Using Dry-Stone Walls as a Multi-purpose Climate Change Adaptation tool (STONEWALLSFORLIFE)

Climate change alters the hydrological cycle and affects the local environment. A general increment of heavy rainfalls has been registered in the Mediterranean area, with consequent floods and landslide risks. On the other hand, longer periods of high temperatures and drought affect the driest regions, increasing the risk of forest fires and causing water scarcity.

The aim of the STONEWALLSFORLIFE project is to demonstrate the viability of the use of a traditional agricultural technique - dry-stone terraces - as an adaptation measure to cope with climate change. Abandoned dry-stone terraces will be restored in Cinque Terre (Italy), making them more resilient using innovative techniques, and handing them over to local farmers for their maintenance. Well-maintained dry-stone walls have an excellent water drainage performance, and they can effectively minimize landslide risks, but innovative construction techniques have to be adopted to improve their performance in case of extreme events. A further application to counteract wild fires and forest fires will be experimented in Catalua (Spain).

In this way, the project will contribute to the implementation of the EU Adaptation Strategy and the Floods Directive (2007/60/EC). The project will also support the Rural Development Policy 2014-2020 (CAP 2nd pillar), improving the resilience of the agricultural sector: drought-resistant vineyards will be cultivated on the restored dry-stone terraces.