UAB students awarded the Campus Muntanya d'Alinyà Prize
A research project focusing on the relationship between forest management and the western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), which has been diminishing in population around the world in the past few decades, conducted by two UAB students of Environmental Science has been awarded the prize.
The winners were given the award of this second edition on 27 September at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB). The winning project was conducted by students Alba Bofill and Guillem Guasch, under the supervision of Dr Roser Maneja, Dr Josep Antoni Pujantell, Dr David Molina and Dr Eduard Ariza. The project is entitled “Anàlisi de la interacció entre la gestió forestal i el gall fer (Tetrao urogallus) a la vall d’Alinyà” [Analysis of the Interaction Between Forest Management and the Western Capercaillie] and has allowed students to identify some of the socio-environmental factors limiting this species, such as climate change, human presence, and even the overpopulation of one of its predators.
The event included the presence of Javier Lafuente, Vice Rector for Innovation and Strategic Projects of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Antoni Méndez, Dean of the Faculty of Science; Xavier Gabarrell, Director of the ICTA-UAB, and Miquel Rafa, Director of Environment and Regions of the Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera.
Since the first collaborations began in 2012, over 500 students have participated in the Campus d'Alinyà and produced more than 50 final degree projects, master's degree stays and practical assignments. This has turned the natural protected area of the Alt Urgell region into an ideal place in which to conduct research and practical activities in fields related to the environment and natural sciences, from both the scientific and humanistic perspective.
The prize is awarded every two years and consists in one first cash prize of 2,000 euros and two runner-up projects. In this second edition of the prize, 32 students participated with a total of 10 final degree projects from the 2016-2018 period of the Campus d'Alinyà. They were evaluated according to the their scientific quality, relevance, applicability and innovation.
Winners
“Anàlisi de la interacció entre la gestió forestal i el gall fer (Tetrao urogallus) a la vall d’Alinyà”
(2016/17 academic year)
Authors: Alba Bofill and Guillem Guasch
Supervisors: Roser Maneja, Josep Antoni Pujantell, David Molina and Eduard Ariza
Finalists
“Anàlisi de la petjada de carboni generada per la presència i absència de PAS destinats als voltors a la Muntanya d’Alinyà” [Analysis of the Carbon Footprint Generated by the Presence and Absence of Additional Feeding Points for Vultures in the Aliny'a Mountain]
(2017/18 academic year)
Authors: Sergi Chapatte, Eric Juaranz, Judit Piella, Marçal Pou, Aniol Puig
Supervisors: Quim Zaldo, Jordi Nadal and Martí Boada
“Bioindicadors fluvials: poblacions de vertebrats a la vall d’Alinyà” [River Bioindicators: Vertebrate Populations of the Alinyà Valley]
(2017/18 academic year)
Authors: Mariona Gonzalez, Alba Gorlat, Ester Monsonis, Marta Sánchez-Ballesteros
Supervisors: Almudena Hierro, David Molina, Josep Pujantell