PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Mountains within the Güigüí Special Natural Reserve in Gran Canaria were previously covered by forests dominated by junipers (cedars), as well as by pine forests in the higher areas. A growing human population and associated development led to significant felling of these forests, such that now only isolated trees are found in inaccessible areas, such as around mountain cliffs. Grazing pressures from livestock, and more recently feral goats, have prevented natural recovery of the former forests and their endemic flora.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE+ GUGUY project’s main objective was to improve long-term prospects for three priority habitats: 9560 * (Endemic forests of Juniperus spp.), 4050 * (endemic Macaronesian heaths) and 9550 (Canarian endemic pine forests). To improve the present state of conservation of these habitats and of their related threatened flora and fauna species, the project would:
- Carry out studies to determine the evolution of the targeted habitats and their management requirements;
- Work to remove the main threats that affect the Güigüí Special Nature Reserve;
- Take steps to recover important habitat and ecological processes; and
- Increase awareness amongst the local population about the importance of the Güigüí Special Nature Reserve as one of the nuclei of the Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve.
RESULTS
The LIFE+ GUGUY project set the basis for the recovery of several habitat types of Community interest in the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) "Reserva Natural de Güigüí" (Juniper and pine forests, Olea and Ceratonia forests and some heath habitat) and of its related biodiversity. Contrary to expectations, most of the area did not provide suitable conditions for the development of two of the three habitat types initially targeted (the pine forest and heath habitat). However, it provided optimal conditions for the development of thermophilic forests, such as Juniper and Olea and Ceratonia forests, the latter of which was not initially foreseen. For this reason, the beneficiaries decided to focus efforts on the recovery of these habitat types. Nevertheless, the nuclei created of pine forest and heath habitat have conservation value.
Work to reinforce the only natural population on the island of Juniperus cedrus ssp. cedrus, considered as endangered, was particularly important. Furthermore, the project created three populations of the endemic species J. cedrus ssp. cedrus in the SAC "El Nublo II", which will serve as a genetic reservoir and as seed dispersion nuclei. It also carried out population reinforcement of the endangered species E. onosmifolium ssp. spectabile and created a new population of the critically endangered species Dracaena tamaranae.
Unfortunately, for political reasons it was not possible to develop actions for the control of feral goats with professional hunters. Instead, the development of in vivo captures with volunteers was promoted by the competent authority during the project and selected for the control of the species during the post-LIFE period. This system has proven ineffective, though. As a result, and despite the huge amount of work done during the project on habitat restoration in the most difficult conditions, the sustainability of the project in the long term is not ensured.
From a communication point of view, the project has promoted greater knowledge of the valuable natural heritage among the local population. It has also allowed the problems caused by feral goats and other invasive species on the island´s biodiversity to be brought to the forefront of public debate.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
