CENTRE: COVID-A

We are in year one after the first pandemic. The planet is occupied entirely by humans who still believe in GDP ... Well, not entirely... A research center populated by a little bit of everything, the truth, is looking for ways to keep the planet habitable for our species.

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The hidden side of rarity: it's not that rare being rare

Begoña García has spent many years passionately studying a curious plant, Borderea chouardii. It is a rare species with a biogeographical origin that dates back to the Tertiary and remains confined to a few limestone cliffs in the Central Pyrenees. Unknown until the middle of the 20th century, it is considered an endangered species. But... is it?

Citizen science Ecology Endangered species Endangeres Extinction Festina lente @en Metapoblations Plants Rare species Rarity

A year of respite for Catalonia’s forests

With spring almost upon us, CREAF’s experts are reporting that this year could be a chance for Catalonia’s forests to recover from accumulated past droughts and the devastating effects of the pine processionary. There will be no let-up for the territory’s undergrowth, however, with the box tree moth’s continuing expansion leaving just 20% of box plants with new growth.

Box Box tree most Catalunya @en Caterpillar Drought Forestry Forests Infestation Oaks Spring

Plants growing at extremes follow the global rules

CREAF takes part in an international study aboy Arctic tundra leads by iDiV where they discover that tundra plants are more diverse in how they cope with cold climates than previously thought.  In a warming world, these tundra plants will benefit from having a wide range of ways to adapt to the changing climate.

Adaptation Biological traits Climate change Evolution Functional traits Josep peñuelas @en Sandra díaz @en Tundra @en

Green infrastructure planned at European level is more efficient

The need to fit the pieces of a currently fragmented landscape has led the European Union and the various territorial administrations to promote green infrastructure. This type of planning could secure ecosystem services and increase the connectivity of the Natura 2000 network, while improving the coverage of species of conservation interest in the EU beyond the current protected areas.

Alejandra morán @en Green infraestructure Lluis brotons @en Planning Policy estrategy Ue @en Virglio hermoso