LL South is located in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain), specifically in the regions of Cuéllar (Segovia) and Montemayor de Pililla (Valladolid). It is led by the regional forest owner association FACYLE (Federación de Asociaciones Forestales de Castilla y León) and the University of Valladolid. Current forest management in this area focuses primarily on non-timber products, such as pine nuts and resin, with timber production playing a secondary role.
The main goal of the Living Lab is to broaden multifunctional forest management by introducing payment for ecosystem services (PES) schemes for carbon and biodiversity. Local solutions, developed through a bottom-up approach led by forest owners’ associations, will be tested to improve operational and economic efficiency, increase responsibility and address challenges such as limited access, low harvesting intensity, forest equipment shortages and legal barriers. To overcome the low-intensity management caused by financial constraints, lack of managerial expertise and a restrictive regulatory framework, the project will incorporate AI-powered forest management assistants to support and optimise decision-making.
The forest ownership structure in the area presents a major challenge, as properties are highly fragmented and scattered among numerous small landowners. Many are unaware of the exact location of their plots, making coordinated management difficult. Additional obstacles include bureaucratic complexity and a lack of accessible information from public administrations. The desired future state involves stronger landowner associations, better plot identification, administrative support, local incentives for forest maintenance and improved access to forestry-related information.
Properties
The municipalities in which the properties will be located are Torrescárcela, Cogeces del Monte, Montemayor de Pililla, etc. (in Valladolid province) and Cuéllar, Samboal, etc. (in Segovia province).
PROPERTY 1: El Henar (Cuéllar, Segovia)
It consists of several forest plots belonging to a single owner, covering a total area of 5.6 hectares. The dominant species in this area is stone pine (Pinus pinea), and pine cone harvesting is the main form of exploitation. Recently, silvicultural interventions have been carried out to prevent potential damage, helping to maintain the health and productivity of the forest.
PROPERTY 2: Dehesa Mayor (Cuéllar, Segovia)
The property is made up of several forest plots owned by different individuals, each with a surface area of less than 2.0 hectares. Altogether, the plots cover a total of 9.3 hectares. The dominant species is pine (Pinus pinaster), and the main purpose of exploitation is the extraction of resin and wood production.
PROPERTY 3: Multiple plots from different owners
The area consists of a mixed forest dominated by Pinus pinaster and Pinus pinea, covering a total of 100 hectares. The forest is primarily managed for resin extraction, timber production, and pine cone harvesting. In recent years, preventive silvicultural interventions have been carried out in parts of the forest to maintain its health and resilience.
PROPERTY 4: Torrescárcela (Valladolid)
The area of action spans 724 hectares, divided into approximately 1,200 plots and shared among 400 to 450 owners. On average, each plot covers 1.66 hectares, while the average area managed per owner is 2.66 hectares. The forest is a mixed stand, composed mainly of stone pine (Pinus pinea), resin pine (Pinus pinaster), holm oak (Quercus ilex), and juniper (Juniperus spp.). Currently, the area is largely unused, with only limited activities related to self-consumption of firewood and pine cone collection. However, it holds significant potential for resin tapping, pine cone harvesting, and timber production.
Forest owners characteristics
- The forest owners in this group are generally older individuals who actively manage and care for their plots, often having purchased the land themselves. Some take a hands-on approach, carrying out the forestry work on their own, while others hire local forestry companies to handle the management tasks on their behalf.
- This group consists of forest owners who live and work in large cities, typically in non-forestry sectors. Many of them are disconnected from their land, often unaware of the exact location of their plots due to a lack of connection with their heritage. Even when they do know where their plots are, they generally lack the time or capacity to manage them.
- This group includes family forest owners, where the land is jointly owned by the family, but only one member takes an active role in managing it. This individual is usually the only one who knows the exact location of the plots and is responsible for carrying out or overseeing the necessary forestry work. While this person demonstrates a genuine interest in the forest, the rest of the family tends to show concern only when there is a prospect of financial gain.
- This group consists of young forest owners who have inherited their plots and decided to relocate from big cities to rural areas where their forests are situated in order to manage them directly. They often seek to acquire additional forest plots and frequently take responsibility for managing other owners’ lands on their behalf. In many cases, they also assist fellow owners in locating their forest plots or finding new ones.
