PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Coastal wetlands in the Valencia region are very important for birds as nesting, migrating and wintering areas. Among these are El Hondo de Elche and La Marjal de Pego-Oliva. These two areas are SPAs and shelter around fifty species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC). Both areas are also included in the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of wetlands.
The main threats registered to these wetlands at the start of the project in 1992 were overgrazing, destruction of vegetation around the edge of the wetlands, hunting, fishing and uncontrolled building activity.
Valencia toothcarp (Valencia hispanica) is a species of freshwater fish endemic to the Valencian Community, Spain. It is a priority endangered species in the EU. The main threats for this species were identified as loss of habitat through drainage of wetlands, water pollution and competition with exotic species.
This project had two phases. The two LIFE projects LIFE92 NAT/E/014400 and LIFE95 NAT/E/000577 are thus two phases of the same overall project.
OBJECTIVES
The project was an action programme for the conservation of two wetlands in Valencia and the creation of a reserve network for Valencia Hispanica. It was to be implemented in two phases, focusing firstly on conservation of the wetlands and secondly on the network of nature reserves.
Conservation of Pego Oliva and Hondo de Elche wetlands was to be carried out through:
purchase of land
protection and suitable management of these areas
monitoring and studies on the wetlands
monitoring and studies of bird populations
awareness-raising activities
The creation of a reserve network for Valencia Hispanica was to be achieved through:
protection of the most important areas where the species is found
habitat recovery actions
studies on the ecology and genetics of the species
a captive breeding programme for the fish
restocking of the most endangered populations
awareness-raising activities.
RESULTS
The two phases of this overall project successfully contributed to better conservation of the two SPAs and the target Valencia Hispanica species. Although much conservation work remains to be done, LIFE support was essential for the long-term conservation of the habitats and species of European importance found in these wetlands. The project set up regular conservation measures that should be continued in the future.
The project undertook studies, inventories and monitoring, which contributed to a better knowledge and comprehension of the wetlands in the El Hondo and Pego-Oliva SPAs. Devices to measure depth were installed in several flooded areas to monitor the water level. This provided key information for wetland management of value also for other wetlands in the region.
The project exceeded its expectations by purchasing 392 ha of wetland area for long-term conservation of the sites. The project conducted a series of habitat management activities in El Hondo, which resulted in the improvement of habitats for fauna and flora - mainly in purchased areas - notably by tackling hyper-eutrophication:
recovery of the aquatic macrophytic vegetation
fencing the most sensitive areas
road improvement
monitoring water levels through the installation of sluice gates
restoration of ditches with surface vegetation
installation of five hides that are accessed along walkways
creation of three platforms for water birds
plant management
improvement of 300 metres of channels.
Management plans were also drafted and adopted by the end of the project for Pega-Oliva. Overall, the project established eight reserve areas and both wetlands were proposed SCIs. A key success was the prohibition of hunting in el Hondo de Elche in 1996.
The project included specific studies on the target species Valencia hispanica that greatly increased knowledge on its biology and habitat, enabling drafting of a species recovery plan. The captive-breeding programme worked very well. It established a good emergency stock of fish with suitable genetic quality to regenerate natural populations in case of disaster. A total of some 81 000 Valencia hispanica from the three existing wild populations were bred. Annual production was around 12 000-15 000 fish. The experiences of habitat recovery and fish reintroduction (and/or re-stocking) also succeeded, ensuring the long-term conservation of the species and increasing its distribution area.
A campaign raised the general public’s awareness of the situation of this endangered species. A good quality video was produced along with other educational and dissemination materials. The project reached about 5 000 schoolchildren from 67 schools and around 3 300 people visited the interpretation centre and the captive breeding installations. The project was also presented at international scientific events.The two phases of this overall project successfully contributed to better conservation of the two SPAs and the target Valencia Hispanica species. Although much conservation work remains to be done, LIFE support was essential for the long-term conservation of the habitats and species of European importance found in these wetlands. The project set up regular conservation measures that should be continued in the future.
The project undertook studies, inventories and monitoring, which contributed to a better knowledge and comprehension of the wetlands in the El Hondo and Pego-Oliva SPAs. Devices to measure depth were installed in several flooded areas to monitor the water level. This provided key information for wetland management of value also for other wetlands in the region.
The project exceeded its expectations by purchasing 392 ha of wetland area for long-term conservation of the sites. The project conducted a series of habitat management activities in El Hondo, which resulted in the improvement of habitats for fauna and flora - mainly in purchased areas - notably by tackling hyper-eutrophication:
recovery of the aquatic macrophytic vegetation
fencing the most sensitive areas
road improvement
monitoring water levels through the installation of sluice gates
restoration of ditches with surface vegetation
installation of five hides that are accessed along walkways
creation of three platforms for water birds
plant management
improvement of 300 metres of channels.
Management plans were also drafted and adopted by the end of the project for Pega-Oliva. Overall, the project established eight reserve areas and both wetlands were proposed SCIs. A key success was the prohibition of hunting in el Hondo de Elche in 1996.
The project included specific studies on the target species Valencia hispanica that greatly increased knowledge on its biology and habitat, enabling drafting of a species recovery plan. The captive-breeding programme worked very well. It established a good emergency stock of fish with suitable genetic quality to regenerate natural populations in case of disaster. A total of some 81 000 Valencia hispanica from the three existing wild populations were bred. Annual production was around 12 000-15 000 fish. The experiences of habitat recovery and fish reintroduction (and/or re-stocking) also succeeded, ensuring the long-term conservation of the species and increasing its distribution area.
A campaign raised the general public’s awareness of the situation of this endangered species. A good quality video was produced along with other educational and dissemination materials. The project reached about 5 000 schoolchildren from 67 schools and around 3 300 people visited the interpretation centre and the captive breeding installations. The project was also presented at international scientific events.