Field works for typing of Cork oak forests

The objective is the definition of the typologies of Cork oak forests present in these areas and the characterization of their structure and dynamics for the definition of management schemes (jungle itineraries) adapted to each typology that maximize the ability to hire carbon of these forest formations.

Cork oaks, together with the holm oaks, are the most characteristic Mediterranean forests of the Iberian Peninsula and, possibly, the most important from the economic point of view. In addition, Mediterranean cork oak forests are ecosystems of high ecological value, providing numerous ecosystem goods and services, so their conservation must be a priority.

The cork is the main product of the cork oak, but these forests provide other direct ecosystem products and services such as supply of wood, hunting uses, provision of water resources and other non-wood forest products (fungi, acorns that feed both cattle and wild animals, etc.).
Also indirect ones, such as the contribution to Climate Change Mitigation, Carbon absorption, water regulation, the conservation and improvement of the soil, reduction of forest fires, the conservation of biodiversity, the regulation of air quality, biological control and promotion of pollination processes, among others.

Degraded Cork oak forest example: All trees are the same age, with no replacement

Forestry management (silviculture) is essential for the maintenance of Cork Oak masses and their associated ecosystem services.
In the current context of Climate Change, it is necessary to incorporate in the management of the cork oak forests new techniques and innovative methodologies to face this challenge and guarantee their environmental, economic and social sustainability. But this forest management must be adapted to the characteristics of each typology of Alcornocal, its ecological dynamics and the established management objectives. The work of collection of field and bibliographic data carried out by the technical team of the LIFE CO2RK project has allowed the classification of the cork oak masses in six different typologies that cover and group the forests present in the project intervention zone. Defined typologies are:

1. Non-degraded pure and mixed cork oaks.
2. Degraded cork oaks.
3. Cork oak dehesas & montados.
4. Pine tree forests with young cork oaks growing under the pines
5. Cork oak plantations.
6. Cork oak stains (thicket trees).

Next steps

For each of these typologies, specific forest management schemes will be defined and oriented to the maximization of the carbon kidnapping capacity (CO₂) maintaining the provision of the rest of the current products and services, defining the actions to be performed for a specific management period. CO₂ is the main greenhouse gas and these works will serve to remove it from the atmosphere and store it in forest ecosystems as a measure of mitigating the effects of climate change. Besides, a standard of greenhouse gas emission compensation will be defined that allows the economic valuation of the carbon set through these forest actions, from which the owners who adopt and implement said management schemes can benefit.