C4 : Crisis management

The forests of Haut-Languedoc are largely impacted by climate change, and episodes of crises (diebacks, health problems, storms) could multiply and intensify with its effects. At the level of the forest-wood sector, it is necessary to anticipate operational means to structure the actions to be taken in the event of a crisis, but also upstream to improve vigilance.

Summary

  • Main objective
  • Working axes
  • Focus on the reporting procedure
  • Contact

General objective: setting up an action plan to anticipate climate change crises

As part of the FORECCAsT project, an action plan has been developed that is both preventive, predictive and responsive.

The goal of this action plan is twofold:

  • prepare a potential crisis management by gathering the partners, reflecting on the possible situations and proposing an organization plan ready to be mobilized in the event of an exceptional event;
  • to provide the means to monitor crises on the ground through increased vigilance: upstream to assess the scale of the problems (trigger), and continuously to improve the system and the understanding of the phenomena.

The results of this process were presented on March 27, 2018 at the conference "Climate Risks and Collective Crisis Management"

They have been formalized in a guide entitled "Managing climate change-related crises in the Haut-Languedoc forest", written by Raphaël Bec, FORECCAsT project manager at CRPF Occitanie. This guide is available on request from the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park or CRPF Occitanie. It can also be freely downloaded by clicking on the link below.

Download the guid (French)

Working axes

Develop and promote anticipation tools

  • Estimate the risks for a stand
  • Rely on the network of DSF correspondents-observers
  • Consider new methods of alertness (reports, weather information)

Prepare crisis management

  • Organize an adapted crisis unit
  • Facilitate coordination, consultation and communication
  • Anticipating the means

Valuing feedback and experiences

  • Summary of the phenomena recorded in recent years and their level of risk
  • Recommendations for the main risks

Focus on the reporting procedure

During the summer of 2017, a collaborative system was set up to report drought markers in forest stands: reddening, mortality, falling leaves, falling needles. It is still a test phase for such a tool.

This type of report can be considered in a timely manner, to trace localized data. It allows the recording of field observations which, once analyzed, will lead to the level of vigilance. Every forester in the sector can then participate in the improvement of vigilance.

The notice to make reports is to read HERE. Feel free to test this procedure and send us your feedback!

Reminder: If there is any doubt or problem regarding the health status of forest stands, the Forest Health Department (DFS) correspondents-observers are your main contacts.

Contact

To follow this step or for more information, contact Raphaël BEC - CRPF Occitanie - raphael.bec@cnpf.fr