Index Anillo Verde de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Development of the forest of Armentia

Brief description
This area is located 3 km southeast of the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz. It consists of an 108 ha forest of gall oak (Quercus faginea), extended over the last 25 years with the addition of 40 ha of farmland on which a wide range of tree species have been planted by the Provincial Council of Alava in order to create a botanical park.

It is surrounded by agricultural land and to the south connects with the slopes of the Mountains of Vitoria, a natural space with a surface area of about 5000 ha. Its state of conservation is good and is home to a wide array of species of flora and fauna.

Initial status
The spread of the ecological quality of the natural forest of gall oak and of the botanical interest of the adjoining exotic plantations, over the last few years serious cases of impairment have been recorded, due basically to an uncontrolled development and the excessive pressure of certain recreational uses.

As a consequence, some areas had deteriorated seriously, especially inside the forest, where there were an excessive number of pathways and tracks, on occasions in very bad condition, and there were a large number of rills and bare and eroded surfaces. The forest contained a high density of trees with misshapened feet and few examples of correctly developed tree specimens.

The development process
The park of Armentia dates back to 1974, the year when the Provincial Council of Alava purchased the 148 ha that make up this space. However, it was not until 1998 when the Environmental Studies Centre took over its management thanks to a technical collaboration agreement between the Town Hall of Vitoria-Gasteiz and the Provincial Council, and enlarged the park to its present 165 ha.

The criteria applied in the development of the park were as follows:

• Foster the regeneration of the gall oak forest
• Define and restructure the road network
• Restore degraded areas, mainly areas of uncontrolled landfills, eroded areas and slopes and flooded stretches along rivers
• Prepare small areas for sitting and recreation

The main development actions and tasks carried out are as follows:

• Design and development of a separate network of pathways for use by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
• Closing of tracks and paths
• Creation of access points and car parks
• Preparation of meadows
• Signposting of itineraries
• Development of park entrances and picnic areas
• Placing of information panels
• Forestry work in the gall oak forest area

Current status
At present, the park consists of the following spaces:

• A forested area of Quercus faginea, in which a great deal of work has been done to regenerate the forest
• Several areas of plantations including a wide variety of different species
• 2 sitting areas and a network of adequately marked pathways for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders