Iberianature

Snails as a bioindicator after forest fire

A team of Catalan researchers has studied the changes in the make-up of animal populations following forest fires, and have concluded that snails are a good indicator of forest recovery. The conclusions of this study, carried out in Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park, will help to ensure that post-fire forestry operations that do not harm these species of molluscs, which are sensitive to microclimatic conditions of the soil and vegetation structure. More here in English

Fire, Invertebrates, Spanish forests | Tags: bioindicators of forest recovery, Snails in Spain, Spanish snails, Uses of snails|

Black poplars of Aragon

Aragon, Flora, Spanish forests, Traditional activities | Tags: Black poplar in Spain, Chabier de Jaime Loren, El chopo cabecero en el sur de Aragon, Fernando Herrero Loma, southern Aragon, Trees of Aragon|

Call for yews to form World Heritage Site

The Observatorio Convergente de Árboles Singulares y Monumentales, of the Fundación Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente has made an interesting call for all yews in Northern Spain to form a collective World Heritage Site as a method of protecting them, from the serious attacks suffered in the last twenty years. In the photo above, the stunning yew outside the church of San Cristóbal de Valdueza, in Ponferrada (El Bierzo, León). Crónica Verde

See also

• Yews in Spain
• Largest yew forest in Europe to be protected

Spanish forests | Tags: El Bierzo, Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, Fundación Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, León, Ponferrada, San Cristóbal de Valdueza, World Heritage Site trees, yew protection|

Small rodents discourage forest growth in Spain

Research in five degraded landscapes in the National Park of Sierra Nevada (Granada) appears to show that field mice base their diet on holm oak and pine seeds, causing a deterioration of the habitats and an extension of scrubland in the forests. Science Daily

Mammals, Spanish forests, Spanish rodents | Tags: Field mice in Spain, Granada, Rodents in spain|

Dutch elm disease in Spain

Dutch elm disease (grafiosis in Spanish) arrived relatively late to Spain. It was first detected in the 1980s, though it may well have reached the country a decade before, and has decimated 80-90% of common elms (Ulmus minor) in Iberia. One of the very few elm stands to have survived in Spain is in Rivas Vaciamadrid, near Madrid, as it is isolated from other trees. Efforts are being made here to conserve the trees here and ensure a genetic bank from which one day to replant elms across the country.
Wikipedia (Spanish)

Flora, On Spain, Spanish forests | Tags: elms in Spain, history of Ducth elm disease, Iberian elms, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi Spain, Rivas Vaciamadrid, Spanish elms, Spanish translation of Dutch elm disease, tree diseases in Spain|

Documentary about Spain’s forests

I enjoyed this documentary about the biodiversity of the forests of Spain, whose geographical positions means they are the most varied in the whole of Europe. Uploaded by forestman.

Geography, Spanish forests, videos | Tags: biodiversity of forests of Spain|

Spain to plant 45 million trees

The Spanish government has announced a plan to plant 45 million trees of local Iberian, Balearic and Canarian species with the aim of promoting “Spain’s natural heritage”. The plan involves reforesting more than 61,000 hectares, revitalising ecosystems and creating some 3,000 jobs, particularly in rural areas. The planting will be done in public lands between 2009 and 2012 and will require an investment of 90 million euros. The programme is backed by the a new forest fire prevention plan

The director of Greenpeace España, Juan López Uralde, states that the announcement “is a first step but is insuficient to put a stop to desertification”. El Mundo

See also

• Forests in Spain
• Forested area of Spain (Forum)

Conservation, Spanish forests, desertification | Tags: Greenpeace, reforestation in Spain, tree planting in Spain, uan López Uralde|

Largest yew forest in Europe to be protected

Unlike northern Europe where most yew woods were felled, northern Spain is still home to a few remarkable patches of yew forest, the biggest of which (and the largest yew forest in Europe), is in the Sierra de Sueve in Asturias. After years of campaigns, it is now finally to be protected. The wood covers 80 hectares and is home to a remarkable 8,000 yew trees, many of which are more than 1000 years old. La Crónica Verde

Medieval Spain exported much yew wood to Northern Europe which was in demand for boat and longbow manufacture. Iberian yew wood had less knots in it than northern yews because climatic conditions and was highly valued.

A poison from yew was used by the ancient Cantabrians and Celts as a poison to prevent their capture at the hands of enemies. As in much of the world the yew was venerated as a sacred tree and formed part of rituals, no doubt much of which was due to the yew’s extreme longevity. A vestige of this is the common presence of ancient yews growing in churchyards in Galicia and Asturias. Testament to the once more common presence of yew woods is the plethora of placenames – Tejeda/Tejedal/Teixadal – meaning yew wood.

See also Yews in Spain

Asturias, Spanish forests | Tags: largest yew forest in Europe, Sierra de Sueve, yew protection|

Carbon sequestration in Spain

According to a new report by Gas Natural, la Sierra de la Demanda between Burgos and Soria absorbs more greenhouse gases than any other forest in Spain.  La Demanda in one year absorbed 95,244 tons of co2, twice as much as the entire Cordillera Cantabrica. (Alfredo – Forum) 

Carbon sequestration, Castilla y León, On Spain, Spanish forests | |

Calatanazor juniper forest

The Sabinar de Calatanazor is a remarkable forest of Spanish juniper (Juniperus thurifera) in Soria near the village of Calatanazor. Read

Castilla y León, Spanish forests | Tags: Calatanazor, Juniperus thurifera, Sabinar de Calatanazor, Soria, Spanish juniper|

Spanish charcoal making

One of the most traditional economic activities associated with forests in Spain is the virtually extinct job of charcoal making. The job of the carbonero, the charcoal maker, was a hard one, requiring constant attention in all weathers. Whole families were often involved. Forestman has posted this video on the art, in this case on the common use of carrasco (holm oak). The 1984 film Tasio pays tribute to the Basque charcoal makers of the Sierra de Urbasa.

Human geography of Spain, Spanish forests, Traditional activities | |