Mediterranean Forest Health in a Global Climate Change Scenario

2026-07-22

Forests in the Mediterranean Basin are facing huge existential threats from climate change exacerbating the effects of pests, pathogens, fire and other abiotic factors on these crucially important ecosystems. Policies encapsulated in EU and other state laws, arising from global international agreements drawn up during wide-ranging debates on climate change (ICCP) and biodiversity losses (CBD), emphasize these threats posed to earth systems by climate change. The overall aim of the FORCLIMED project, therefore, is to design a two-year Masters programme focusing on development of a broad understanding of the disturbance factors impacting negatively on Forest Ecosystems in Mediterranean Climates during Rapid Climate Change, on methods that may be implemented to manage and mitigate these impacts, including strategies and techniques tailored specifically to the protection and restoration of Mediterranean forests. FORCLIMED includes a partnership of three universities in the EU and two in associated partner states, each with recognized expertise in aspects of the programme components. The project is coordinated by Isparta Uygulumari Bilimler Üniversitesi (Türkiye), with significant inputs from Univeridade Aveiro (Portugal), SS Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (Makedonia), Università degli Studi di Catania (Italy) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU, Alnarp). All partners have strong expertise in aspects of the work planned here and in responses of forest ecosystems to climate change. This core group includes under-represented states, but in the planning, we will recruit other partners and associates from a range of other states to expand the expertise available to provide inputs to the programme. In face-to-face workshops and online meetings (as required), the partners will design an integrated, interdisciplinary and transnational Joint Masters Degree programme on Managing Mediterranean Forest Health During Rapid Climate Change. Details to be decided include individual course modules available and additional ones required, assessment methods, mechanisms to ensure equivalent qualities of the education across institutions, a standardised approach to recruitment and methods for accreditation, as well as providing plans for students to receive appropriate help with visas and accommodation and language training, as required. Joint protocols established and agreed during the design measure project will be used to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by all partner institutions. The proposed Masters programme will provide high level, intensive education for excellent postgraduate students recruited globally, meeting ISCED Level 7 attainment requirements. Within the objectives of ERASMUS MUNDUS, FORCLIMED will emphasize to the selected students the importance of collaborative research and resulting policies of the EU and associated countries in the fight against the negative impacts of climate change on the environment, preparing them for careers related to mitigation and alleviation of this existential crisis and in particular to restoration of Mediterranean forests in the dramatically changing climate scenario.

Turkey

2025-10-01