PRESERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT IN PRIORITY HABITS ON THE ANDALUSIAN COAST

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Andalusia is the second largest autonomous community in Spain, located in the very south of the country. It is a region with high biodiversity, notably its important coastal habitats. Some of these areas host threatened species and habitats, many of which are little known from a scientific point of view.

These coastal habitats threatened mostly by increased human activity, namely increasing habitation and a growing tourism sector. The fragmentation of the coastal habitats – which in many cases exist as islands – has been further exacerbated by encroachment due to urbanisation, industry, and intensive farming.

Other threats to these areas are alien invasive species, inappropriate public use and a general lack of awareness of the value of these habitats. Some habitat management efforts have also been inappropriate, including unsuitable reforestation programmes.

OBJECTIVES

The Spanish project LIFE CONHABIT ANDALUCÍA aims to improve the conservation status of priority habitats present in Natura 2000 sites along the Andalusian coast. It will both restore and improve the long-term management of habitats to address the threats that affect them. It aims thus to contribute to the improvement of the conservation status of species of Community interest.

The project plans to undertake urgent restoration and management of ten priority habitats in 15 Natura 2000 sites along the Andalusian coast. It will specifically target: inappropriate public access; waste; expansion of invasive species; habitat fragmentation; silvicultural work; and forest fires. Interventions will include the installation of fences, the management of car parks, the planting of target species and the removal of invasive species.

The project also aims to improve understanding and practice in management of coastal habitats in Andalusia. It will carry out studies of the specific problems affecting some priority habitats and develop a methodology to measure the conservation status of priority habitats. It aims to draw up good practice guidelines to improve forestry management in four priority habitats. This should be applicable to eight Natura 2000 sites, preventing fire damage and benefitting threatened flora species.

Finally, the project hopes to improve collaboration channels with local government bodies and different social and economic actors relevant to the management of coastal ecosystems in Andalusia, including local populations.

Expected results:

Planting of 40 850 target flora species across seven Natura 2000 sites;

Removal of invasive species over 106 ha in 14 action areas across seven Natura 2000 sites;

Improved conservation status of five priority coastal and dune habitats;

Control of public access in eight Natura 2000 sites by installing 17 190 m of fences;

Improved management of nine car parks across four sites to reduce ecological impact;

Improved forestry management and fire avoidance practices to benefit targeted flora; and

Increased local awareness of the environmental value of these ecosystems.