Climate change mitigation and adaptation in Mediterranean forests

Session 2 of the Eighth Mediterranean Forest Week, titled “Climate change mitigation and adaptation in Mediterranean forests,” was structured and chaired by Magda Bou Dagher Kharrat, Principal Scientist at the European Forest Institute’s Mediterranean Facility (EFIMED), Spain, and Pablo Sabín, Chief Executive Officer of the Cesefor Foundation, Spain. 

The session was structured in several parts: first, two keynote speakers each presented their work. This was followed by a discussion moderated by Magda Bou and led by Pablo Sabín, with participation from five other experts. Two posters on the session topics were then presented, and to finish, the panel discussion was summed up by the rapporteur. 

The session’s keynote speakers were François Lefèvre, Senior Scientist at France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), and Bart Muys, Professor of Forest Ecology & Management in the Forest Nature and Landscape Division, KU Leuven, Belgium. 

The panellists 

• Mercedes Caron, Researcher at EFIMED and the Multidisciplinary Institute of Plant Biology (IMBIV-CONICET), Spain 
• Lídia Guitart, Manager of the Montnegre-Corredor Forest Owners Association, Spain 
• Achille Mauri, Forest Ecologist at ETH Zurich, Switzerland 
• Mireia Pecurul, Socioeconomics and Governance of Rural Systems at the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Spain 
• Jean Stephan, Associate Professor at Lebanese University, Lebanon 

The session -related webinar entitled “Species range shift in the face of climate change” is available on YouTube.

The rapid climate warming poses unprecedented threats to Mediterranean forest ecosystems  

Urgent adaptive management strategies are needed in response, to enhance the resilience of the region’s biodiversity-rich forest ecosystems to climate change and to mitigate its impacts. These strategies aim to preserve forest ecosystems, promote sustainable management practices, and mitigate productivity losses, thereby contributing to the economic stability of the region. Moreover, they focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions while addressing vulnerabilities and promoting resilience. 

During this session, the group of experts explored forest responses to threats driven by climate change, including local adaptation and species migration to suitable climatic conditions. Several migration routes and strategies within the Mediterranean region may face heightened risks due to the formidable barrier that is the Mediterranean Sea. However, mountainous areas have served as climate refuges in the past, preserving species and their crucial genetic diversity, which is essential for survival and adaptation to changing environmental conditions. These areas may well serve as climatic refuges in the future. 

During the session, the experts also examined climate change mitigation efforts tailored to the unique climate, geography and socioeconomic factors of the Mediterranean region. This includes the adoption of sustainable land management practices, such as reforestation, afforestation and agroforestry to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and enhance ecosystem resilience. Conserving soils and natural habitats, preventing deforestation and promoting sustainable agricultural and forestry practices are also crucial components. 

Overview of presentations 

The session participants observed that fast environmental changes in Mediterranean forests were leading to shifts in species composition, with an increase in warm-adapted species and a decline in cold-adapted ones, which could threaten the provision of key ecosystem services. Several adaptation options are available, but poorly implemented due to various lock-in mechanisms. Forest managers are therefore facing the challenge of making decisions in an uncertain context. 

Different adaptative strategies were highlighted:  

• Conserve and foster local genetic resources and diversity in species composition.  
• Emphasize the importance of assisted migration and interpretation of nativeness.  
• Increase canopy cover to create cooler conditions, and help control or slow the shift towards warm-adapted species.  
• Create fire-resilient landscapes by identifying win-win opportunities between water, biodiversity and the circular bioeconomy. 

Conclusion and key messages 

There is no unique “best” solution or single correct decision. Managers need to make the best choices using the information available and by developing a comprehensive understanding of recent management practices, local societal demands, scientific data on changes in climate conditions, and future climate projections and their expected impacts.  

We know the key questions, and we are gradually and continuously learning the answers from research and experience. While dealing with uncertainty about natural response mechanisms, we need to combine multiple solutions and develop adaptive strategies to be prepared for the unexpected. 

The session was chaired by Magda Bou Dagher Kharrat (EFIMED) with Pablo Sabín (Cesefor) as co-chair and Riccardo Castellini (Cesefor) as rapporteur.  

Riccardo Castellini (Cesefor)