Activities

In cooperation with the pilot farm El Guijo, which is under the influence of a Spanish National Park and inside a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, the project tested a system of floating islands of cork to improve the quality and functionality of wetlands. The islands consist of sheets made of natural cork which provide support for growing aquatic plants on the water.



The sheets are prepared with holes where the plants grow, and which allow the roots to go into the water. To avoid the drift of the structure, a couple of wires connect the island with the ground.

Additional comments

The model of floating cork islands was developed in the context of the Project LIFE Montado-Adapt by the project partners “Casablanca Group” and “Dehesa El Guijo”, together with “La Dehesa nursery”.

Additional information

The system proved to be very efficient and easily adaptable to different ecosystems and purposes. It is possible to install different kinds of plants and the modular structure helps to adapt the extension to the needs and objectives. Furthermore, depending on the plants chosen, it is possible to enhance specific functions such as water purification, increasing biodiversity (e.g. of birds) or contributing to landscape restoration. In all the cases, the carbon storage capacity will increase thanks to the new vegetation. Furthermore, and very much in line with the needs of farmers in these Mediterranean areas, the islands provide cork producers with a new market opportunity.