A new investigation, resulting from the collaboration between CREAF, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), has developed a set of 36 specific proposals for natural capital management. The aim is to enhance the sustainability of mountain tourist areas and minimize environmental risks stemming from climate change.
The study, published in the journal Mountain Research and Development, emphasizes that conserving and improving the natural environment represents the most strategic future investment for ski and mountain facilities. This work is part of the Neret Project, driven by FGC to increase natural capital around the resorts it manages, such as La Molina and la Vall de Núria.
The findings highlight the dependency of these resorts' activities on surrounding natural resources, including forests, pastures, and river courses. These elements are crucial for creating skiable areas, providing avalanche protection, supplying water for artificial snow, and shaping the landscape that enriches the tourist experience.
Among the proposed measures are the preservation and expansion of forest cover, restoration of degraded pastures, reduction of unnecessary infrastructure, improvement of water storage, restoration of ecosystems like mountain streams and alpine meadows, and the creation of new habitats, such as butterfly gardens.
FGC has already begun implementing actions derived from the project. At La Molina, efforts are underway to improve forest mass through Catalonia's forest climate credits system (PROMACC program), which contribute to carbon sequestration, water consumption optimization, biodiversity conservation, and wildfire risk reduction.
In la Vall de Núria, a 30,000 m2 area is being recovered for gardens and pastures, creating spaces to promote butterfly pollination and expanding the frog pond. The Congress of Bioengineering was also held there, showcasing techniques for repairing a slope damaged by a landslide.
The study also addresses pasture management at La Molina, where approximately 3,500 sheep, cattle, and horses graze. It recommends improving pasture management through livestock rotation systems, restoration of degraded areas, and control of invasive species to enhance ecosystem quality and reduce soil degradation.
The authors emphasize that, despite differences between the analyzed resorts, water, rural uses (livestock, timber), and cultural services (landscape, recreational activities) are key priority factors. These elements are essential for the resorts' operation, the well-being of local communities, and the region's tourism appeal.
Integrating natural capital into management plans can help better identify the risks and opportunities associated with climate change and land-use shifts, facilitating decisions that ensure the sector's long-term sustainability. The analysis combined scientific data, economic models, geographical information, and fieldwork with participatory workshops.
