Vitoria-Gasteiz boosts agricultural biodiversity with an agroforestry plantation in Monasterioguren

26/01/2026

The project, led by the Centre for Environmental Studies (CEA) in collaboration with NEIKER includes mixed planting of tree and shrub species. 

The LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project is making progress in Vitoria-Gasteiz, aiming to increase biodiversity and build the resilience of agriculture in the face of climate change. The project, led by the Centre for Environmental Studies (CEA) in collaboration with NEIKER, has been developed on a farm located in Monasterioguren, integrated in the “Espacio Test Agrario de Vitoria-Gasteiz”, ALEKO, and has been implemented within the framework of the CROPS4LIFE project. 

The action is being carried out on a diversified farm that combines horticultural production, extensive rainfed crops, fruit growing, livestock and forestry, and also focuses on offering training in regenerative agricultural practices. The farms are currently in the process of transitioning to organic certification. 

Within the framework of sub-action 4.2.2 of Urban Klima 2050, which focuses on promoting biodiversity, a mixed plantation of tree and shrub species has been carried out, which has three aims: fruit production through an agroforestry model, protection against the prevailing cold winds and the creation of shelters for auxiliary fauna, favouring the presence of beneficial birds and insects. The hollowing out and planting work was carried out during the winter of 2024-25, after overcoming the limitations caused by the previous autumn’s weather.