Analog Forestry for Ecological Restoration in the Mediterranean Region

The project aims to establish the basis for the development of Analog Forestry (AF) in the Mediterranean region, especially in Spain, as a tool for ecosystem restoration and sustainable land use. It is an ecological restoration tool that allows the creation of ecologically stable and socioeconomically productive landscapes, mimicking the structure, function and processes of mature forests. This is materialized in a specific but flexible methodology, based on scientific-technical knowledge, which has a wide applicability to all types of ecosystem restoration projects, facilitating and improving the work of professionals. It uses an international methodology that is already applied in more than 25 countries, some of which have incorporated it in their state reforestation plans for ecosystem restoration (e.g. Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Bolivia or Cameroon).

FIC has been subcontracted by the International Foundation for Ecosystem Restoration (FIRE), on the one hand as part of the Expert Committee for the Development of Analog Forestry in the Mediterranean, and on the other hand to analyze the need to incorporate future climate information into the overall AF methodology to include adaptation to climate change.

• Contribute to the evolution of the international AF methodology so that it reflects the particularities of Mediterranean ecosystems and is fully applicable to them.
  Create a unique database (BBDD) with the main species of flora useful for ER and AF in the Spanish Mediterranean region, including the main characteristics of these species, similar to those of the International Analog Forestry Network (RIFA) in other regions of the world.
• Analyze the need to incorporate future climate information into the overall AF methodology to include climate change adaptation.
• Create a database with scientific articles that support the principles of AF, with a focus on the functioning of Mediterranean ecosystems.
• Create a repository of AF success stories and similar practices in Spain and around the world, which will serve both to encourage owners and professionals to adopt the methodology, as well as to guide and inspire future AF projects.
• Create the first Mediterranean Analog Forestry Network (RMFA) to widely disseminate this tool.
• Integrate land stewardship as a tool for AF development.
• Train professionals in AF-related disciplines and owners to design and implement AF projects.