Blanca Martí de Ahumada’s illustrations bring the flora, fauna and forest management of this Pyrenean habitat closer to the public as part of the European LIFE UNCINATA* project
The headquarters of Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park in Bagà is hosting an exhibition dedicated to the biodiversity of black pine (Pinus uncinata) forests until 14 September. The exhibition features a collection of illustrations created by renowned scientific and nature illustrator Blanca Martí de Ahumada, commissioned by the project.
The exhibition is part of the outreach and awareness-raising activities of the project, which aims to conserve and restore black pine forests growing on calcareous substrates in the Pyrenees. Through a rigorous yet accessible visual language, the initiative seeks to highlight the ecological value of these subalpine ecosystems and showcase some of the conservation actions being carried out.
A Visual Journey Through High-Mountain Biodiversity
Blanca Martí’s illustrations guide visitors through the main organisms inhabiting black pine forests and reveal the adaptations that allow them to thrive in high-mountain environments.
The exhibition features plant species such as black pine itself and bearberry, as well as some of the most emblematic animals of these habitats, including the Pyrenean chamois, stoat, capercaillie and Boreal Owl.
Special attention is also given to organisms that are less familiar to the general public but play a crucial role in forest ecosystem functioning. Among them are saproxylic beetles, many species of which depend on dead and decaying wood. Their inclusion helps explain that deadwood is not simply a residual forest element but an essential resource for numerous organisms.
In this way, the illustrations broaden our understanding of forest biodiversity and reveal ecological relationships that often go unnoticed.
Illustrations Explaining Forest Management
In addition to presenting the flora and fauna of black pine forests, the exhibition highlights the main actions undertaken by the project.
Several illustrated panels explain, in an accessible way, complex processes related to multifunctional forest management and the promotion of natural forest dynamics. These visual resources help visitors better understand such concepts and make the project’s goals and actions easier to grasp.
The exhibition combines the precision of scientific illustration with a strong educational purpose. Art becomes a tool for interpreting landscapes, discovering mountain biodiversity, and understanding the ecological processes that support the conservation of Pyrenean forests.
A Travelling Exhibition
Following its stay at the headquarters of Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, the exhibition is intended to become a travelling display. It is expected to tour various municipalities and natural areas linked to the LIFE UNCINATA* project, bringing its content to new audiences.
This travelling format will help continue the project’s awareness-raising efforts and strengthen public understanding of the value of black pine forests, the biodiversity they host, and the importance of their conservation and restoration.
