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Transnational strategy for restoring Northern Iberian Natura 2000 high conservation value areas under a global change perspective

Reference: LIFE23-NAT-ES-LIFE-GLOBAL/101146070 | Acronym: LIFE23-NAT-ES-LIFE GLOBAL

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

On the Iberian Peninsula, the areas with the highest biodiversity are found in the northern region, around the boundary between the Atlantic and Mediterranean biogeographical regions. Key habitats and species are present on both sides of this boundary, many of which are considered a priority under the EU Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. But after nearly 3 000 years of land use and human activities, the environment in the Iberian Peninsula has become heavily fragmented. This has led to a complex mosaic of habitats around the Atlantic and Mediterranean boundary, with small, isolated areas of high conservation value. 

 

The most vulnerable areas in northern Iberia are those that harbour the greatest conservation value: the coastal zone, inland wetlands and mountainous areas. They face a variety of conservation threats that are exacerbated by global climate change. 

 

The LIFE GLOBAL project has selected 10 priority habitats and 3 priority species from these 3 environments that have an unfavourable conservation status. These habitats and species:

 

  • are considered representative of the Atlantic and Mediterranean biogeographical regions and some of these are found simultaneously in different environments
  • possess high conservation values and are therefore considered “umbrella” species/habitats, according to the Natura 2000 management plans for northern Iberia
  • have small areas/populations within the European Union (EU)
  • are restricted to a few biogeographical regions
  • are highly vulnerable to the effects of global climate change
  • are habitats that harbour high biodiversity values but are at risk of disappearing from the EU
  • are species that are of great conservation concern, as they have undergone significant decline, are highly vulnerable to the effects of global climate change, and their distribution is linked to the presence of specific priority habitats


OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of the LIFE GLOBAL project is to implement a transnational restoration strategy across 31 high-conservation-value Natura 2000 sites in northern Iberia, in both Spain and Portugal. 

 

To do this, the project will carry out small-scale actions and demonstrative and pilot measures aimed at mitigating anthropogenic pressures, implementing adaptive management, and conserving genetic diversity. Covering an area of 1 321 hectares (ha), the project seeks to enhance adaptation to current global changes, improving the conservation status and resilience of 10 priority habitats and 3 priority species.

 

The specific objectives of the project are to:

 

  • increase the area occupied by targeted priority habitats
  • increase the populations of targeted priority species
  • control and eliminate competition from invasive alien species (IAS) that negatively impacts the conservation status of priority habitats
  • enhance the structure, functionality and future prospects for priority habitats and the habitats of targeted priority species
  • provide updated and standardised information on targeted priority habitats and species in northern Iberia
  • raise public awareness of the significance, natural value and ecosystem services provided by the targeted priority habitats and species
  • transfer the measures developed in the project to facilitate replication at the EU level


RESULTS

The expected results of the LIFE GLOBAL project are:

 

  • increase in the surface area of 3 target priority habitats by 174.10 ha by reducing fragmentation and enhancing connectivity
  • increase in the populations of Centaurium somedanum by more than 300 individuals 
  • increase in the populations of Eryngium viviparum by more than 10% 
  • control and elimination of IAS which are impacting the composition, structure, and functions of priority habitats over 562.87 ha
  • improvement in the structure, functionality and future prospects of 551.60 ha of priority habitats and 32.9 ha of habitats of the 3 selected priority species 
  • organisation of 34 local workshops targeting private landowners, protected areas staff, travel agents, farmers, foresters and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
  • organisation of 12 training and technical capacity-building workshops addressed at protected area managers and EU competent authorities
  • 6 international seminars on priority habitats and species conservation
  • a manual of best conservation practices for priority habitats and species

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA


Reference: LIFE23-NAT-ES-LIFE-GLOBAL/101146070
Acronym: LIFE23-NAT-ES-LIFE GLOBAL
Start Date: 01/06/2024
End Date: 30/09/2029
Total Eligible Budget: 5,183,382 €
EU Contribution: 3,887,537 €

CONTACT DETAILS


Coordinating Beneficiary: UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Legal Status: PUBLIC
Address: COLEXIO DE SAN XEROME PRAZA DO OBRADOIRO S/N, 15782, Santiago De Compostela, A Coruña,
Contact Person: IBADER TB
Email: Send Email
Website: Visit Website


LIFE Project Map

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED

THEMES

  • Bogs and Mires
  • Coastal
  • Forests
  • Freshwater
  • Invasive species
  • Grasslands
  • Heath and Scrublands
  • Awareness raising - Information
  • Environmental training - Capacity building
  • Forest management
  • Sensitive and protected areas management
  • Natural risks (Flood - Forest fire - Landslide)
  • Birds
  • Plants
  • Water quality improvement
  • Water resources protection

KEYWORDS

  • climate resilience
  • conflicting use
  • connectivity
  • conservation of genetic resources
  • decision making support
  • endangered species
  • eradication
  • fragmentation
  • freshwater habitats
  • grazing
  • Agriculture
  • habitat management
  • habitat restoration
  • invasive alien species (IAS)
  • land purchase
  • livestock
  • raised bogs and mires and fens
  • restoration
  • seed harvesting
  • steppe birds
  • wetland ecosystem
  • risk management

