Improvement of the conservation status of forest habitats in the Mediterranean Biogeographical Region applying restoration and conservation techniques and close to nature management

Introduction

The Mediterranean Biogeographical Area includes numerous forest habitats that can be classified based on their different conservation and management regimes. However, the conservation status of these forest habitats is threatened by the lack of a common system of recognition and classification, as well as no clear evaluation of their conservation status. This situation hinders the determination of clear, shared strategies for the conservation of forest habitats.

Project Objectives

The project aims to provide flexible models of close-to-nature forest management. It aspires to apply these models in demonstrative forest areas located in four Mediterranean countries:

1. Spain
2. France
3. Italy
4. Greece

In these countries, the target habitats are widespread and representative.

Target Habitats

The habitats targeted by the project are indicated in the Habitat Directive as follows:

• Habitat 9340 - Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia forests
• Habitat 9330 - Quercus suber forests
• Habitat 9260 - Castanea sativa woods
• Priority Habitat 9530* - (Sub-) Mediterranean pine forests with endemic black pines

Habitat Coverage

The overall coverage of the project habitats in the four target countries includes:

• 26,100 km² of Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia forests (habitat 9340)
• 4,173 km² of Quercus suber forests (habitat 9330)
• 254,514 km² of Castanea sativa woods (habitat 9260)
• 7,046 km² of (Sub-) Mediterranean pine forests with endemic black pines (habitat 9530)

Through the project, the chosen habitats will be represented in 99% of their overall European distribution.

Management Challenges

The four forest habitats on which GoProForMED focuses are not only representative of the Mediterranean biogeographical area in terms of surface but are also sensitive in their management. The known criticalities for all habitats are linked to careless management of silvicultural activities, which often accentuate regressive effects, threatening the conservation status of the habitats themselves.