Catalonia · Spain
Knowledge and monitoring for a territory of high ecological value.
Montseny is one of the most biodiverse landscapes in Europe. Even so, it needs restoration.
Project details
- Territory
- Montseny Massif, Catalonia
- Protection designations
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Natura 2000 network - EMFF's role
- Nature Integrity Method™ reference site
- Status
- Ongoing · Field campaigns since 2026
The Challenge
Biodiversity loss is not always dramatic.
Sometimes it is invisible.
Fewer pollinators. Less connectivity. Simpler ecosystems.
Montseny is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and part of the Natura 2000 network, but it has not been immune to habitat degradation, land-use change and climate pressure.
Ecological value is not the same as ecological integrity. A landscape can host remarkable biodiversity while having lost resilience, connectivity and the capacity to adapt to change.
Protecting is no longer enough: restoring has become just as urgent.
Fieldwork
The intervention
Measuring results against the ecosystem's true potential.
We work in Montseny as the reference site for the Nature Integrity Method™.
This means comparing the forest’s condition not with a generic average, but with what that specific ecosystem could become if it regained its integrity. The baseline is measured, not estimated.
- Ecological habitat characterization and context-specific indicator selection
- Georeferenced, repeatable field sampling
- Acoustic wildlife monitoring
- Environmental DNA in soil and water
- Satellite imagery analysis and land cover change
- Independent verification of reported results
Video
Montseny, told from the ground.
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