On April 5, 2024, 45 students of the subject “Forest Reforestation”, of the Degree in Forestry Engineering of the University of Lleida (UdL) taught at the Higher Technical School of Agri-Food and Forest Engineering and Veterinary Medicine from Lleida, attended a technical seminar on assisted migration for the adaptation of forest masses to climate change, within the framework of the LIFE ADAPT-ALEPPO (LIFE20 CCA/ES/001809).
The seminar consisted of a visit to the demonstrative stand of the C2 action of the LIFE project, in the municipality of Sant Martí de Tous (Barcelona), led by Aitor Ameztegui Gonzalez (Professor of the UdL of the Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering and Forest).
Directly in the field, the assisted migration technique used was shown through the use of different origins of Aleppo pine, for demonstration purposes of mass adaptation to climate change.
Thus, topics were discussed such as what it consists of and the interest of assisted migration in forest repopulation, regions of origin, repopulation techniques, plant production in the nursery, survival monitoring (counting of yore) and physiological state of the plants, as well as the problems and solutions to the long-term impacts of climate change in the forestry sector, and especially in the Mediterranean environment.
The students showed special interest in ethical issues associated with assisted migration and in the design of a scientific experiment (random complete blocks).
With the development of this activity aimed at future professionals in the forestry and environmental sector, the aim is to:
- Raise awareness about the anticipated consequences of climate change and its impact on forests in the Mediterranean area.
- Promote awareness about the importance of avoiding the loss of forest areas and the benefits and ecological functions that are related to them.
Promote the use of tactics and the application of the best knowledge in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.