RESINADAPT Operational Group: An adaptive resin extraction: resin tapping in the face of climate change and the new resin tappers

Outcome 1: A network of field trials against drought will be established, consisting of eight experimental plots in different territories and climatic gradients. These plots will systematically measure resin production, tree health, and meteorological variables. Weather stations will be installed or linked, and local resin tappers will be involved using common data collection protocols. Existing historical production and climate data will also be integrated. In practice, this outcome will provide real and comparable data to identify drought thresholds, anticipate production losses, and adjust harvesting decisions (start, intensity, or cessation) based on technical rather than purely empirical evidence.

Result 2. Profitable extraction models adapted to the territory. Main result: clear yield tables (kg/h), comparison between traditional and mechanized methods, cost analysis according to campaign duration, paste type, and selling prices, including options such as certification or group sales. Practical recommendation and value for the resin tapper: professionals will be able to choose the most profitable work system according to their area and climatic conditions. They will know how much they need to produce per hour to cover costs and which technical combination maximizes profit margin. This opens up opportunities to modernize the operation, justify investments in mechanization, and improve commercial negotiations. Applying these results means making business decisions based on real numbers, increasing productivity, and reducing improvisation.

Result 3. Vulnerability maps and production forecasting. Main result: development of maps indicating the level of water stress in the pine forest and its impact on resin production, with short- and medium-term forecasts. Practical recommendation and value for resin tappers or managers: this will allow them to anticipate production declines and concentrate their work in more favorable areas. Stands with a high risk of decline can be identified, and extraction intensity adjusted accordingly. This improves work time efficiency, reduces unnecessary travel, and avoids harvesting trees at critical times. Implementing these tools means planning the harvest season with up-to-date information, optimizing resources, and ensuring production stability in climate change scenarios.

Result 4. Digital Applications and a Catalog of Harvesting Routes. Main result: creation of a catalog of resin tapping models adapted to each region and development of two apps: one for start/stop alerts based on profitability and water stress, and another for logistics and traceability. Practical recommendation and value for the user: resin tappers will receive clear alerts about when to start, space out, or stop the activity, reducing losses. They will also be able to improve work organization, crew management, and production tracking. This professionalizes the activity, enhances the industry's image, and facilitates certifications. Implementing these tools saves time, reduces errors, and increases competitiveness through digitalization, bringing resin tapping closer to modern business models.

Outcome 5. Integration into regulations and public management. Main outcome: direct work with administrations and managers to incorporate climate adaptation criteria and new resin tapping models into regulations and forestry plans. Practical recommendation and value for the sector: it will provide greater legal certainty and clearer rules, adapted to current production realities. Resin tappers will have regulatory frameworks that recognize new techniques and adjust schedules to actual climatic conditions. This facilitates investment, reduces administrative uncertainty, and improves access to subsidies. Implementing these outcomes strengthens the sector's position with the administration and contributes to a more stable and favorable environment for resin tapping businesses.

Result 6. Direct transfer and improvement with the resin tappers themselves. Main result: conducting interviews and practical workshops with associations and self-employed individuals to adapt and improve the developed tools according to real needs. Practical recommendation and value for the professional: the solutions will not be theoretical, but rather tailored to specific field problems. The resin tapper will be able to influence the design of applications and models, increasing their usefulness and ease of use. This promotes real adoption, improves extraction techniques, and facilitates the incorporation of young or new profiles by providing clearer and more structured tools. Implementing these results means working with greater technical support, reducing trial and error, and strengthening the professional network of the sector.

Design and implementation of the project's Communication, Dissemination, and Results Transfer Plan, as a consensus-based, editable, and operational document for all partners. This includes defining objectives, target audiences, a timeline, tools, a style guide, milestones, and internal goals. It also encompasses the creation of the corporate identity, the development of the website integrated into the National Observatory of Natural Resins platform, and the creation of social media profiles.

Active implementation of the Communication Plan through continuous website and social media updates, regular content dissemination, organization of a launch event, and conducting interviews, debates, and talks with key stakeholders in the resin, forestry, and related sectors. It targets a broad audience connected to the resin industry (companies, resin tappers, students, government agencies, forest owners, industry, and the general public).

Development of participatory activities to present the management tools generated in the project to administrations and resin tapping associations. This includes open workshops (at least one per participating autonomous community), direct communication with project technical representatives, and dissemination through press releases (at least one per autonomous community). Primarily aimed at professionals in the resin forestry sector, managers, and technicians.

Organization of the project's final event to publicly present the results achieved. This includes pre- and post-event dissemination activities: press releases (at least one per Autonomous Community), production of short videos highlighting the main results, and static infographics for each project outcome. Targeted at all stakeholders in the resin, forestry, and industrial sectors, as well as the general public.