Spring

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

Local climate causes trees around Europe to leaf at different times

At this time of year, deciduous trees across Europe are losing the last of their leaves. When will they come into leaf again? A study just published in Nature Communications has shown that while year-to-year leafing date variations can be explained by heat accumulation, local climate is a key factor in geographical variations.

Climate Climate change Europe Forests Leaves Monitoring-ecosystems Phenology Spring