Introduction
Dear friends;
During the second half of 2023, the LIFE RedBosques_Clima project has continued its work, with the main focus around the problem of wildfires in the framework of forest management with conservation objectives. Progress has also been made on other fronts, such as the assessment of risk and vulnerability to drought, and natural solutions for the creation and maintenance of climate change resilient mosaics. Finally, the actions programmed in the three case studies of the project (Sierra Norte de Guadalajara, El Ports Nature Park, and stands in the Valencian Community) are continuing.
In December a tool for the assessment of risk and vulnerability to drought was launched, developed by CREAF, the project’s technological partner. The online application makes it possible to assess the drought risk of a forest at stand scale and compare the result with the risk in the plots of the National Forest Inventory (the “average” forest) or the Reference Stand Network (mature stands). This is done by applying a quantitative index based on indicators of forest structure and functioning developed in this project.
The discussion on wildfires in the framework of forest management with conservation objectives was the main topic of debate at the meeting held in Madrid in September, which was attended by thirty high-level technicians and decision-makers. A few months later, at the III Seminar Red Bosques Clima, held in Segorbe, other thirty forest managers and heads of protected natural areas learnt about various projects focused on fires, and discussed the challenges of fire management from different perspectives and disciplines. In addition, the seminar presented the progress made in the development of a fire vulnerability index.
Also in this period, the second webinar scheduled in the project was held, in which several experiences of implementing natural solutions for the creation and maintenance of climate change resilient mosaics were presented.
This fourth issue of the RedBosques_Clima project newsletter presents the key advances of the project.
We hope you find it interesting.
All the best
Jose Atauri / Technical Coordinator
