The Pyrenees, one of the mountains most affected by climate change

The Pyrenees reflect in a more extreme way some of the effects of climate change because they are close to the Mediterranean, as explained to Efe by the biologist and ecologist of the Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF) and coordinator of the European scientific network on Nemor mountains,

On the occasion of the celebration, this Saturday, of

Claramunt, member of the Scientific Committee of the Pyrenean Observatory of Climate Change, affirms that he himself has been able to verify the effects of climate change in his expeditions through the Pyrenees, such as the

According to the biologist, the Pyrenees reflect "what will happen in other mountainous areas in a few years", since the consequences of climate change in this border range between France and Spain are more extreme as they are located in an area with a warmer climate.

"Climate change is recent, but we can already see the consequences it has on mountains and their biodiversity," he stresses.

On one of his trips to the glaciers of the

massif

located in the Natural Park of the Pyrenees in France, he was able to observe that the size of the glaciers "was getting smaller and smaller, with less thickness", and how every time they have " less presence in the Pyrenees ".

Claramunt certifies that the increase in global temperature has caused the decrease of glaciers, as well as a lower availability of water in mountain areas.

According to the expert, although the rainfall remains stable, the rise in temperatures causes the rainwater to "evaporate."

"In addition, the distribution of rainfall is different and, although it rains the same amount, there are more storms in specific areas and, consequently, landslides," he highlights.

Another consequence of the current increase in temperature is that the presence of snow in the mountains has decreased.

In fact, the

prepared by the Generalitat states that in the year 2050 the amount of snow can be reduced to half of what is currently found in mountain areas.

Claramunt remarks that these consequences of climate change have a direct effect on "the loss of biodiversity and the homogenization of ecosystems."

"The lack of snow and high temperatures cause the forest line to rise, that is, forests can be found in areas where previously there were only meadows," he says.

The mountain expert also points out that "in many cases the tree line changes because traditional livestock practices have been abandoned," which has caused disused farming areas to be occupied by these species.

In addition, the mountains are experiencing a socioeconomic change that, according to Claramunt, "the COVID pandemic has just consolidated."

"Mountain areas offer practically all ecosystem services, from tangible, such as wood or water, to intangible, such as leisure and clean air," he recalls.

That is why these areas are increasingly welcoming more people seeking an alternative to urban life, "which creates a greater demand for ecosystem services," he warns.

According to the

the intense human presence, the increase in temperatures and the lower availability of water accelerate "a new context in mountain areas, with new challenges."

In fact, Claramunt affirms that the approach of the Winter Games in the Pyrenees "can be an indicator of the model of the future that we want to promote" in the mountain range.

"With the Games, we are going to see if priority is given to making the Pyrenees a space dedicated to mass tourism based on winter sports or if, instead, they focus on exploiting the other riches they have," he concludes.

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