Experts from across the Mediterranean gathered in Barcelona, Spain, for the 8th Mediterranean Forest Week (8MFW), organised by the European Forest Institute Mediterranean Facility (EFIMED), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and the Joint Organising Committee (JOC).
The event, held from 4–7 November, saw nearly 300 participants from across the Mediterranean region in attendance. The theme of the event, “Working Together for Sustainable and Resilient Mediterranean Forests – Towards a Collaborative Roadmap”, provided a valuable opportunity for government representatives, forest stakeholders, and researchers to engage in crucial discussions on strategies for restoring degraded landscapes and addressing the urgent impacts of climate change.
Setting the scene
Mediterranean forests, which cover about 10% of the region’s land area, are essential to both biodiversity and human well-being. They host approximately 25,000 indigenous plant species, offer renewable resources and income for local communities, and provide critical ecosystem services, such as regulating water cycles and mitigating natural disasters. Yet these forests are increasingly vulnerable. Each year, forest fires destroy over 400,000 hectares, while at least 16% of the animal and plant species they support face extinction due to climate change and human activity.
Cross-cutting pathways to Mediterranean forest resilience
From the increasing challenges in maintaining landscape resilience to advancing biodiversity conservation and implementing sustainable forest management practices, the 8MFW focused on the urgency of addressing these issues from a cross-cutting and multidisciplinary perspective. A central idea was to promote a shared roadmap in the Mediterranean, from North to South and East to West, with the aim of working towards better sustainable forest management and the resilience of Mediterranean forests in an era of constant environmental change. Scientists, policymakers, practitioners and key actors from institutions and NGOs all put efforts into exploring innovative approaches, suggesting solutions and raising the profile of forest restoration. Six plenary sessions made up he core programme, along with side events, poster presentations, networking discussions and field trips, all focusing on aligning regional Mediterranean needs and strategies with global environmental commitments.
Six core themes for Mediterranean forest resilience
1. The first theme explored the importance of building resilience in Mediterranean forest ecosystems. With climate change putting unprecedented pressure on the region’s forests, discussions focused on restoration strategies and policies that can help mitigate the impacts of this global crisis. The need for policies that align with international agreements, such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, was highlighted, with various case studies demonstrating how regional and national approaches are being implemented to restore degraded landscapes. This session was organised by FAO Forest and Landscape Restoration with the support of the General Directorate of Forests, Turkiye.
2. Linked closely to this was the theme of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Forest ecosystems in the Mediterranean are highly sensitive to shifts in climate, and strategies are urgently needed, not only to protect them but also to adapt to changing conditions. Panellists and keynote speakers emphasised local adaptation as the primary response of healthy populations supported by high genetic diversity, along with the migration of species in search of favorable climatic conditions. They highlighted the critical role of mountainous areas as refuges for species adapting to shifting habitats. Sustainable land management practices, such as reforestation, agroforestry, and the protection of natural habitats, were presented as essential tools for both enhancing carbon sequestration and promoting ecosystem resilience. It was clear from these discussions that a region-specific approach is vital, as the Mediterranean faces unique challenges compared to other parts of the world. The session was organised by the European Forest Institute (EFI) with the support of CESEFOR.
3. Biodiversity conservation was another central topic, with the session on Mediterranean forest biodiversity addressing the urgent need to preserve the rich variety of life that thrives in these ecosystems. The discussion focused on how the principles of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) can be adapted to the Mediterranean context, particularly in relation to the ambitious targets of reducing biodiversity loss and conserving 30% of land. Panellists explored the role of nature-based solutions, the revitalisation of traditional cultural practices, and the importance of genetic diversity in fostering integrative approaches to biodiversity preservation and the maintenance of ecosystem services. The Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium, launched in 2021, was highlighted as one of the key initiatives responding to the environmental challenges the region faces, bringing together a range of stakeholders to work towards common goals. The session was co-organised by IUCN and AIFM.
4. The issue of wildfires, which have become increasingly devastating in recent years, was addressed in detail. As wildfires continue to threaten Mediterranean forests, the focus is on prevention rather than suppression. Plenary discussions explored innovative approaches to integrated fire management, with an emphasis on pre-fire fuel management, particularly in wildland-urban interfaces and forest-agriculture boundaries. Post-fire restoration was equally important, with experts highlighting successful strategies to rebuild forest ecosystems after devastating fires. The session, organised by Silva Mediterranea‘s working group on forest fires, led by the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO), and the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), with the support of the Barcelona Provincial Government (DIBA) and FAO, made it clear that tackling the wildfire problem requires a multifaceted approach that includes both prevention and restoration.
