In the heart of the Sierra del Carche Regional Park, in the MurciaA very specific plan is being developed to ensure that the black pine Don't let it become a relic of the past. This species, scientifically known as Pinus nigraIt maintains in the shade of Pico de la Madama one of its last natural populations in the area, considered extremely fragile due to its extreme situation and its isolation from other similar pine forests on the peninsula.
La Ministry of EnvironmentThe Ministry of Universities, Research and the Mar Menor has launched a conservation and reinforcement project that will last 11 months and is part of a two-year investment. Its direct aim is to guarantee the persistence of the Corsican pine in the Sierra del Carche, improve the habitat condition of the Mediterranean pine forests endemic black pines and, ultimately, to increase the future prospects of one of the most unique and vulnerable forest areas in the Region of Murcia.
A relict enclave on the edge of its ecological optimum
The population of Corsican pine located in the shady side of Pico de la Madama It is considered a relict enclave: a small remnant of forest that has managed to survive despite the environmental and landscape changes that have occurred around it for centuries. It is located at the edge of its ecological optimum, meaning that the temperature, humidity, and soil conditions are already quite finely tuned for its development, and any further variation could disrupt the system.
This geographical and ecological situation is complicated by the rising temperatures associated with climate change. A warmer and drier environment increases water stress, reduces the capacity for natural regeneration, and makes specimens more vulnerable to other pressures, such as bark beetles or forest diseases.
Another key element is the competition with better adapted species to the new environmental conditions, such as Aleppo pine and the holm oak. These species, more drought-tolerant and with a more aggressive colonizing behavior, tend to occupy space, light, and water that the Corsican pine needs to survive. Without active management, the forest could gradually shift towards formations dominated by these species, relegating the Corsican pine to a merely symbolic presence.
To all this is added a higher incidence of pests and diseasesSmall, isolated populations, like the one in Carche, have less genetic diversity and, therefore, less room to adapt. This combination of threats justifies classifying the population as extremely fragile and prioritizing specific actions for its protection.
In this context, the Sierra del Carche has become a forest management laboratory where concrete measures are being tested to sustain an emblematic species, combining traditional silvicultural techniques with modern conservation criteria and adaptation to climate change in the Mediterranean environment.
A biennial project focused on active conservation
The recovery plan launched by the Regional Ministry began at the end of 2025 and will extend for much of the following year, with a work schedule of 11 months of continuous performancesThis is not an isolated intervention, but rather a further step within a conservation strategy that the regional administration has been developing for years in the Sierra del Carche.
This initiative is part of a biennial investment This project combines interventions on forest structure, population reinforcements, and measures to improve water and soil conditions. The main objective is very clear: to guarantee the continued presence of the Corsican pine in this area and prevent its decline, while simultaneously improving the conservation status of the Mediterranean pine forests of endemic black pines, listed as a habitat of community interest at the European level.
Within this general framework, previous work is continued, such as the planting carried out in 2021 The initial project, consisting of approximately 300 specimens from local germplasm, provided a first step towards increasing genetic diversity and strengthening the age structure of the forest. The new project builds upon this foundation and expands upon it, adopting a more holistic approach that combines both the improvement of existing trees and the introduction of new individuals.
The technical design of the plan opts for a active management of the pine forestThis moves away from the idea that mere passive protection is sufficient to safeguard such sensitive forest areas. In an environment subject to rapid change, the absence of intervention can, in practice, favor the most competitive species, to the detriment of those that require more specific conditions.
The entire set of measures is designed to ensure that the Corsican pine has More resources, less competition, and better conditions to regenerate. This combination of actions is considered essential for the population of Carche to maintain its viability in the medium and long term.
Silvicultural treatments on 8,5 hectares of north-facing land
One of the fundamental pillars of the project is the application of silvicultural improvement treatments over an area of approximately 8,5 hectares (around 8,52 ha) in the north-facing area of La Madama. These areas are where the main population of Corsican pine is concentrated, and where significant pressure from other species competing for light and water has been detected.
The planned actions include low clearings of Aleppo pineThese measures reduce the density of this species and free up space for the Corsican pine to develop more freely. The decrease in competition influences both the availability of water in the soil and the amount of sunlight reaching the tree canopies, two essential factors in a context of increasing aridity.
Alongside these clear ones, the following can be seen oak resproutsThese measures involve selecting and reducing the number of shoots or suckers of this species to prevent it from forming an overly dense mass in the understory. The aim is to prevent the tree layer dominated by Corsican pine from being smothered by excessive oak cover, which could otherwise limit the regeneration and growth of young trees.
The project also incorporates police cuttings and pruning work on the existing Corsican pines. These interventions serve to remove dead or poorly oriented branches, improve the crown structure, reduce the risk of wind or snow damage, and, in general, promote the vitality of each tree. This type of silviculture contributes to stronger specimens with a greater capacity to withstand pests and extreme weather events.
Taken together, the goal of all these treatments is to configure a a more balanced and functional forestwhere the Corsican pine regains prominence and can compete more effectively against other species. By reducing pressure on available resources, the chances of natural regeneration increase and the likelihood of further population decline decreases.
