Program to promote R&D activities Montesinho Natural Park

The valorization of the interior through knowledge from a sustainable development perspective requires scientific research and technological development that will allow each region to know its natural resources, namely its biological resources, which include forests and agricultural and agro-sylvo-pastoral systems, its natural and cultural heritage, and its socio-cultural dynamics within a framework of climatic evolution and potential biotic and abiotic risks, associating observation, experimentation, and monitoring references.

The Natural Park of Montesinho (PNM) represents a mountain area with unique characteristics because it is the last relief in the northeast of Portugal that still belongs to the Peninsular Northwest and borders the Meseta Ibérica. It has an unparalleled environmental wealth, being integrated in the Natura 2000 Network and in the United Nations Meseta Ibérica Biosphere Reserve.

In interface areas between distinct natural domains, as in this case of the Northwestern Peninsula and the Iberian Mediterranean plateau, biodiversity is enormous and facilitates privileged areas to monitor and deepen the study of climate change, as well as develop measures and mitigation actions in time. In the case of the PNM, the mountain system has a relevant influence on the regional climate as shown by the studies and monitoring work developed in recent decades mainly under the Iberian Mountain Research Network.

Having as a reference the promotion of R&D activities of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary scope to be held in the Natural Park of Montesinho, it is intended to make its projection into the future, developing new knowledge in various thematic areas, in a perspective of scientific and cultural multidisciplinarity, contributing to a new agenda for R&D of international scope about the Natural Park of Montesinho, and including:

1. Earth observation and knowledge, including the use of satellite information and its integration into advanced information processing and artificial intelligence systems;
2. Climate and climate change;
3. Sustainable agricultural systems, including agriculture, forestry and agroforestry systems, and the valorization of their products from a bioeconomy perspective;
4. Socio-cultural dynamics;
5. Biodiversity and biological resources, natural and cultural heritage, and sustainable regional development.

In this sense, it is determined the creation of a R&D Program for research in these thematic areas, in compliance with the Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 15/2020, March 27 , integrating the scientific valorization of the Natural Park of Montesinho and attracting research groups of international excellence to work in close cooperation with teams from Portuguese institutions.

Results

1st Edition

FCT has edited a brochure presenting theselected projects, which is available in digital format.