Catalonia’s Forest Technology Centre has cited that the lack of rain, high temperatures and the wind have slowed down the growth of mushrooms in the Pyrenees. The centre’s mathematical models expect the yields to be lower than in previous years and long term forecasts predict a lack of rain in autumn, which will also cause the yield of mushrooms to be less than average.
Catalan Christmas tree growers have been greatly affected by the crisis, with an almost 50% sales drop in recent years. Growers hope that exporting Christmas trees to countries like France and Portugal will help them come out of the crisis.
Summer of 2010 will be one of the best in terms of surface burned by fires. Forest fires only burned 351 hectares thanks to great efforts in prevention and extinction. Catalonia has a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers. This year’s wet and snowy winter could have been fatal.
Studies show that mushroom production in the Catalan woods will be at great levels this season, between 55 and 70 kilos per hectare, way above average. Year after year, the end of summer heat is associated with the start of mushroom season, which will very likely be splendid, according to Catalonia’s Forest Technological Centre, thanks to the copious amount of rainfall throughout the year.
The March snowfall and a rainy spring have brought high-risk to forests throughout Catalonia. Both rural and metropolitan citizens are taking extra steps to prevent summer forest fires.
Catalan Home Affairs Minister calls for cooperation on all sides as fears rise of forest wreckage from March snowfalls