Restoration of paths and tracks and provision of signage for areas used by the public in the Bellver forest
What does it consist of?
Within the proposed Plan of Use of the Bellver Forest projects such as the delimitation and restoration of roads and trails; the signposting of public use areas of the Bellver Forest; and the campaign of diffusion, awareness and citizen collaboration, are included.
Data
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Mallorca
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Ajuntament de Palma
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Ajuntament de Palma
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904.133 €
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904.133 €
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506.035 €
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2017
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2017 - 2024
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Executed
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Environment
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Executed: 55.97%
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08.05.2025
The project
At present, Bellver Forest is rather fragmented and divided into islands of vegetation, all of which are framed and crossed by roads of a very diverse nature, with the vegetation likely to continue expanding both in terms of number and width, then becoming increasingly eroded. These islands of vegetation have evolved independently, showing different ecological behaviour: they are not evolving naturally, nor are they showing signs of the vegetation typical to the area.
The reasons why the forest has reached the current situation are mainly due to two factors:
a) Inadequate forestry practices that have previously been carried out.
b) The great anthropogenic pressure that is being exerted on it.
Although the first factor may limit the optimal evolution of the ecosystem, the second is even more important, and it has been growing each year due to the huge influx of users and tourists who make daily use of a space which, right now, is not in the proper condition, order or sign-posted for the desired purpose.
The trampling done by visitors is leading to a great loss of vegetation. The disappearance of this vegetation means that the soil is exposed, causing rapid erosion and the loss of a layer of organic matter that is necessary for the growth of the vegetation. With rain, the uncovered soil is quickly eroded by a dragging effect, wiping out any possibility of growing any type of vegetation. At this point, the process becomes irreversible, and the natural space is lost forever.
It is important to remember that due to the use of the forest, it has the characteristics of an urban park, so it is essential to establish and make known the rules of use, as well as to limit such usage and the access of visitors to certain parts of the forest, and to offer a network of pathways and infrastructure for the enjoyment of this space.
Therefore this project includes the most important and prioritised phase in the new management of Bellver Forest, as reflected in the updated version of the 2016 Bellver Forest Use Plan. Its objective is to provide the forest with a network of well sign-posted and adequate walkways, which is considered essential before taking any further action regarding other elements of the forest.