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La Junquera – Semi-Arid Regeneration & Carbon Farming Hub in Murcia
Trust T1
- Climate Zones
- Semi-arid Mediterranean.
- Regenerative Focus
- Regenerative agriculture, water conservation, carbon farming.
About this land node
La Junquera implements regenerative agriculture to combat desertification in Murcia, restoring soils, building carbon sequestration, and promoting sustainable water harvesting and community resilience.
Overview
- Project Vision
- Turn semi-arid lands into regenerative farming models for climate resilience.
- Project Purpose
- Combat desertification and promote sustainable farming by restoring soil fertility, conserving water, and enhancing biodiversity through regenerative agriculture and agroforestry.
- Project Title
- La Junquera
- Political Location
- Murcia Region, Spain
Ecology & biodiversity
- Flora & Fauna
- Esparto grass, almond trees, foxes, eagles, toads.
- Keystone species
- Iberian lynx (apex predator) reflects ecosystem health.
- Biodiversity context
- Adjacent to Sierra Espuña NP and Murcia biodiversity corridor.
- Ecological corridors
- Links Sierra Espuña to Cabo de Gata.
- Natural boundaries
- Located in Segura River basin near Sierra Espuña.
- Ecosystem unity
- Semi-arid landscape connecting steppe, riverine areas, and hills, supporting drought-resistant species and carbon storage.
Climate & water
- Climate Zones
- Semi-arid Mediterranean.
- Rainfall patterns
- Rainy Oct–Apr (~50 mm/month); dry May–Sep.
- Average Rainfall
- 400–600 mm/year
- Temperature Extremes
- 10°C to 35°C
- Average Temperature
- 23°C average
- Watershed
- Segura River watershed draining to Mediterranean.
- Aquifers & groundwater
- Limited aquifers; relies on water harvesting.
- Nearby water bodies
- ≈20 km to Segura River; ≈50 km to Mediterranean Sea
Land & terrain
- Elevation & slope
- 400–800 m; flat to gentle slopes.
- Landforms
- Semi-arid plains and hills.
- Soil Types
- Sandy soils low in fertility; improved with compost, cover crops, and water-retention basins.
- Soil health
- Low organic matter, rising with regenerative practices.
- Erosion risk
- High desertification risk mitigated by regenerative farming.
- Natural resources
- Water, soil, biodiversity.
- Renewable resource potential
- Solar power, water harvesting, biomass.
People & history
- Land Acknowledgements
- Honours Iberian ancestral wisdom.
- Traditional ecological knowledge
- Iberian dryland farming and water harvesting.
- Human Cultures
- Murcia farmers, researchers, eco‑tourists.
- Cultural continuity
- Local Murcia farmers, eco-tourists, researchers
- Cultural landscapes
- Regenerative farms, swales, community gardens.
- Recent land history
- Former industrial agriculture now regenerating.
Regenerative practice
- Regenerative Focus
- Regenerative agriculture, water conservation, carbon farming.
- Regenerative Methodologies
- Swales, keyline design, holistic grazing, composting.
- Environmental objectives
- Enhance biodiversity, restore soil fertility, reduce desertification.
- Community objectives
- Support farmers’ incomes, provide training, foster community resilience.
- Community engagement
- Workshops, eco‑tours, farmer cooperatives.
- Economic Model
- Donations, eco‑tourism, regenerative product sales.
Impact
- Expressed Impact
- Converted 800 ha, increased biodiversity by 10%, trained 200+ farmers.
- Key impact metrics
- Hectares regenerated, biodiversity increase, farmers trained.
Visiting & links
- Nearest urban centres
- ≈40 km from Murcia.
- Website
- https://www.ecosystemrestorationcommunities.org/community/la-junquera-spain/
- Social media
- https://www.instagram.com/ecorestorationcommunities