Environmental restorations: three underused species to consider

Environmental restorations seek to return a space to the conditions prior to an alteration, usually of anthropogenic origin, or to a more environmentally stable or desirable situation.

Restorations have to consider the final state of the topography and other physical and biological conditions, especially vegetation. Getting the vegetation we want to establish to be implanted helps to conserve the soil and from there it makes it easier for biodiversity to find its place.

Therefore, it is very important to properly select the plant species to be used. Unfortunately, for a long time, environmental restorations have been carried out routinely and with a very small range of species. This has been motivated by the tradition of reforestation, often monospecific, the fear of too many marras, with the costs involved and the low demand by the Administration for the quality of environmental restorations. Criteria that would favor biodiversity or ecosystem services in “traditional” reforestation have also been lacking.

Fortunately, today the requirements for environmental restoration are higher than until a few years ago and a greater variety of species and biological forms are required to promote the development of more heterogeneous communities. More heterogeneous communities are more resistant to disturbances and promote greater biodiversity.

As the panoply of species that are used is still quite short, today we are going to talk about two species and a genus to consider and that are almost not used.

Globularia alypum: resistance in rocky terrain

Globularia alypum It is an ideal species for the restoration of rocky terrain, such as limestone quarries, thanks to its ability to adapt to poor and arid soils. This perennial plant has a compact, bushy shape, with opposite, lanceolate leaves of a bright green color. It reaches a height of up to 100 cm, and produces globular inflorescences with small flowers and an intense blue color during spring. In addition to being resistant to drought and heat, it tolerates calcareous and rocky soil conditions well, making it an excellent option for restoring degraded landscapes. Its distribution in the Iberian Peninsula covers mainly Mediterranean areas, from southern Spain to eastern Portugal, found in dry and sunny areas. Its ability to stabilize the soil and to take root in unfavorable situations for other species makes it valuable in ecological restoration processes. It produces large quantities of seeds and has a remarkable ability to colonize fissured surfaces.

Thymus: a versatile genus for arid soils

Thymus It is a genus of aromatic plants very suitable for the restoration of loose or rocky terrain and achieving soil stabilization in arid areas. These plants have a compact shrub structure, with small, linear, greyish-green leaves, which emit a characteristic scent when crushed. The inflorescences, usually pink or purple, appear in summer. Thymus It has a variable height that usually ranges from 10 to 30 cm, depending on the species.

This genus is highly resistant to drought, heat and poor soils, allowing it to adapt quickly to difficult conditions. In addition, its ability to form small clumps forming a dense and durable layer that prevents soil erosion. Although it does not form a tapestry as quickly as other species, under optimal conditions it can cover large surfaces effectively in a reasonable period of time, a few years. Its distribution in the Iberian Peninsula mainly covers areas with a Mediterranean climate, such as southern and eastern Spain and Portugal, where it is found on dry meadows and sunny slopes. But the species diversity is very large and you can find a suitable species for almost anywhere.

Despite its rusticity and ease of finding it in nurseries, it is rarely used in restorations, although it is used a lot in landscaping.

Salvia lavandulifolia: a resistant and efficient upholstery

La Salvia lavandulifolia, is an excellent choice as an upholstery species. This plant is highly resistant to drought, making it an efficient solution in areas with an arid or Mediterranean climate. Its dense and extended growth helps prevent soil erosion, stabilizing slopes and reducing the risk of landslides.
Its adaptability to poor soils and its ability to form robust vegetation covers make it ideal for infrastructure landscaping.

It is common in gardening to use Salvia officinalis, native to the Balkans, but naturalized due to the culinary and medicinal use that has been given to it. Therefore, the material for environmental restoration must be well identified at the source.

If you were interested in this article, don't miss our post on the Ecological Restoration Act, a key regulation for recovering our degraded ecosystems. You can read it here: Reclaiming Our Home: Ecological Restoration Act.

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