5. The session urbanisation and the need to establish more green cities emphasised the need for greater interconnection between urban areas and the forest ecosystems that make up or surround these cities. In the case of Mediterranean cities, which are currently facing the double challenge of the effects of climate change and public health, urban green spaces play a key role in enhancing citizen well-being and promoting physical and mental health. Experts at the session, who gave presentations addressing policies and tools to better integrate nature into urban transformation, highlighted the co-benefits of integrating trees and forests in urban areas to contribute to climate resilience, air pollution reduction and heat stress mitigation. They also called for further work towards planning greener cities with the aim that these should become more liveable and resilient. The session was organised by CREAF and FAO and supported by EFI.
6. The final segment of the plenary programme focused on development cooperation linked to forestry and the financial instruments available in the Mediterranean to support the protection and restoration of the region’s forests. Considering the important socio-economic challenges facing the Mediterranean, the guest speakers highlighted international funding agencies and inter-governmental collaboration as key players to ensure that projects in the Mediterranean are successful and sustainable not only in the short term but also in the long term. EFI and the Union for the Mediterranean organised the session.
Exploring these six central themes in plenary was complemented by numerous opportunities for participants to network and discuss further. Throughout the week, poster sessions allowed researchers to present their latest studies and innovations. Moreover, side events were the occasion to dive deeper into specific topics, connect with experts involved in projects and initiatives tackling groundbreaking technologies and novel approaches, and give voice to key actors, including young researchers and students, through the Youth dialogue of the 8MFW. During the week, pictures and video interviews were screened from the audiovisual exhibition on women working in the forests of Catalonia ‘Emboscades. Dones i Bosc’, created by the American photographer Michele Curel.
Hands-on insights into forest resilience
On Wednesday, 6 November, participants of the 8th Mediterranean Forest Week had the opportunity to choose from three simultaneous field visits, each offering a unique perspective on the ground to delve into practical strategies and solutions for addressing the challenges faced by Mediterranean forests.
One group explored the Collserola Natural Park, located just outside Barcelona. This mountain range, spanning 8,000 hectares, sits in the heart of the metropolitan area and provides critical ecosystem services to millions of people. The visit focused on the balance between urbanisation and forest conservation, particularly the need for fire prevention and biodiversity protection in this highly urbanised region. Participants were guided through the forest’s diverse landscapes, learning about the integration of traditional forest management practices and modern solutions to combat the growing threats from climate change and human activity.
The second visit took participants to inland Catalonia, where innovative fire prevention practices were being tested. Here, the focus was on integrating traditional land use activities, such as grazing, with modern wildfire risk reduction strategies. Participants learned how controlled grazing around urban areas is being used to reduce fuel load and prevent wildfires. The visit also explored the role of vineyards in fire prevention, with wine producers adopting sustainable land management practices to protect their properties from fire risk. Additionally, attendees saw how resin extraction, a practice less common in the region of Catalonia, can provide both an economic benefit and a fire prevention tool in densely forested areas.
The third group travelled to the Serra de Queralt, located in Barcelona and Tarragona provinces, severely impacted by the 2021 wildfires. Here, participants were introduced to a collaborative restoration project aimed at reshaping fire-affected landscapes. Experts from local authorities, forestry groups, and research institutions shared their insights into the restoration process, focusing on plant regeneration, erosion control, and soil fertility recovery. The visit stressed the importance of a landscape-scale approach to fire recovery, showing how coordinated efforts can help rebuild ecosystems after devastating forest fires.
Each of these field visits provided valuable insights into the diverse approaches being taken to preserve Mediterranean forests, highlighting the importance of collaboration, innovation, and community involvement in forest management and wildfire resilience.
Paving the way for Mediterranean forests’ future
The 8MFW concluded with a high-level session announcing a proposed Mediterranean Forest Initiative, which aims to enhance cooperation among regional actors and scale up restoration efforts. Building on existing institutional frameworks, this initiative seeks to tackle the mounting threats from droughts, floods, and forest fires through collaborative and innovative strategies.
Throughout the four-day event, the 8MFW highlighted the critical need to join forces to protect the Mediterranean’s vital ecosystems. The event provided an essential platform for dialogue and collaboration, advancing the agenda for sustainable forest management in the region. As the week drew to a close, the shared commitment to preserve the region’s forests and promote youth engagement in forest-based solutions shone through. The outcomes of the event, from policy recommendations to practical strategies, are set to shape the future of Mediterranean forests and ensure they remain resilient in the face of growing environmental challenges.
