Catalunya, Spain

The ‘Moianès’ is a rural region in the centre of Catalonia, formed by 10 municipalities, of which only 3 exceed 1000 inhabitants. It is an area with great ecological relevance: first, it is part of the Natural Park of St. Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac.

About this living lab

Furthermore, contains other areas declared of “natural interest” (=protection status): Cingles de Bertí, Gallifa, the area named Moianès and the Riera de Muntanyola, the largest of the protected areas, which includes many of the characteristic and representative natural features of the Moianès plateau.

The vegetation of the region preserves some sub-Mediterranean elements quite rare in the rest of the Catalan territory. It is predominantly forested, dominated by Scots pine and black pine forests and dry martin oak forests in the process of natural regeneration.

This forest landscape is completed with a mosaic of fields and pasture meadows (especially small fields of rainfed cereals) of great interest for biological diversity. Many pine forests are young, because they are the result of the natural expansion of forests on former pasture and agricultural land due to a rural abandonment process experienced in the 20th century.

Diverse wildlife

This area is also known for its diverse wildlife, including martens, foxes and genets. Among the birds, there are several breeding areas of Eurasian eagle-owls and short-toed snake eagles, as well as a feeding ground for the Bonelli’s eagle. There’s numerous local paths and itineraries that visitors can use for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding or motor sports.

Special places of geological value and prehistoric sites, such as the Toll caves, a karst system in limestone, receive a lot of visitors all year round.

Area

30,000 ha

Guiding Management Principle

Production, fire and drought prevention, restoration post- disturbance

Current Management

Extensive management mainly based on uneven-aged silviculture with natural regeneration and even-aged in the youngest pine stands

Management challenges

Integration of biodiversity enhancement and conservation criteria into production management; drought related mortality of pine stands, adaptation to climate change effects

History and culture

Visitors interested in history and culture can also find features of megalithic remains (Puig Rodó dolmen), several hermitages, mills and remains of forts, as well as important historic country houses in this area. In terms of forest management, current objectives include firewood and timber production, fire and drought prevention, post-disturbance restoration, as well as both the enhancement and conservation of biodiversity.