Population reinforcement with 339 new specimens
In addition to improving the structure of the existing forest, the project includes a significant population reinforcement through the planting of 339 new Corsican pine trees. These trees come from local germplasm collected in previous years in the Sierra del Carche itself, which guarantees adequate genetic adaptation to the environmental conditions of the area.
The use of local reproduction material is not a minor detail: it allows maintaining the unique genetic characteristics of this relict population and avoids introducing variants that may not be well adapted to the climate, soil, or ecological dynamics of the site. In this way, the resilience of the whole is reinforced, while preserving its uniqueness.
To increase the chances of success for these plantations, the following have been planned scheduled maintenance irrigation at least until the middle of next year. In increasingly dry Mediterranean areas, the first years of a seedling's life are critical, and supplemental watering makes the difference between failure and a good survival rate.
The addition of these 339 individuals complements other selective reforestation efforts carried out in previous years, such as the aforementioned planting of 300 trees in 2021, thus creating a more diverse age structure within the pine forest. Having young, growing, and adult specimens provides demographic stability and a greater capacity to respond to adverse events.
In the long term, this population reinforcement aims to ensure that Corsican pine population gains critical mass and stop being so close to the viability threshold. A larger number of healthy, well-distributed specimens reduces the risk that a single event, such as a severe plague or fire, could seriously compromise the species' continuity in this area.
Germplasm and Wild Flora Conservation Bank
Another highlight of the project is the germplasm collection of Corsican pine, with a planned target of approximately 20 kilos of reproductive material. This germplasm will be sent to the Germplasm Bank of the Center for the Conservation of Wild Flora of the Autonomous Community, where it will be stored and managed according to long-term conservation criteria.
The existence of a conservation bank This type of resource provides important support against potential contingencies that could affect the natural population. Having properly characterized and preserved seeds facilitates both new plantings and the recovery of the pine forest should a particularly severe event occur that reduces the forest cover.
Germplasm collection is carried out following specific technical protocols To ensure that the material adequately represents the genetic variability of the population, it's not just about collecting seeds, but about making sure they come from trees with different characteristics and locations, avoiding concentrating the sampling on just a few specimens.
This work complements silvicultural actions and reforestation, as it provides a “genetic reserve” available for future interventions, both in the Sierra del Carche and, if necessary, in other nearby protected areas where the presence of the local Corsican pine is to be promoted.
In terms of conservation at a regional and European scale, having a well-documented germplasm from this relict enclave helps to improve the scientific knowledge and responsiveness in the face of global change scenarios, in line with the European Union's biodiversity conservation strategies.
Water, soil and erosion control improvements
The project is not limited to acting on the trees, but also incorporates direct measures on the water and soiltwo fundamental pillars for the stability of any Mediterranean forest ecosystemAmong these actions, the construction of two stands out. albarradas at strategic points on the hillside.
Barriers are small transverse structures placed in riverbeds or on hillsides to to promote water infiltration and retention on the ground. By slowing down surface runoff during episodes of heavy rain, they allow a greater proportion of the water to remain in the soil and not be lost quickly downslope.
This type of work contributes to reduce erosionStabilizing slopes and preventing the loss of fertile soil is especially important in areas with steep inclines and fragile soils. In the medium term, soil with better structure and higher moisture content translates into better conditions for the regeneration of the Corsican pine and other accompanying species.
The creation of these small infrastructures also helps to shape more favorable microhabitats for seed germination and seedling establishment. As more moisture and fine sediments accumulate behind the stone walls, areas are created where young plants find a less hostile environment for their early stages of development.
Taken together, the hydrological and soil measures are integrated with the other actions to build a more stable scenario From an ecological point of view, the Corsican pine will have an adequate physical base to expand and consolidate itself in the coming decades.
Funding, timeline and institutional commitment
The recovery plan for the Corsican pine in the Sierra del Carche includes a total investment of 37.000 eurosOf this amount, 60% comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), while the remaining 40% is financed with the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia's own resources.
The participation of SPRING This reinforces the European character of these types of interventions, linked to the protection of habitats of community interest and the improvement of ecosystem resilience to climate change. Co-financing allows for very specific projects, such as this one on the Corsican pine in El Carche, which might not be viable with regional funding alone.
As for the schedule, the performances are concentrated in a period of 11 months of effective implementationThe project, which began in late 2025 and continued for much of the following year, provides ample time to schedule forestry work, planting, supplemental irrigation, and the construction of retaining walls without excessively interfering with the natural dynamics of the forest.
With this project, the regional government underlines its commitment to the protection of biodiversity and the active management of protected natural areas. The Sierra del Carche, due to its unique forests and ecological value, is a priority area in the conservation policies of the Region of Murcia.
Beyond the figures, the plan reflects a commitment to a long-term vision of natural heritage, in which it is not taken for granted that emblematic species such as the Corsican pine will maintain themselves on their own. The approach focuses on supporting and facilitating natural processes, combining technical knowledge, European funding, and a continuous administrative presence on the ground.
All these actions in the Sierra del Carche paint a picture in which the Corsican pine gains future options Thanks to a combination of improvement forestry, population reinforcements, germplasm conservation and actions on water and soil, an approach that can serve as a reference for other Mediterranean enclaves where unique forest species are also at the limit.
