PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The great bustard (Otis tarda), included on Annex I of the Birds Directive and considered as a priority species according to the Ornis Committee, is one of the most representative species of the European steppes zones. In the Castilla y León Region, and especially in the Reserva Nacional de las Lagunas de Villafáfila, the great bustard finds its optimum habitat in the ecosystem defined as cereal pseudosteppe, characterised by a slight orography with gentle slopes and wide horizons, where extensive cereal fields are the predominant feature. They are the main source of food for the bustard. The area has been declared as a SPA and contains the sub-population with the highest density of great bustards in the world with an estimated 2,000 individuals, representing approximately 8% of the world population.
The main threat for the bustard population is habitat destruction due to the setting up of irrigation schemes and the disappearance of traditional crops, mainly the reduction of plots with dry-farmed alfalfa (Medicago sativa) for which the bustards have shown a clear preference, especially in the breeding season.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the project was to contribute to the bustard conservation in the Villafáfila SPA by making it compatible with the management of the traditional dry-farmed cereals in the steppe area surrounding the reserve lagoons.
Preliminary actions included the drawing up of an inventory of cultivated plots used for dry-farmed lucerne as well as cartography of the zones used by the species over the yearly cycle in order to provide data on habitat selection by the bustard. The main action planned was the purchase of the most suitable land in order to apply an agricultural management scheme, which includes sowing a minimum surface area of alfalfa in the zones where the bustards preferably dwell. These measures came to supplement the Steppe Cereals Programme implemented within this site.
To involve the local population in the project, it was also foreseen to distribute a newsletter in villages and in the SPA Reserve Interpretation Centre, while organising information meetings in the local town halls.
RESULTS
The project achieved its objective by improving the status of the great Bustard and the quality of its habitats. The surface cultivated with alfalfa increased by 80% and the great bustard population trends in the SPA showed a slight increase at the end of the project. Therefore, the implementation of the Life Nature project was exemplary for the conservation of the steppe area.
108 hectares were purchased (out of the 100 ha initially planned) at an average price less than foreseen in the proposal. The methodology followed for the land purchase was a key for the success of the project. In order to acquire the most strategic plots, an agronomist and a biologist assessed all the plots offered for sale (around 530 ha) and classified them according to criteria such as their location with respect to the bustard distribution range, the absence of alfalfa plots in the surroundings, their size and price.
Studies undertaken by the project estimated that at least 8.4 % of the reserve area (about 2,700 ha) should be maintained under alfalfa production to avoid conservation problems for the great bustard. Alfalfa cultivation was undertaken in the land purchased and an agri-environmental scheme to promote this kind of cultivation was also promoted in the SPA, while some other habitat management measures were also implemented with the participation of local farmers. Thanks to the agri-environmental programme and the LIFE project, the area sown with alfalfa increased by 80% and the final surface dedicated to this type of culture amounted to 8.5% of the SPA.
Prior to this Life project, the area had been included in an agri-environmental programme for cereal-producing steppes (1993-96), which had quite disappointing results because of a lack of co-operation from farmers, probably due to the novelty of the programme and to some shortcomings in its promotion. The second phase of the programme (1997-99) was run in parallel with the Life porject and was much more successful; the farmers in the SPA had priorities and higher incentive premia compared with farmers outside this area.
The awareness-raising campaign undertaken by the project was also successful. The local population was totally involved in the land purchase measures and 60% of local schoolchildren were targeted by the educational campaign.The project achieved its objective by improving the status of the great Bustard and the quality of its habitats. The surface cultivated with alfalfa increased by 80% and the great bustard population trends in the SPA showed a slight increase at the end of the project. Therefore, the implementation of the Life Nature project was exemplary for the conservation of the steppe area.
108 hectares were purchased (out of the 100 ha initially planned) at an average price less than foreseen in the proposal. The methodology followed for the land purchase was a key for the success of the project. In order to acquire the most strategic plots, an agronomist and a biologist assessed all the plots offered for sale (around 530 ha) and classified them according to criteria such as their location with respect to the bustard distribution range, the absence of alfalfa plots in the surroundings, their size and price.
Studies undertaken by the project estimated that at least 8.4 % of the reserve area (about 2,700 ha) should be maintained under alfalfa production to avoid conservation problems for the great bustard. Alfalfa cultivation was undertaken in the land purchased and an agri-environmental scheme to promote this kind of cultivation was also promoted in the SPA, while some other habitat management measures were also implemented with the participation of local farmers. Thanks to the agri-environmental programme and the LIFE project, the area sown with alfalfa increased by 80% and the final surface dedicated to this type of culture amounted to 8.5% of the SPA.
Prior to this Life project, the area had been included in an agri-environmental programme for cereal-producing steppes (1993-96), which had quite disappointing results because of a lack of co-operation from farmers, probably due to the novelty of the programme and to some shortcomings in its promotion. The second phase of the programme (1997-99) was run in parallel with the Life porject and was much more successful; the farmers in the SPA had priorities and higher incentive premia compared with farmers outside this area.
The awareness-raising campaign undertaken by the project was also successful. The local population was totally involved in the land purchase measures and 60% of local schoolchildren were targeted by the educational campaign.
