CREAF

Given the contemporary challenges of global change, a transition towards a sustainable economic system is more imperative than ever. The production of sufficient primary products must be assured with minimal environmental or social impacts and without altering ecosystem services. In this context, sustainable management of resources such as forests and water is key. On the one hand, forests provide renewable products while maintaining the landscape and harboring a wealth of natural biodiversity. They also provide resources shared by the public and sustain an invaluable rural community. On the other hand, water resources must be allocated for the demands of ecosystems, crops, and humans, and meanwhile the conservation of aquatic ecosystems must also be assured.

Research and innovation in this field can both influence and be supported by policies that promote the sustainable management of natural resources and the development of rural communities.

• Sustainable management of mediterranean forests. We have a network of centers for research, technology, economy, and social issues, as well as connections with governments; this network has been created with the objective of generating knowledge, promoting awareness, and applying best practices in sustainable management. 
• Sustainable water management. We analyze strategies for water management on the basin level, integrating environmental, economic, and social aspects, all the while taking into account the impacts of global change. 
• Biodiversity conservation. We model changes in land use and the environment in order to identify the most likely threats to and opportunities for biodiversity conservation.
• Essential nutrient budgets. Changes in carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen budgets affect biodiversity, climate and agriculture. We study how phosphorus scarcity in particular poses a threat to food security and we participate in the formulation of future scenarios and potential political measures which may improve its sustainable use.