Improving Sustainable Forest Management of Pinus halepensis Mill. Mid-Aged Stands in a Context of Rural Abandonment, Climate Change, and Wildfires

Pinus halepensis Mill. covers most lowland forests on limestone soils and semiarid to sub-humid climates in the Mediterranean basin. It is considered a key species climate change due its pioneer nature, versatility, flexibility. Moreover, industrial potential an additional incentive promote forest management increase quality productivity while contributing other environmental social objectives. However, there considerable gap science-based knowledge effects of different silvicultural treatments stands. Thus, this research compares impact four (light thinnings, strong transformation uneven-aged, diameter-driven uneven-aged) even-aged mid-rotation stands terms growth, vulnerability, resilience extreme weather events, regeneration, shrub cover. The are evaluated 12 plots 0.49 ha each (three per treatment) contrasted with three non-managed control plots. Light thinning show better growth—at least short term—and stock results than those reported reference yield tables. Transformation uneven-aged treatment shows advantages maintaining periodic stability. In addition, it offers alternative for steep slope stands, smallholders, extended narrow-aged estates speed up desirable balanced age class distribution. Diameter-driven implies greater vulnerability events during first years reduction offering faster taller tree regeneration. A dual regeneration pattern Ulex parviflorus Pourr observed addition post-fire case sudden well-distributed cover around 40% canopy into stand. An observation period longer decade will confirm these conclusions.