This document describes the Bosc comunal de Lavansa forest located in Catalonia, Spain. The forest, which covers 1015 hectares, has been managed as a common land by the Council of Lavansa-Fórnols for centuries. It provides timber, fuelwood, grazing land, and recreational activities for local residents. Main tree species include pine, oak, and boxwood. The forest supports a variety of wildlife and plants but faces challenges from erosion and pests due to its steep slopes and small local population.

1. Case of study in Catalonia.
Bosc comunal de Lavansa

2. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
Why this case of study?
The “comunal de Lavansa” is a very good exemple on the evolution of these
kind of common lands evolution in Catalan Pyrenees.
Its geographic situation, at the feet of Pyrenees range. It is a unknowed
part of those mountains.
The high quality of its environment and its conservation
The existing diferent tools for management (Management forest plan, agreement
with Catalan goverment for the works of the main part of the forest, etc.).
There is an historical relationship between the Council of Lavansa-Fórnols and
CTFC. Since the forest management plan was made by CTFC staff there is a
cooperation astmosfere between both.

3. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
Lavansa forest is located in
Catalonia, at Alt Urgell county,
In the south side of Pyrenees
range
This forest is arranged along the
Lavansa river valley. It is a very
fragmented forest, with
arable lands broking its continuity.
Only forest lands are inside the
ownership.

4. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
There are two well definited ecological and
landscape units:
North side:
-rocky soil,
-bush vegetation with no trees.

5. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
South side:
-deeper soil
-tree vegetation is well developed

6. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
Main tree species:
Pinus sylvestris,
P. nigra salzmannii,
Quesrcus ilex ballota,
Quercus cerrioides,
Q. faginea,
Q. Pubescens
Buxus sempervirens

7. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
Fauna:
presence of ungulates (chamois, roe deer
and wild boar).
Mountain and forest raptors (bearded
vulture, goshawk, buzzard,
Honey Buzzard, etc.).
Forest passerines (tits, crossbills, citril
finch, finch, etc.).
Forest mammals (marten, badger, dormouse
gray snow vole,) and bats.

8. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
Ownership
Lavansa-Fórnols Council. The forest is includedin the
relation of goods of the Lavansa-Fórnols Council.
Main profitable uses
Timber harvesting, It is carried out by the Council. No
benefit arrived directly to neighbourhood.
Lesser profitable uses
Some little extensive livestock activities are carried out
by some neighbours and it is allowed by the Council.
Fuel wood.is collected by neighbourhood after permition
of the Council.

9. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
Lesser profitable uses
Some little extensive livestock activities are carried out
by some neighbours and it is allowed by the Council.
Fuel wood.is collected by neighbourhood after permition
of the Council.
Hunting is regulated depending of the area by NHR or by
the local Hunting association. In first case the benefits are
arrived to the Council, but the area in NHR is very little
and benefits are proportionals to the afected area.
Fishing is regulated by the Goverment of Catalonia and
Managed by the local Fishing association.

10. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
Non-profitable uses
Recreative uses like hikking, mountain cycling,
picking mushrooms, etc. are promoted by the
Council as an turistic actraction.

11. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
Evolution
-1855. Selling of public properties promoted
by Spanish goverment. This forest was not afected
due to its comunal use.
-Since 1978, democratic councils have been
Configurated. Some of them toke a
representative rol and assume the ownership
and management of traditional common
forests.

12. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
Specifical problems
The village of Lavansa-Fórnols has just 188 habitants, so
the direct incomes are under the economical invest
required for the management of the 1015 ha. of this
common forest.
Erosion (due to high slope) and some forestal pests are the
main conservation problems detected in the area.
No loss biodiversity or surfrequentation problems are
detected.

13. Commons project. Identification of common lands. Palermo, november 2009
Thank you!