Community based forest governance as a driver of multifunctional land use and carbon storage: Evidence from communal forests in NW Spain

Forests are essential for maintaining biodiversity, climate regulation, and human well-being, yet they are increasingly threatened by climate change and unsustainable management practices. In this context, multifunctional forest management has emerged as a key strategy to reconcile production, conservation, and the provision of ecosystem services. The Communities of Communal Forest Lands in Joint Ownership (CMVMC) represent a distinctive governance model in Galicia (NW Spain), where forests are jointly managed by local communities, offering a valuable framework for promoting multifunctional and resilient forest landscapes. This study assesses how multifunctional management under a CMVMC governance framework influences land use dynamics and forest carbon storage. Remote sensing and spatial modelling were applied to analyse land use and land cover (LULC) changes and carbon stocks in the CMVMC of Baroña between 2015 and 2024, using Sentinel-2 imagery and a carbon stock model calibrated with the InVEST tool. Analyses were conducted at two spatial scales, including the CMVMC and its surrounding areas, and the CMVMC itself. Results show contrasting land use trajectories between communal and surrounding areas. In Baroña and its surroundings, coniferous stands increased by 4.96%, while Eucalyptus cover slightly declined (0.05%). Within the CMVMC, conifer expansion was more pronounced, reaching 11.41%, accompanied by a modest increase in native broadleaved forests (0.23%). Carbon stock estimates based on the 2024 classification and field inventory data indicate that coniferous stands constitute the main carbon reservoirs, storing an average of 336 t/ha, while hardwood stands contribute substantially through dead biomass accumulation. Overall, the results demonstrate that community-based forest governance can effectively promote multifunctional land use trajectories with enhanced carbon storage and ecosystem resilience. The proposed approach, based on open access data and replicable tools, provides a robust and policy relevant framework for sustainable forest planning and supports the role of communal forest management in climate change mitigation.