In Aragats, activities involving a kindergarten, an art school, a public space, a machinery park and afforestation for recreation proved to be an excellent combination for improving the livelihoods of mountain people and demonstrating integrated approaches to sustainable mountain development.
There has been some settlement on both of these hills, but significant green areas still remain where occasional afforestation or other park works have been implemented, representing a total available area of 90 hectares in El Panecillo and 33 hectares in Itchimbía.
At mid-altitude, the soils under natural forest land cover systems had the highest mean concentration of CEC (25.8 cmol /kg soil) followed by those under E. saligna plantations (24.7 cmol /kg soil), while those under afforestation in the park had the lowest values (19.7 cmol /kg soil).
Unused and degraded land and terminated landfill sites are increasingly being reclaimed through afforestation and converted to parks.
Alex Felson leads a tree-planting effort by students at a Queens park as part of the New York City Afforestation Project.
The soils under afforestation land use system in the park are varied, which is probably a representation of the different stages of soil development.
At mid-altitude, the soils under afforestation land use systems in the Yongka Park had the highest percentage of sand content (36.9%) while those under grazing land had the lowest (32%).
At mid-altitude, the soils under the afforestation land use projects in the Yongcak Park had the highest percentage of clay content (17.3%) while those under the natural savanna land cover had the lowest percentage (13.5%).
At mid-altitude, the soils under grazing land use systems had the highest percentage of silt content (53%) while those under the afforestation land use projects in the Yongka Park had the lowest percentage (47%).
Private afforestation efforts also increased in the late 20th century.
In the long run, only afforestation can save the elephants.
