Forest inventory of the public utility forests in Luna (Zaragoza)

Inventories are fundamental for conducting #forestmanagement. Forest management regulates the use of forest #resources to ensure their improvement and the #sustainability of the operations.

During these days, we have been conducting the forest inventory in some of the public utility forests in #Luna (#Zaragoza). The dominant #pine in these forests is the Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis), but we have also found the Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) and the Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris). The forests of Luna are located between 500 and 800 meters above sea level, where forest masses enjoy a good site quality that allows for good tree growth and the development of dense #scrubland of #oak species and other shrubby species.

Recurrent forest fires

Forest #fires in this area have been recurrent and have generated different strata. Something that has surprised us is the significant infestation of #mistletoe (Viscum album). This is a semi-parasitic plant that grows in the tops of these pines, which can weaken them to the point that any disturbance such as wind or snow can end them.

These forests need to be managed properly to minimize the risk of fire, improve the state of the #ecosystems, and to generate value for the rural communities living in their surroundings. An example of these communities is the beautiful #village of #ElFrago, where we have stayed these days, which with fewer than 100 inhabitants needs to stabilize its population to preserve its valuable #localculture.

We leave you some photos of this wonderful experience in the mountains of #Spain.