• Understand the best way to recover the Montado system where it was lost, using the Keyline technique.
• Test the Keyline technique in different situations, namely different types of soil and different topologies.

• Defining the intervention area through the identification of testing plots and mapping their edaphic and ecological characteristics.
• Conducting a topographic land survey. This involved a study of the topography and levelling of the terrain.
• Conducting a survey of all existing structures in the area, such as ponds, buildings, trees, etc.
• Defining the study areas according to the Keyline technique, e.g. water accumulation and retention points, areas for forest use, and agricultural use.
• Implementing the project on the ground. This involved purchasing specific tools (Yeomans plough); creating ‘K-Lines’, meaning lines for water retention along the field, using the Yeomans plough according to the various experimental hypotheses; planting Mediterranean trees and shrubs (Quercus suber, Q. ilex, Pinus pinea) over 51 ha according to the defined experimental design.
• Monitoring the intervention area and maintaining the K-Lines through periodical use of the Yeomans plough.
• Evaluating the social, environmental, and economic impacts of the applied methodology, then replicating the technique in other degraded areas, including existing Montados.
• Disseminating the results through the project’s website, technical publications and demonstration actions (colloquiums, seminars and focus groups). The project organised a field day and exchange of experiences, open to all participants in Tertúlias do Montado. 36 people participated, including researchers and landowners who were external to the project.

The project partners of this EIP Operational Group were the Sociedade Agrícola do Freixo do Meio, Lda.; Associação dos Produtores Florestais do Concelho de Coruche e Limítrofes; Universidade de Évora – Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas; and Herdade da Machoqueira do Grou, CRL.

• A significant number of trees and shrubs survived and will act as a carbon sink in the coming years. Considering the very high mortality rate due to the arid conditions of the area, it is estimated that around 7 000 trees will survive.
• Many farmers have contacted and visited Montado do Freixo do Meio to learn about and replicate these agroecological practices on their own farms. Six additional farmers/landowners intend to apply K-Line techniques on their farms.
• The project dissemination actions reached a wide audience, including researchers, farmers, consultants, students of agronomy, etc.
• The project contributed to the recovery of a sustainable and traditional productive system. The restored landscape will have a positive impact on climate adaptation and resilience by increasing carbon sequestration and conservation, and restoring and enhancing biodiversity.

• The Keyline technique and associated agroecological practices establish new tree stands in open areas, thus improving shading and water distribution in the soil.
• After the first years of tree growth, the annual ploughing to restore the K-lines can be stopped, as its impact on the roots outweighs the benefits in soil aeration and water management. However, the change already caused by the implementation of the Keyline has positive long-term effects.
• The dissemination activities showed that one in-person site visit turned out to be a much more effective communication action than printed brochures, online campaigns, or other channels.