TARGET EU LEGISLATION

  • Directive 2009/147 - Conservation of wild birds - Birds Directive (codified version of Directive 79/409/EEC as amended) (30.11.2009)
  • COM(2020) 380 EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 Bringing nature back into our lives (20.05.2020.) 
  • Regulation 1143/2014 - Prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (22.10.2014)
  • Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directive (21.05.1992)
  • COM(2019) 640 final Communication-The European Green Deal 

TARGET HABITAT TYPES

Code Name Type Version
1150 Coastal lagoons ANNEX1 v.2024
1510 Mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia) ANNEX1 v.2024
3170 Mediterranean temporary ponds ANNEX1 v.2024
4020 Temperate Atlantic wet heaths with Erica ciliaris and Erica tetralix ANNEX1 v.2024
4040 Dry Atlantic coastal heaths with Erica vagans ANNEX1 v.2024
6220 Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea ANNEX1 v.2024
6230 Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on silicious substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in Continental Europe) ANNEX1 v.2024
7210 Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae ANNEX1 v.2024
7220 Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion) ANNEX1 v.2024
9560 Endemic forests with Juniperus spp ANNEX1 v.2024

SPECIES

Name Version
Tetrax tetrax - Birds v.2024
Centaurium somedanum - Flowering Plants v.2024
Eryngium viviparum - Flowering Plants v.2024

NATURA 2000 SITES

Code Name Type Version
Illas Cíes ES0000001 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
A Limia ES0000436 SPA v.2021
Costa Ártabra ES1110002 SCI/SAC v.2021
Costa da Morte ES1110005 SCI/SAC v.2021
Complexo húmido de Corrubedo ES1110006 SCI/SAC v.2021
Estaca de Bares ES1110010 SCI/SAC v.2021
As Catedrais ES1120005 SCI/SAC v.2021
Costa da Mariña occidental ES1120017 SCI/SAC v.2021
Valle de San Emiliano ES4130035 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Montaña Central de León ES4130050 SCI/SAC v.2021
Picos de Europa en Castilla y León ES4130003 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre-Montaña Palentina ES4140011 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Lago de Sanabria y alrededores ES4190105 SCI/SAC v.2021
Riberas del Río Tera y afluentes ES4190067 SCI/SAC v.2021
Lagunas de Tera y Vidriales ES4190134 SCI/SAC v.2021
Sierra de la Culebra ES4190033 SCI/SAC v.2021
Gorbeia ES2110009 SCI/SAC v.2021
Caicedo Yuso eta Arreoko lakua / Lago de Caicedo Yuso y Arreo ES2110007 SCI/SAC v.2021
Arabako hegoaldeko mendilerroak / Sierras meridionales de Álava ES2110018 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Guardiako aintzirak / Lagunas de Laguardia ES2110021 SCI/SAC v.2021
Valderejo-Sobrón-Árcenako mendilerroa / Valderejo-Sobrón-Sierra de Árcena ES2110024 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Izki ES2110019 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Entzia ES2110022 SCI/SAC v.2021
Belate ES2200018 SCI/SAC v.2021
Urbasa y Andia ES2200021 SCI/SAC v.2021
Regata de Orabidea y turbera de Arxuri ES2200015 SCI/SAC v.2021
Aritzakun-Urritzate-Gorramendi ES0000122 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Sierra de Illón y Foz de Burgui ES0000124 SCI/SAC v.2021
Sierra de Leire y Foz de Arbaiun ES0000125 SCI/SAC v.2021
Sierra de Artxuga, Zarikieta y Montes de Areta ES0000129 SPA and SCI/SAC v.2021
Montesinho / Nogueira PTCON0002 SCI/SAC v.2021

PARTNERSHIPS

Name Status Type
 AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS ACTIVE Participant
 FUNDACION CENTRO DE SERVICIOS Y PROMOCION FORESTAL Y DE SU INDUSTRIA DE CASTILLA Y LEON ACTIVE Participant
 CONSEJERIA DE MEDIO AMBIENTE, VIVIENDA Y ORDENACIÓN DEL TERRITORIO - JUNTA DE CASTILLA Y LEON ACTIVE Participant
 CONCELLO DE RIBADEO ACTIVE Participant
 UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA ACTIVE Coordinator
 CONSELLERIA DE MEDIO AMBIENTE, TERRITORIO E VIVENDA - XUNTA DE GALICIA ACTIVE Participant
 GESTION AMBIENTAL DE NAVARRA SA ACTIVE Participant
 ASOCIACION DESENVOLVEMENTO RURAL MARINAS BETANZOS ACTIVE Participant
 FUNDACION PATRIMONIO NATURAL DE CASTILLA Y LEON ACTIVE Participant
 DIPUTACION FORAL DE ALAVA ACTIVE Participant
 INSTITUTO POLITECNICO DE BRAGANCA ACTIVE Participant