The Greek planting area is located in Ptolemaida, which is part of the municipality of Eordaia. It is known for its coal (lignite) mines and its power stations. Lignite is often referred to as brown coal, is a soft brown combustible sedimentary rock formed from naturally compressed peat and it is used almost exclusively as a fuel for steam-electric power generation. In consequence, the result is non-productive soil.
The challenge is then to convert eroded soils, compacted and with no soil biology into better soils through reforestation of the area. So far this has proven difficult and very expensive due to lack of available water for the plants to survive.
Available downloads related to the Ptolemaida project site: