SilvAdapt.Net: A Site-Based Network of Adaptive Forest Management Related to Climate Change in Spain

Abstract

Adaptive forest management (AFM) is an urgent need because of the uncertainty regarding how changes in the climate will affect the structure, composition and function of forests during the next decades. Current research initiatives for the long-term monitoring of impacts of silviculture are scattered and not integrated into research networks, with the consequent losses of opportunities and capacity for action. To increase the scientific and practical impacts of these experiences, it is necessary to establish logical frameworks that harmonize the information and help us to define the most appropriate treatments. In this context, a number of research groups in Spain have produced research achievements and know-how during the last decades that can allow for the improvement in AFM. These groups address the issue of AFM from different fields, such as ecophysiology, ecohydrology and forest ecology, thus resulting in valuable but dispersed expertise. The main objective of this work is to introduce a comprehensive strategy aimed to study the implementation of AFM in Spain. As a first step, a network of 34 experimental sites managed by 14 different research groups is proposed and justified. As a second step, the most important AFM impacts on Mediterranean pines, as one of the most extended natural and planted forest types in Spain, are presented. Finally, open questions dealing with key aspects when attempting to implement an AFM framework are discussed. This study is expected to contribute to better outlining the procedures and steps needed to implement regional frameworks for AFM.

Retos selvícolas para afrontar la adaptación de los bosques al cambio climático

“…El establecimiento de parcelas y ensayos para el monitoreo a corto, medio y largo plazo de la respuesta del bosque frente a distintas actuaciones resulta fundamental para la adecuada evaluación de la pertinencia de estas actuaciones para la consecución de los objetivos planteados. Además de la red de parcelas experimentales permanentes establecidas por el CIFOR-INIA hace décadas (Montero González et al, 2004), a lo largo de los años se han establecido multitud de parcelas y ensayos en distintas formaciones arboladas mediterráneas que han generado conocimiento de gran relevancia relacionado con prácticas de adaptación al cambio climático (ver, por ejemplo, Molina et al, 2021a). Entre ellas, parcelas establecidas en el marco de trabajos sobre selvicultura ecohidrológica (del Campo et al, 2019;Molina et al, 2021b), quemas prescritas (Valor et al, 2017) (Fig.…”

Forest-based adaptation: transformational adaptation through forests and trees

“…Maintaining relatively healthy ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem services under the influence of climate change requires continuous and increasing efforts (Jandl et al, 2019). New approaches are required for situations in which future ecological conditions will dramatically worsen (Molina et al, 2021) Adaptive management requires risk-based planning approaches and multistakeholder decision-making (Prokhorova, Moiseeva and Govedar, 2021).…”

Integrating Dendrochronological and LiDAR Data to Improve Management of Pinus canariensis Forests under Different Thinning and Climatic Scenarios

“…High-density Canary pine forests planted on Tenerife during the 20th century exacerbate the risks of wildfires, pests, and forest dieback. Forest managers have recently been re-evaluating the value of these pine plantations, with the goal of adapting the original pine plantations through the use of silvicultural methods [20,21]. Furthermore, the different environmental conditions across limited geographic areas within the Canary Islands have been influenced by trade winds, resulting in a notable contrast between the windward (northern) slopes, where moisture is primarily received, and the drier leeward (southern) slopes.…”