1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
The goal of the Biospots Network is to promote biodiversity, ecosystem services, adaptation to climate change and landscape improvement. [1]
The 10,000 trees to be planted by 2021 will offer "invisible" services to the city and the Portuguese, such as retention of air pollutants and carbon storage, estimated at € 500,000 per year (as adults). In addition, they have the potential to store approximately 50 tonnes of carbon per year, contributing to the measures set out in the Municipal Strategy for Adapting to Climate Change. [1]
The 10,000 trees to be planted by 2021 will offer "invisible" services to the city and the Portuguese, such as retention of air pollutants and carbon storage, estimated at € 500,000 per year (as adults). In addition, they have the potential to store approximately 50 tonnes of carbon per year, contributing to the measures set out in the Municipal Strategy for Adapting to Climate Change. [1]
Quantitative targets
By 2021, it is planned to install and maintain about 10,000 new trees and shrubs. [1]
Monitoring indicators defined
Areas are monitored at least once a year to gauge the success of interventions and implement corrective measures when necessary. [3]
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Climate change mitigation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implementation activities
A network of urban forest areas in the city of Porto will be created to promote biodiversity, ecosystem services, adaptation to climate change and landscaping. The Porto Biospots Network will consist of 14 areas when completed, that are distributed along the major roadway nodes of the city, totaling a useful area of 17 hectares. By 2021, it is planned to install and maintain about 10,000 new trees and shrubs. As of 2018, 2 out of 14 areas have been completed, Francos Node and Node do Regado. [1][2][4]
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The Porto Metropolitan Area Environmental Strategic Plan, a broad participatory regional planning process conducted from 2003 to 2008, concluded that major challenges ahead included the improvement of the green infrastructure (forest, riverside areas, and natural corridors), the need for education and training for sustainability, as well as more and better inter-institutional coordination. In response to this, the Municipality created the 5 interconnected projects that aim to enhance green networks in the city, of which Porto Biospots Network is one of them. Additionally, the Regional Center for Excellence in Education for the Sustainable Development of the Porto Metropolitan Area (CRE.Porto) is also developing a project called the FUTURE which aims to plant 100,000 trees in the Porto Metropolitan Area. While the FUTURE project started implementation in 2011 it is unclear how much is the degree of influence between this project and that of the municipality. [6]
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The Biospot Network is part of 5 interconnected and complementary projects. The municipality does not mention if neighboring municipalities have adopted a similar strategy to enhance the green network within their city. [1]
