PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The highest diversity areas in Iberian Peninsula are located in the Northern part, with a joint presence in the 3 most vulnerable scenarios (coastal zone, continental wetlands and mountain area) of priority habitats and species which have small areas/populations so they are in unfavourable CS, are restricted to a few biogeographic regions and are highly vulnerable to IAS, anthropogenic conditions or effects of global climate change. The general objective (GO) is implementing a transnational restoration strategy in 31 Northern Iberian Natura 2000 high conservation value areas across Spain and Portugal, through small-scale actions, reaching an area of 1,321.53 ha, as a main measure of adaptation to current global changes, improving CS and resilience of 10 priority habitats and 3 priority species which are considered representative from Atlantic and Mediterranean regions and from the 3 highest conservation value scenarios. The project holds great demonstrative and pilot characters, allowing a high transferability and replicability to other European territories where high conservation value areas are concentred and isolated in very fragmented and vulnerable complex mosaics. To achieve GO, a series of specific objectives (SO) are considered: SO1. Increasing the occupied area by targeted priority habitats, as well as the populations of targeted priority species SO2. Control and elimination of IAS competition that is causing an impact on CS of priority habitats SO3. Improving the structure, functionality and future prospects of priority habitats and habitat for targeted priority species SO4. Availability of updated and homogeneous information about targeted priority habitats and species in Northern Iberia SO5. Informing and raising public awareness to the general public about the relevance, natural values and ecosystem services provided by the targeted priority habitats and species SO6. Transferring the measures developed in the project for their replicability at EU level