Firefighters are the main factor that determines the current patterns of forest fires in Catalonia

A new model of landscape evolution, developed by a group of Catalan and Canadian researchers, identifies that the ability to extinguish fire is essential in the explanation of the fire patterns in Catalan territory. The model also shows that, if current climate trends continue, the burned area could increase by more than 60% in the next 20 years.

Climate change Ctfc @en Fire Forest ecology Forests Lluis brotons @en Modeling

The CREAF begins a European international cooperation project to improve forest management and combat global change in the Mediterranean

Enrique Doblas and Jordi Vayreda, researchers at the CREAF, will begin the MENFRI project (Mediterranean Network of Forestry Research and Innovation) in December, a European forest management project funded by the call FP7 – INCO.

Forest ecology Forestry Forests International Menfri @en

LIFE MEDACC: A new project to test innovative adaptation strategies to climate change

The LIFE MEDACC project (LIFE12 ENV/ES/000536 Demonstration and validation of innovative methodology for regional climate change adaptation in the Mediterranean area) is an excellent opportunity both to make the European Commission aware of Catalonia’s advances in tackling the effects of climate change laid out in the Catalan Strategy for Adapting to Climate Change (ESCACC), and to inform research institutions and technology centres of the knowledge generated.

Adaptation Basin Climate change Global change Medacc @en Mediterranean Water

The VII Geo European Projects Workshop organized by CREAF and the EC Concludes

More than 175 experts in earth observation from all over the world have gathered at the VII Geo European Projects Workshop, organized by the European Commission and the CREAF, celebrated on the 15th and 16th of April at the “Casa de la Convalascència” of the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

European commission Geoss @en Geoviqua @en Gepw7 @en Gis @en Xavier pons @en

Catalonia presents a monitoring network for observing the status of forest that is novel to Europe

This new tool is used to obtain the maximum amount of information possible on the actual state of Catalan forests and thus improve their management. The network, called DeBosCat, has been launched by the Department of Agriculture and is coordinated by the CREAF. The data obtained will allow for the assessment of the effects of extreme climatic episodes and then propose measures for the adaptation and management for the most vulnerable species.

Water for Forests and People in the Mediterranean

EFIMED book Water for Forests and People in the Mediterranean – A Challenging Balance , the first volume in the series guides the reader through the basics of water cycle, the concepts of blue and green water, their possible trade-off and the related key challenges with focus on the Mediterranean region and its specificities. The book also contributes to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and public perception.