- The SMART Global Ecosystems Chair is promoted by the University of Valladolid (UVa) and the company SNGULAR.
- It provides a boost to the DataForest master’s programme (Palencia Campus), which stands as a benchmark for the digital transition of a key element of the ecological transition: the natural environment.
- An initiative that supports the ecological transition and the care of the natural environment in order to create a sustainable setting in which technology helps new generations learn in a practical way while being aware of the importance of caring for our planet.
The specific objectives of SMART Global Ecosystems are:
- Promote training in the fields of artificial intelligence and data science applied to the natural environment.
- Investigate ecosystem problems and propose solutions through artificial intelligence and large-scale data analysis.
- Promote sustainability through the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and large-scale data analysis.
- Reduce the gender gap in digitalisation and in STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
- Expand the use of AI in sectors where its implementation is not yet fully established.
The SMART Ecosystems Research Group (GIR) is part of iuFOR, the University Institute for Research in Sustainable Forest Management of the University of Valladolid. With more than 50 researchers in Palencia, Soria and Valladolid, iuFOR is a leading reference in forest science, sustainable ecosystem management and knowledge transfer to the sector.
- The Consolidated Research Unit (UIC) of Castilla y León, UIC 311, has a shared research track record that demonstrates stable and sustained scientific collaboration among its members from iuFOR – University of Valladolid, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Agresta Sociedad Cooperativa.
- This cooperation between researchers from a public university, public research bodies and a technology company is realised through coordinated activity in scientific publications, participation in competitive projects and doctoral training.
- During the most recent evaluated period (2023 to 2025), UIC members jointly published 66 articles in international scientific journals, of which 81.81% are in the first quartile (Q1) of the field of Forestry, reflecting the quality, visibility and impact of the group’s scientific output.
- In the area of research projects, the UIC has jointly led and participated in 28 competitive projects, including 9 European, 5 national and 9 regional projects, as well as projects linked to knowledge transfer and agreements with companies and institutions. Of particular note is the joint leadership of a coordinated project, Integrated Forest Management along Complexity Gradients (IMFLEX), funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2021-126275OB-C21 and C22, 2022–2025).
- Likewise, collaboration among UIC members is reflected in the co-supervision of doctoral theses, with two theses completed at the University of Valladolid during the evaluated period, actively contributing to the training of new researchers.
Participants: Felipe Bravo (coordinator, iuFOR UVa), Miren del Río (ICIFOR CSIC), Celia Herrero (iuFOR UVa), Andrés Bravo (MNCN CSIC), Cristóbal Ordóñez (iuFOR UVa), Jorge Olivar (AGRESTA S. Coop, iuFOR UVa), Ricardo Ruiz-Peinado (ICIFOR CSIC), Irene Ruano (AGRESTA S. Coop, iuFOR UVa)
Status: Active (6 years of recognised joint work)
Creation: 28 February 2020
Renewal: 28 February 2023 and 25 February 2026
UIC track record (for the most up-to-date results, see the research outputs of the group’s researchers)
- Since July 2022, the senior researchers of this research group (GIR) have participated in the associated unit (AU) for R&D&I called “Sustainable Forest Management”, associated with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) through the Institute of Forest Sciences (ICIFOR) and the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN).
- The associated unit aims to generate new knowledge in the field of sustainable forest management through a multidisciplinary scientific base, deliver high-quality teaching and transfer this knowledge to society.
- The members of the associated unit include teaching staff and research personnel from the University of Valladolid (Palencia and Soria campuses), from ICIFOR and from the MNCN of the CSIC. This collaboration is expected to increase critical mass and scientific impact, promoting multidisciplinarity and training capacity, and optimising research infrastructures and resources.
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Full Professor Felipe Bravo Oviedo of the University of Valladolid is coordinator of the Working Parties “4.01.02 Growth models for tree and stand simulation” and “4.02.03 Forest inventory on successive occasions” within IUFRO.
- Full Professor Felipe Bravo Oviedo, a member of the SMART Ecosystems research group (GIR) and of iuFOR, is a member of the Board of the European Forest Institute (EFI). This Board is made up of members of recognised competence in the fields of activity of this international organisation. The Full Professor of the University of Valladolid was appointed on 18 September 2023 for the 2024-2027 term during the annual conference held in Bonn (Germany).
IN-SYLVA Europe (Research Infrastructure for Forest Ecosystem Adaptation to Global Changes and Open Research Capacity Enhancement Network) has been selected as one of the new research infrastructures to be incorporated into the ESFRI Roadmap 2026. The University Institute for Research in Sustainable Forest Management (iuFOR) takes part in this initiative through the leadership of the Recognised Research Group (GIR) SMART Ecosystems. IN-SYLVA Europe is a thematic research infrastructure aimed at advancing research on the adaptation of forest ecosystems to global change. Its approach integrates and makes interoperable four core components: IN SITU, a network of experimental sites; IN LAB, a set of research infrastructures and laboratories; IN SILICO, a digital infrastructure for data management, integration and analysis; and IN EDU, a platform for specialised education and training.
Competitive advantages:
- Expansion of its international reach by providing specialised scientific and technological services to the European research community.
- Facilitating participation in new competitive projects at European level.
- Strengthening the institute’s capacity to attract researchers, foster international collaborations and develop excellence in research in the field of sustainable forest management.
Ali Askarieh
Felipe Bravo Oviedo
José Cipra Rodríguez
Chamodi Dissanayake
Wilson Lara
Ruth C. Martín Sanz
Jorge Olivar Ruiz
Cristóbal Ordóñez Alonso
Valentin Pando Fernandez
José Carlos Porto Rodríguez
Isabel Ramos Feo
Frederico Tupinamba Simoes
Aitor Vázquez Veloso
Former researchers and collaborators
Irene Ruano Benito
María José Fernández Nieto
