Climate Change Impact on Environmental Variability in the Forest

This book discusses the impact of climate change on rural forest areas. It analyses data provided by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) to not only demonstrate that climate change has occurred in Portuguese forests, but also to suggest how forestry practices can be adapted to minimise its effects. 

In turn, the book distils data collected over several years into a comprehensive and coherent review of the ways in which the climate has changed in Portugal. It addresses the changes in rainfall, temperatures, and climatic anomalies, and how these changes correlate with effects such as rural forest fires. 

Though the text chiefly focuses on Portugal, the tools implemented are easily transferable to other countries and regions, making it relevant to readers around the globe. The book offers a valuable asset for students, researchers, foresters and those working at environmental (research) institutions. 

Leonel Jorge Ribeiro Nunes holds a degree in Geology (Scientific Branch) from the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra, in Geology (Territorial Planning Branch) by the School of Sciences of the University of Minho, and a degree in Engineering Sciences - Mining Engineering and Geoenvironment by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. He holds a Master Degree in Hydraulics and Water Resources from Instituto Superior Técnico of the University of Lisbon and in Geological Engineering from the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University NOVA of Lisbon. He holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering and Management from the University of Beira Interior. He holds a post-doctorate in Industrial Engineering and Management from the University of Beira Interior and another from the University of Aveiro. Currently attends a second PhD in Agrarian and Environmental Sciences at the University of Évora,  a post-doctorate in Management at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra and prepares his Aggregation tests (Full Habilitation) in Engineering and Industrial Management. He has a professional career of more than 20 years in industry, mainly in the extractive industry and renewable energies. He is the author or co-author of dozens of publications, and has been the adviser or co-supervisor of several master's and doctoral thesis/dissertations. 

Catarina Isabel Rodrigues Meireles holds a degree in Biology and a PhD in Geobotany, specializing in plant ecology and GIS. It has been working in conservation since 1998, especially with rare or classified flora and habitats. She is currently headquartered at the University of Évora, where she is a guest researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (ICAAM). She is the LIFE-RELICT project manager and collaborator in several national species and habitat conservation projects, including the Red List of Vascular Flora of Continental Portugal, the RN2000 Habitat Cartography, the Special Conservation Zone Management Plans and the Report. National Implementation Network of Natura 2000 in Portugal.

Carlos José Pinto Gomes is Assistant Professor with Aggregation (Environmental Sciences - Vegetation Ecology) at the School of Science and Technology of the University of Évora. Deputy Director of the School of Science and Technology (since January 2013). Researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (ICAAM) and collaborator of the Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), integrating several international research groups, such as PROMUEVE, UIC, among others. Has taught for over 34 years a wide range of Curricular Units in various national and international universities, ranging from Ecology to Landscape. Participated and coordinated several research projects related to the conservation and management of Habitats and Species, whose financial support was approved by the Commission of the European Communities, such as LIFE-Relict..

Nuno Manuel Cabral de Almeida Ribeiro is a Researcher at the Institute for Mediterranean Agrarian Sciences (ICAAM) and professor at the University of Évora, Portugal (Department of Crop Science). He has conducted research on tree growth and yield modeling, mainly in pure and mixed cork oak stands. He has been enrolled in the development of single tree spatial growth simulators for cork oak (CORKFITS), for stone pine (PINEAFITS) and is currently developing an ecological based decision support system (ECCORK) for aid in management decisions for cork oak stands.