NEWS

On Thursday the 25^th February 2016 a field visit took place in the River Mangaraí- Santa Leopoldina to present more about the ReNaturalize project. The project that started in November 2014 is an innovative initiative APLYSIA in river restoration. In this project, a series of British techniques of river restoration using large wood were applied to promote river enhancement. The project aims the restoration of varied and dynamic hydrological and geomorphological systems that support healthy and biodiverse aquatic environments in a sustainable way.

During the visit at the Mangaraí the participants experienced a day ?in? the river around the restored reach. Amongst the participants were Luciano Firme- CESAN, Professor Antônio Sérgio Mendonça- UFES, Aladim Cerqueira- Environment Secretary of Aracruz, Cezar Junior- Local Community Member, Dr Tatiana Furley, Carolina Pinto e Reinaldo Baldotto- APLYSIA.

The aim of the field visit was to give the participants the experience on how a river restoration project functions in practice, as well as how this kind of project helps to improve river habitats to benefit wildlife and the local community.

In the first part of the circuit, we visited the stretch of the river where sixteen wooden structures were installed. We discussed issues such as benefits for water quality and aquatic biota, also the increase of fish richness in the restored site. Another issue addressed during the track was the importance of restoration to the local community and the social and cultural benefits added to the project.

The second part of the circuit was held downstream where five more wooden structures were installed in the river channel. Including structure called 'dragon's teeth?, which has as main objective the retention of suspended solids, reducing water turbidity and the mitigation of erosion through macrophyte growth on top of the structure.

We are currently organizing more visits for 2016 that will be announced here. If you are interested in participating in one of these field trips, please contact us!