The project aims to combat desertification and drought, based on the implementation and monitoring of three Nature-based Solutions (SbN) designed for the restoration of soils degraded by fires:

• The olive pomace based compound
• The olive pomace based biochar
• The biological crusts

The project will be developed in a pilot area marginal to Albufeira do Baixo Sabor (ABS) in the locality of Picões (Alfândega da Fé).

• Detailed survey of the site and patterns of location of interventions;
• Instrumentation of the intervention area;
• Formulation, application and monitoring of SbN: the compound based on olive pomace;
• Formulation, application and monitoring of SbN: biocharP based on olive bagasse;
• Installation of biological crusts;
• Monitoring processes in the field;
• Assessment of the ecosystem services provided by soil: erosion control, fixation of C and nutrients;
• Spatial monitoring of soil degradation processes and water quality using remote sensing;
• Economic evaluation of the environmental measures implemented;
• Dissemination of the project.

• Promotion of the improvement of soil characteristics, namely the increase of soil organic matter content and water retention capacity, as well as the decrease of erodibility and nutrient loss;
• Reduction of the erosion of the ABS strands and the sediment load that is consequently introduced into it, stopping its loss of capacity;
• Promotion of the provision of ecosystem services such as soil retention, C and water storage in the soil and the water quality of the Baixo-Sabor reservoir.