Interview with Josep Maria Espelta, scientific coordinator of a course run by CIHEAM Zaragoza and CREAF on the resilience of the Mediterranean forest

Josep Maria Espelta is a researcher at the public research centre CREAF  and the Autonomous University of Barcelona. His main lines of work include the study of forest ecosystem resilience to climate change. Prior to the course "Management Strategies to Improve the Resilience of Mediterranean Forests", jointly organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza and CREAF in collaboration with EFIMed, we have had the opportunity to talk to him about the importance of forest management and resilience in the Mediterranean region.

- The advanced course for professionals to be held at CIHEAM Zaragoza in April later this year will focus on resilience of the Mediterranean forest. Can you explain more about this concept? What are the main scientific breakthroughs made in recent years?

- There are different definitions of resilience, but in this context, it refers to a forest system’s capacity to withstand environmental disturbances or changes and then reorganise itself efficiently, conserving its essential structure, identity and functions. In recent years, we have been seeing greater interest in learning more about this capacity and there is mounting evidence of the effects of climate-change related forest disturbance. The diversity of forest systems (species, structures, etc.) also plays an increasing role in strengthening resilience to disturbance.

- Why is it so important to assess how resilient Mediterranean forest ecosystems are to shifts in land use and climate change?

- Two features coincide in Mediterranean forest landscapes that make study of resilience to climate change particularly relevant: the benefits they provide and the threats that they face. On one hand, these forests provide numerous essential ecosystem services (or benefits) for the inhabitants of the Mediterranean region, a densely populated area. On the other, droughts, fires and pests that arise as a consequence of climate change present multiple threats and hazards, endangering conservation of the forests and continuity of the services they provide.

- What is your perception of the current situation of forest management in the Mediterranean? How can the course organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza and CREAF help to address this situation?

- Although the situation in the Mediterranean varies from region to region, forest management today has diversified its objectives and places more emphasis on conserving forest multifunctionality and adaptability to climate change. One of the essential values of the course that CIHEAM Zaragoza and CREAF are coorganising is that it provides conceptual and methodological tools that reinforce this focus, in addition to an integrated vision of how to address the challenges and threats that Mediterranean-climate forests face today.

- What advice would you give to the professionals that aspire to design more efficient and adaptational forest practices in territories with Mediterranean climates?

- I would say address the matter with the broadest scope possible, prioritising long-term vision and adaptability, whilst keeping in mind the high level of uncertainty that Mediterranean ecosystems are facing in a climate change scenario.

- Besides the role played by forest managers, what can society do to overcome the main threats for Mediterranean forests?

- Today’s society is increasingly urban and disconnected from the rural world. The main challenge is to understand that forest management is essential to conserve Mediterranean ecosystems and maintain the services they provide.