CORKADAPT Operational Group: Modernization and adaptation of the productive management of cork oak forests through digitization and the application of new technologies

R1.O1: High-resolution mapping of cork oak stands in Spain. A high-resolution, homogeneous, and up-to-date map of cork oak stands in Spain will be generated, accurately differentiating between pure and mixed stands. This will be achieved by integrating field data, satellite imagery (e.g., Sentinel-2), and LiDAR, applying machine learning algorithms to classify and characterize structural and silvicultural variables relevant to management. The result will provide a solid technical and cartographic basis for planning interventions, improving decision-making, and supporting adaptive forest policies, and will also be integrated into an interactive map viewer.

R2O1: Improve knowledge and cartographic information of Spanish cork oak forests through the use of new technologies. Key factors determining cork quality will be identified, and areas with the greatest potential for producing high-quality cork—a central element for the sector's competitiveness—will be spatially identified. The result will be constructed by combining field data on quality (using a standardized protocol and sampling campaigns in representative pilot areas), environmental and climatic variables (soil, orientation, water regime, etc.), and structural variables derived from PNOA LiDAR. Multivariate statistical analysis and spatial modeling will yield predictive models and, as a final product, a map of the productive potential of high-quality cork. This map will guide management planning, prioritize actions, and inform industry investments toward differentiated and more efficient management practices.

R3.O2. Develop dynamic monitoring tools to optimize production management and track the health status of cork oak forests. This result develops a decision support system for planning cork harvesting based on the trees' water status, relating it to the quality and feasibility of the operation. Field sensors measuring soil and xylem moisture will be combined with time-series analysis of satellite images (Sentinel-2) and moisture-sensitive indices (e.g., NDMI, DWSI, NMDI), as well as climate data, to generate operational maps of water stress and its evolution. Based on this, a predictive algorithm will be designed and field-validated to recommend optimal harvesting windows at local and regional scales, maximizing cork quality, minimizing tree damage, and improving yield, especially in the face of more frequent and intense droughts.

R4.O2: Develop dynamic monitoring tools to optimize the productive management and health status of cork oak forests. This outcome involves designing and validating a comprehensive system for monitoring the health status of cork oak forests to detect early signs of decline (dieback), pests, and diseases, and to anticipate risks before irreversible damage occurs. Multi-temporal Sentinel-2 data series and vigor/stress indices (e.g., NDVI, PSRI, Red Edge, and SWIR) will be integrated with historical records and information from field campaigns in pilot areas, using standardized protocols, georeferencing, and photographic documentation. Through modeling and classification, "normal" spectral trajectories and adaptive thresholds for deviation/persistence will be defined, generating operational alert indicators and maps, and facilitating preventive and adaptive management by managers and administrations.

R5.O3: Transfer the knowledge generated to the main actors in the cork value chain. This outcome involves the development of an interactive digital tool in the form of a web-based map viewer to consult, visualize, and utilize the spatial products generated by the project. The viewer will integrate key layers such as the distribution and typology of cork oak stands, maps of the productive potential for quality cork, water stress levels, and health risk maps, facilitating its operational use by public and private managers. It will include visualization, query, download, and interoperability functionalities, as well as filters by variables (zone/date) and the generation of customized reports. Development will be carried out with usability, accessibility, and mobile compatibility criteria, incorporating a spatial database and a testing process with users in the sector to ensure reliability and practical utility, democratizing access to technical information and improving decision-making.

R6. O3: Transfer the knowledge generated to the main actors in the cork value chain. This result consists of developing a technical guide with practical recommendations for adaptive cork oak forest management, based on the data, analyses, and validations generated in CorkAdapt. It will include criteria for prioritizing intervention areas, cork harvesting recommendations according to water status, preventative strategies against decline/dieback, and silvicultural planning proposals aimed at improving cork quality, also incorporating guidelines on tree health and production zoning. The guide will be based on a review of the state of the art (manuals, regulations, and best practices) and will be structured to facilitate its use by landowners, technicians, managers, and the industry. It will be validated with key stakeholders in the sector to ensure applicability and usefulness.

RD1: Production of graphic materials for communication and dissemination activities. During the first phase of the project, the key elements of GO CorkAdapt's visual identity and public presence will be developed to ensure professional, consistent communication adapted to different channels and audiences. This includes: (1) the design of the Communication Plan, which will define objectives, target audiences, tools, timeline, and style; (2) the development and launch of the corporate website with information about the project, partners, timeline, news, and access to results; and (3) the creation of presentation materials (institutional digital brochure, roll-up banner, posters, and visual resources) for conferences, meetings, trade fairs, and events. These materials are aimed at the consortium and external stakeholders (the cork industry, government agencies, media, and the general public), with national reach and an emphasis on Catalonia, Andalusia, Extremadura, and Castile and León, in both digital and print formats.

RD2: Dissemination and promotion of project activities and results through digital and in-person channels. This outcome aims to ensure the continuous visibility of CorkAdapt throughout its implementation, communicating progress, milestones, and results to the various target audiences. This includes the active management of content on the website and social media, the writing and distribution of email newsletters, the preparation of press releases and informative articles in specialized agroforestry media, as well as participation in industry events with promotional materials for the project. The strategy will combine technical and informative communication, adapting the language according to the audience profile (managers, industry, government agencies, or civil society), reinforcing the effective transfer of knowledge and positioning the GO as a leader in cork innovation.

RD3: Organization of dissemination and knowledge transfer workshops in different autonomous communities. This outcome includes the planning and holding of technical workshops and in-person events aimed at forest managers, landowners, the cork industry, government agencies, and innovation stakeholders. Presentation sessions of the Operational Group and intermediate and final dissemination workshops will be organized in communities with significant cork production (such as Catalonia, Andalusia, Extremadura, and Castile and León), where technical advances, developed tools (mapping, algorithms, web viewer), and management recommendations will be presented. The workshops will combine technical presentations, practical demonstrations, and discussion forums, fostering active participation and the exchange of experiences. This outcome strengthens direct knowledge transfer, the social validation of the products, and the replicability of the results in other regions.

RD4: Evaluation of the scope and impact of the project's communication and dissemination. This outcome aims to systematically measure the effectiveness of the communication and knowledge transfer activities developed in RD1–RD3. Quantitative and qualitative indicators will be defined (website visits, material downloads, social media reach, participation in workshops, coverage in specialized media, satisfaction surveys, and tool adoption rates), as well as mechanisms for periodic monitoring. The analysis will identify strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities to reinforce the communication strategy, ensuring adaptive and results-oriented communication. RD4 will ensure that the products generated by CorkAdapt effectively reach the target audiences and that the knowledge transfer has a real impact on cork oak forest management and the cork value chain.