projects forward together
For us at FoodForestNetwork e. V., this project is yet another example of how complex agroforestry systems (food forests) practically combine climate resilience, biodiversity, soil health and food sovereignty – in Germany, in the Global South or worldwide.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the Tools for Life Foundation for their trust and support, as well as to Dr. Noemi Stadler-Kaulich and the Mollesnejta team for their many years of pioneering work in Andean agroforestry. We look forward to sharing the next steps and research findings from this slope with you.
