PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The priority species (Annex 1 of the Birds Directive) aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) is Europe’s rarest migratory species, with less than 3 300-3 400 males and a breeding area of 6 800 km2. According to the European Environment Information and Observation Network, the species is declining, endangered or in a situation of severe population slowdown. The causes of this decline are the frequent loss of nesting habitat, mainly due to drainage of shallow wetlands, peatlands and flood plains for use as agricultural land or for peat extraction, but also by uncontrolled burning. Changes in hydrological regimes have also had a severe negative impact.
Spain is on the aquatic warbler's main spring and autumn migration routes between Europe and Africa. However, in Spain certain areas of the countryside have experienced significant loss of fens due to disappearance of extensive animal grazing. Locally, in Tierra de Campos, for instance, there’s been a considerable fall-off of sheep grazing and in the use of cattle for the grazing of open pastures. While this is a local problem, it is of high significance for the aquatic warbler, as it has contributed to the virtual disappearance of the species’ favoured habitat in many Iberian wetlands along its migratory routes.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE PALUDICOLA project aims to:
Halt the decrease in the population of the aquatic warbler, Europe’s most endangered passerine species; Increase areas of open wetland vegetation for resting over along the species’ migratory routes in Spain. Many of these habitats are listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive as priority for conservation; and Increase the knowledge about the severe population slowdown of the species and to share this information with working groups in northern Europe, to improve and coordinate the conservation and habitat management measures. Specific objectives:
Encouraging traditional management of target wetland vegetation, to obtain an extension of the rare, or disappearing habitats. The farm management methods will include mechanical mowing, controlled animal grazing and soil stripping, as well as the halting of regular burning. Herbaceous and bird-friendly bush species will also be planted; Increasing local knowledge of the species and awareness about the benefits of recovering traditional management of vegetation; and Establishing a national strategy for the conservation of the aquatic warbler in Spain, as well as specific CAP EU Rural Development agri-environmental programmes to ensure legislative and financial measures to enable the implementation of management plans sustainable in the long term. Expected results:
Restoration and improvement of approximately 380 ha of favourable habitat for the aquatic warbler, including: - Consolidation of 22 ha of potentially floodable areas by purchasing 11 ha of the Boada de Campos wetland and with the implementation of hydraulic works to promote the flooding of another 11 ha in Marjal del Moro and Albufera de Valencia. Implementation of other wetland improvement works by removing soil embankments (1 075 m) and repairing channels and irrigation canals (1 425 m); - Restoration of at least 336 ha of suitable habitat through: rotational grazing by 20-25 animals on some 120 ha, regular mechanical mowing on another 195 ha, using amphibious machinery and a tractor, removing an average of 1 000 tonnes of biomass in total (975-1 170 tonnes); and removal (through soil stripping) of 8 ha with overgrowth of high and dense reed beds, producing 64-80 tonnes of organic matter for farming purposes; and - Improvement of the habitat diversity and structure by planting herbaceous species (32 500 plants) on 13 ha and planting 4 km of riverside bush groves (12 000 plants); Control of invasive American minks (Neovison vison) through the removal of 30/40 individuals for year; Improved knowledge about the species’ population and preferred habitats in areas of the Iberian Peninsula, through three detailed annual censuses and botanical cartography, data available via a public geographical information system (GIS); An extensive communication strategy with a wide reach focusing especially on the project website, Radio Televisión Española, a mobile exhibition and school visits; Consolidation of long-term conservation measures through the development of a national strategy for the conservation of the species, a specific EU RDP agri-environmental programme to support mowing and grazing of areas of environmental interest, and a consolidated international working group dedicated to the species (networking).
