PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The yew tree ( Taxus baccata ) is a flagship tree, one of the longest-living in the world, with tremendous cultural, natural and scientific heritage value. It is a survivor of a previous age, being a species that was more widespread during the last glaciations. However, the yew is now showing evidence of regression in south-western Europe, making it a vulnerable species. It has a wide range across Europe but only appears in small, reduced population sizes, isolated from each other. It has special status under the laws of some EU countries and some of its populations are included within the habitat-type “Forests Mediterranean Taxus baccata”, which is a priority for conservation in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. There are seven sites where yew populations are protected in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula. The main threats to yew populations seem to be the influence of climate change and human pressures. Processes and activities including the changing landscape of buildings and infrastructure, excessive use of yews for therapeutic purposes and for livestock, plus losses from fire and logging have significantly contributed to the current worrying situation.
OBJECTIVES
The broad aim of the TAXUS project was to contribute to conservation of yew habitats in the north-east Iberian peninsula through specific forestry measures and environmental education activities. To ensure the future of yew populations, the project had the following specific aims:
- Improve seed dispersal and seedling survival;
- Growing 10.000 seedlings and replanting 3.500 juveniles;
- Reduce grazing damage to young yew trees (10 ha);
- Pruning of 430 trees to improve resistance to Armillaria fungi;
- Reduce the risk of wildfire affecting yew populations (39 ha);
- Reduce competition between species for light and water (82 ha);
- Increase knowledge about the conservation status of yew populations in north-eastern Spain;
- Improve public understanding about the conservation value of yews and their habitats through education programmes; and
- Disseminate the project results to all stakeholders.
RESULTS
The TAXUS project delivered results that will help conserve and enhance yew forests (habitat type 9580*) in the Catalonian region of Spain. Most project activities were implemented in four Natura 2000 sites (SACs), with additional activities in complementary Natura 2000 sites. The project team gathering various types of measures geared towards an integrated management of yew woodlands, based mainly on best practices adapted to, and tested in, the Mediterranean context and climate.
Extended monitoring confirmed the usefulness of the conservation actions. The knowledge gained was included in a "Best Practices Handbook", which includes recommendations applicable to other yew woodlands in the Mediterranean region, and also North Africa. In total, the project team inventoried and characterised 287 ha of woodlands with yew presence. This up-to-date information on yew forests informed conservation plans that were drawn up for each site. Conservation actions were subsequently implemented over a total area of 230 ha (29 yew woodland units and surrounding areas), in the four SACs plus two additional ones. The main activities included:
- Regulation of competition and promotion of yew growth: implementation of silvicultural measures to more than 9 000 yew trees and approximately 23 000 competing trees, covering 212 ha;
- Reduction of cattle pressure: through fencing and agreements with cattle farmers;
- Phytosanitary treatments (against Armillaria fungus attacks): 281 yew trees removed, pruned or cut;
- Fire prevention: application of low impact, innovative silvicultural measures (following ORGEST models) over 36 ha in 18 yew sites;
- Soil stabilisation to reduce erosion: low-impact techniques applied in Serra de Cardó and Montserrat using steel mesh barriers and vegetation from thinning works;
- Enhancement of seed dispersal by frugivore bird and mammals: included selective thinning to enhance fruit-producing plants (about 900 trees treated), plantation of fruit-producing trees (such as holly, hawthorn and rowans; 3 700 saplings planted) and installation of 12 drinking troughs to attract bird and mammals;
- Production and plantation of yew saplings: 2 365 seedlings obtained from local wild seeds planted in the 4 targeted SACs.
The exemplary land stewardship scheme established during the project guarantees the long-term conservation of yew groves: 26 agreements were signed with stakeholders and private land owners, using different types of approaches and compensation. The project raised awareness of the value of yew forests, built capacity in local companies, trained students and conducted educational activities in 21 schools (workshops and field activities). The project’s "IV International Yew Workshop" gathered 140 yew experts from all over the world.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
