The Forest Health Meetings in the Pyrenees, held over three days — from 25 to 27 March —, brought together around forty experts, researchers, technicians and forest managers to analyse the current state of Pyrenean forests and the challenges associated with climate change. Among the conclusions shared during the meeting, it was highlighted that up to 23% of the silver firs studied have recently died in some areas of the Aragonese Pyrenees, a figure that reflects the growing vulnerability of these ecosystems in certain contexts.

The meeting took place במסגרת the European Interreg POCTEFA SANA SILVA project, with the participation of the Government of Aragon, FORESPIR and the Pyrenean Observatory for Climate Change (OPCC). In this context, the OPCC has contributed to promoting cross-border cooperation and the exchange of key information to better understand the impacts of climate change on the Pyrenean mountain range and to foster coordination between territories.

Over the three days of work, the main factors affecting the health of fir forests were addressed. Pyrenean fir forests are a cornerstone of the local economy and natural resource management. They provide high-quality timber used in construction and furniture, play a key role in limiting erosion and landslides in mountain areas, and contribute to regulating the local climate. In addition, they host endemic plant and animal species and have shaped the landscapes of the Pyrenees for centuries.

The studies presented point to a combination of causes, including insect pest outbreaks, fungal diseases, the presence of parasites such as mistletoe and, significantly, rising temperatures and the increasing frequency of drought episodes. Taken together, these factors increase stress on the trees and reduce their capacity to adapt.

In this context, the silver fir (Abies alba), located at a particularly sensitive climatic boundary in Aragon, is especially vulnerable to the increase in droughts and heatwaves. This meeting is also part of the study carried out by the Aragonese administration on the decline of fir forests. Monitoring conducted between 2020 and 2024 shows that this process is accelerating, leading, among other effects, to a loss of carbon storage capacity and a decrease in forest ecosystem services.

The programme also included technical sessions and opportunities for exchange between regions on both sides of the border — Spain, France and Andorra —, making it possible to share experiences and approaches in the field of forest health, improve the detection of these processes, and make progress in sustainable forest management practices.

As part of the sessions, field visits were carried out in Villanúa and Borau, where participants were able to directly observe different situations regarding the health status of fir forests. These visits made it possible to compare stands showing signs of decline with others that maintain more favourable conditions, highlighting territorial variability and the influence of local factors such as altitude and water availability.

The Meetings highlighted the importance of continuing to advance scientific knowledge and the implementation of adaptive forest management measures. In this regard, the role of the OPCC is particularly relevant as a reference platform for monitoring the impacts of climate change in the Pyrenees and for coordinating common responses that contribute to the conservation of these mountain ecosystems.

The SANA SILVA project will continue to develop actions aimed at improving the resilience of Pyrenean forests by strengthening collaboration between territories, fostering a community of experts and a common framework for analysis and monitoring across the entire Pyrenees, and promoting shared strategies to address the effects of climate change. The SANA SILVA project is co-financed at 65% by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain–France–Andorra programme (POCTEFA 2021–2027), whose objective is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the border area. The project will run for three years, from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026.