The Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications has prepared a map showing which forested areas in Spain need the most protection. These are the areas that store the most carbon which makes them important for cushioning the effects of global warming. Most of these forests are located in the north of the country in Cantabria, Navarre, Asturias, Galicia, the Pyrenees and the Basque country. There are also some forests in the interior that need priority protection, in Rioja, Andalusia and around Madrid.

Obviously, the more trees a forest has, the more carbon it can accumulate. This analysis has found that forests with the most biodiversity are more likely to grow abundantly. Having different types of trees means that they have different needs for sun, water and nutrition - and they draw on these resources at different times of the year. Because of this biodiversity there is less competition for these resources, which helps the forest to grow more abundantly.

On this map you can see the locations of the forests that are most valuable for their ability to retain carbon and host biodiversity.