PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Regional Park of San Pedro del Pinatar has 856 hectares of surface area between seas, dedicated to salt exploitation since Roman times. The SPA Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar is the most important wetland in the Region of Murcia (Spain) for the conservation of waterfowl. The project area is also a Ramsar site and is protected by the Barcelona Convention. In total, 170 species are regularly recorded, including 32 species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive who use the site for wintering, breeding, or resting during migration. The birds of Salinas de San Pedro del Pinatar are therefore of importance at the regional, national, European, and global levels. The area also hosts the small Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus), an endemic fish of the coast included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive.
Audouin’s gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii, previously Larus audouinii) is a priority species for conservation under the Birds Directive, and all its breeding population occurs in this natural enclave in the region of Murcia. Since 2010, this species has been regularly nesting in the SPA, with growth in its reproductive population currently stabilising around 450 pairs. However, intra-and interspecific competition due to the scarcity of nesting surfaces can affect population size.
The target habitats are 1510 Mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia) and 2250 coastal dunes with Juniperus spp. These have an unfavourable conservation status at the national level in the Mediterranean region. The SPA hosts the whole regional share of habitat 2250, with erosion processes and invasive alien species (IAS) being two of the main threats.OBJECTIVES
LIFE-SALINAS aims at the conservation of Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii) and two priority habitat types of the Habitats Directive, Mediterranean salt steppes and Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp., in the Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar Natura 2000 network site.
Specific objectives included:
- Increasing nesting habitat for Audouin’s gull and another six species of Annex I of the Birds Directive;
- Improving water circulation in the Coterillo pond to rehabilitate habitat for 32 species listed in the Birds Directive, Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus), and five bat species of the Habitats Directive;
- Stopping dune erosion at La Llana Beach to conserve Coastal dunes and another nine habitats of the Habitats Directive;
- Controlling invasive plant species affecting priority habitats, which indirectly benefits another 12 Habitats Directive habitats;
- Establishing a land stewardship agreement for the long-term conservation of habitats and species in salt production areas; and
- Implementing a certificate of quality and environmental protection for salt from the Natura 2000 Network.
The project directly implemented the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive.
RESULTS
The project contributed to enhancing the conservation status of the Audouin seagull and priority habitats 1510*: Mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia) and 2250*: coastal dunes with Juniperus spp. in the project area. Other habitats and species included in the Habitats Directive have also benefited from the project activity. This was possible thanks to the correct implementation of a well-designed set of conservation actions.
The main project achievements and outputs can be summed up as follows:
- 1,850 metres of dykes within the water circulation system of the salt flats were constructed. These dykes were already used in 2022 by 240 pairs of the Audouin's gull and other bird species.
- The Coterillo pond was connected to the water circulation system. A water inlet channel and an outlet channel were adapted with a system of floodgates to control water levels and maintain salinity between 40 and 90 grams per litre. The pond was quickly colonised by the Spanish toothcarp and will benefit other bird and bat species.
- For the restoration of the dune system, 800 linear metres were fenced, and 2,500 m of sand collectors installed. In addition, remains of Posidonia oceanica were placed along 572 m between the beach and the dune, creating a protective barrier. To support the natural evolution of the dune vegetation, about 16,400 specimens of native species were planted over 3 ha, and a total of 242 m3 and 68.16 tonnes of IAS were removed. The University of Murcia helped in the monitoring of works to see how erosion was controlled and how restored habitats evolved.
- A study on the increase in salt production and the economic and social impact on tourism was conducted during the project through surveys. A comprehensive assessment of the ecosystem services provided by the Regional Park of Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar, based on the CICES methodology, was carried out. This international classification has described 90 services that ecosystems can offer, of which the Regional Park offers 32.
- Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness-raising activities could be performed with some adjustments and with increased activity since 2021. The beneficiaries organised training courses addressed to environmental agents, the local police, and Salinera’s employees. Activities aimed at volunteers were also developed. In September 2022, the beneficiaries organised the final conference. In all, more than 6,000 people were reached by the different activities carried out.
- A long-term custody agreement between Salinera Española and ANSE was signed for the development of conservation actions for the duration of 10 years.
- A salt certification process was designed, and its promotion has started. However, the final version was still pending at the end of the project.
