Conservation and sustainable management of Mediterranean forests
Since 2019, when they took over as Medforval secretariat, Istituto Oikos has consolidated the results achieved in previous years and has relaunched the Network. Eighteen forest landscape sites have joined efforts to conserve fragile ecosystems, so critical for all of us.
– Photo: David Tatin –
Mediterranean forests are valuable allies in the fight against climate change. Yet, these ecosystems are amongst the most vulnerable, threatened by natural disasters and especially human activities. Our most extensive reserves of biodiversity are increasingly jeopardized by livestock, agriculture, fire and overexploitation of forest resources.
Medforval is the Network of Mediterranean forests of high ecological value. It was created in 2015 with support from the MAVA Foundation. Originally coordinated by AIFM, the Network protects these ecosystems through good practice exchanges, workshops and study visits.
Oikos has coordinated the Network since 2019, to ensure cooperation, exchange of good practices and mutual learning between the current eighteen member sites. In addition, we endeavour to secure the independence and sustainability of the Network by developing projects and raising resources.
We are raising awareness of the importance of Medforval and its mission – protecting forests also means taking care of our future.
Medforval currently includes eighteen sites in 12 countries: Baixo Guadiana (Portugal), Cratere degli Astroni (Italy), Ermenek-Konya (Turkey), Jordan EcoPark (Jordan), Köprülü (Turkey), La Massane (France), Livanjsko Polje (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Luberon-Lure (France), Poblet (Spain), Prespa (Greece), Prokletije (Montenegro), Samaria (Greece), Shouf Biosphere Reserve (Lebanon), Sierra de las Nieves (Spain), Talassemtane (Morocco), Valle dell’Aterno (Italy), Valle del Ticino (Italy), and Zaghouan (Tunisia).