PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Minorca, the easternmost island in the Balearics, boasts a large and interesting plant community, including a number of endemic species. Amongst these are eight species listed in the annexes to the Habitats Directive, four of which are considered priorities. These species grow mainly along the rocky shores of the northern and eastern coasts. All are now located within sites that have been put forward under the Natura 2000 network. The main threat to these species comes from the invasion of an exotic plant from South Africa, Carpobrotus edulis, which has spread rapidly across the island. This plant is very popular amongst gardening enthusiasts because of its colourful flowers. However, once it had 'escaped' from the confines of gardens it began to spread uncontrollably, reaching even the most remote rocky outcrops in the north of the island. The result is that the native flora is being displaced at an alarming rate. The other main threat to native flora comes from tourism, with massive influxes of visitors at certain times of the year and a proliferation of vehicle access tracks within the Sites of Community Interest (SCIs).
OBJECTIVES
In a bid to improve and conserve the conditions for native plants, the Minorca Island Council drew up an action programme, with the support of the regional government, to address the different threats. The first step in this was to eradicate Carpobrotus edulis from all the SCIs. Various techniques would be tested to determine the most effective method of large-scale eradication. Thereafter, vehicular access would be heavily restricted and tourists would be encouraged instead to visit the SCIs on foot using an existing track running the length of the coastline. This work was to be backed up by a major information and awareness raising campaign aimed at the local population and landowners. The ultimate objective was to encourage them to become actively involved in the conservation of these endemic plant species so that the results of the project can maintained in the long run.
RESULTS
The project has significantly contributed to controlling the three main threats to the conservation of native species: the expansion of Carpobrotus edulis, lack of regulation of access by increasing numbers of visitors, and existence of uncontrolled track roads. The results of the project can be grouped into three main categories: 1). Removal of invasive species from SCIs and encouragement of native species 2). Actions to regulate access to SCIs (for example by restricting vehicle access) 3). Other results such as jobs created by the project and local participation Removal of invasive species: Work to remove invasive species covered an impressive 142,268 square metres up to February 2004. However, the extent of invasive species coverage was greater than foreseen when the project was drawn up and a higher than expected level of human and economic input was needed.The main threat comes from the invasion of an exotic plant from South Africa. Carpobrotus was removed from all Sites of Community Interest (SCIs) except for two where there was opposition from private landowners. However, in October 2005, the beneficiary also obtained permission to work in those areas. Although the area involved is not big (around 6 hectares), it represents an area for dispersion of invasive species and needs further control. The beneficiary has requested the regional government to declare the species as a plague. The project has worked all island SCIs and on all annex II flora species. Control of threats and raising of awareness are the most notable results obtained for Natura 2000 species and habitats. The control of Carpobrotus edulis represents an important qualitative step forward in the following pSCIs: ES0000229 Costa Nord de Ciutadella, ES0000232 La Mola i s?Albufera de Fornells, ES0000233 D?Addaia a s?Albufera, ES0000234 S?Albufera des Grau, ES0000235 De s?Albufera a la Mola. These littoral areas are especially wealthy in endemic and threatened flora species such as Anthyllis hystrix, Apium bermejoi, Daphne rodrigueziiand Femeniasia balearica. The project produced management plans for all annex II species on the island and proposed a microreserve network, subject to legal approval by the regional government. The most endangered species population, Apium bermejoi, was reinforced, with ongoing monitoring. But the most important benefit for long-term conservation of flora on the island is increased awareness about avoiding the introduction of exotic species. Actions to regulate access to SCIs: The objective of promoting use of the ancient pathway (the Cam? de Cavalls), which runs around the island, as a means of regulating access to the SCIs, was not fully achieved. Preparatory actions were taken, including a blueprint for signposting and others, such as the production of a Special Plan for the Cam? de Cavalls. However installation of signposts was not completed, because the island government did not yet finalise the procedures necessary to enable public use of the pathway. The production and distribution of the information leaflet was also not completed during the project, though it was expected this would be done following the close of the project. The objective of creating a basis for regulating use of track roads was achieved, with maps and a proposal for regulation available as project outcomes for further implementation by the island government. Other results: Following on from the project, some other actions with similar objectives have been initiated, including the control and removal of Carpobrotus edulis by private and public gardens. The project also contributed to the speeding up of the implementation of other actions by the island government, such as the Cam? de Cavalls plan. Also worthy of mention is the relevance of the project to other projects, such as a LIFE-Nature project for the conservation of Mediterranean temporary ponds, and a proposal drawn up with by governments of Crete, Sardinia and Corsica for the control of invasive species and regeneration of natural vegetation. The actions to control and remove Carpobrotus edulis and to develop management plans for all island annex II flora species, generated interest outside the island. The project qualified as a 'Demonstration project' for future control of invasive species initiatives in Europe in two technical events: International workshop on invasive plants in the Mediterranean type regions of the world, held in Herault (France) in May 2005; and in the Bern Convention group of experts on invasive alien species, held in Majorca in June 2005. Initiatives for the removal of Carpobrotus edulis are also taking place in the region of Valencia. The project engaged the local population, with information provided to the local media. Residents called the project office to report the presence of Carpobrotus and local organisations offered support for its removal. Communication with other stakeholders was also important, such as the local environmental NGO GOB, the scientific institution Institut Menorqu? s?Estudis and the Organisation for the Defense of the Cam? de Cavalls. Four full time posts were created in the island government during the project: a communication expert, a conservation expert, a head of brigade and an administrative officer. The project contributed to the local economy by acquiring goods and services locally. Recommendations: Threats to native flora in the island remain. Additional actions are needed to regulate uncontrolled access by people and vehicles, especially in view of the growing tourism industry and commercial activity on the island, though the LIFE project has contributed tools for this. After-LIFE recommendations of the beneficiary are: - Continue the control and removal of foreign species and promote implementation of legal instruments to prevent their expansion; - Monitoring of project areas where Carpobrotus removal has taken place; - Continue the implementation of the management plans produced; - Increase knowledge of the island habitats and species; - Continue awareness raising actions. Indicators for future project monitoring have been devised on three levels: for conservation of threatened species and habitats (five indicators, for instance the declaration of flora microreserves), for the removal and control of invasive species (five indicators, for instance new foci of Carpobrotus detected) and for raising awareness (six indicators, such as local requests for information).
