The MARGISTAR project, a COST Action (CA21125), held its first training school titled “Track Socio-ecological Traps in European Mountains: Understanding, Envisioning & Diagnosing” in Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal.

From June 11 to 13, 2024, 20 participants from across Europe, representing the European Union in Portugal for Research and Innovation, and local stakeholders (Municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, co-management of Peneda-Gerês National Park, ADERE Peneda Gerês, Association of Baldios, ICNF, Interpretation Centre of Sistelo, Parish of Gavieira, and Soalheiro) worked together to identify socio-ecological barriers and solutions for the development of mountain territories undergoing profound global changes.

The training also emphasised the use of diagnostic methodologies for anticipating socio-ecological barriers (digitalisation, ecosystem service modelling, and terrestrial observation). The training school was supported by a good balance between conceptual sessions and practical fieldwork at the Branda Científica de São Bento do Cando.

The Training School was organised by CEG/IGOT-ULisboa (António T. Monteiro) and received support from the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Eng. Elisa Ferreira, the European Union Representation in Portugal for Research and Innovation (Eng. Carlos Morais Pires), the Municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, the Association for Local Development ADERE-Peneda Gerês, and Soalheiro.