PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Bolle’s pigeon and white-tailed laurel pigeon (Columba bollii and Columba junoniae) found in the Canary Islands are endemic of those islands; both are included on Annex I of the Birds Directive and are priority species according to the Ornis Committee. Their habitat is the Macaronesian laurisilva, which is considered to be priority habitat by the Habitats Directive and declared a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA). The white-tailed laurel pigeon nowadays occurs on the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. The distribution area of the Bolle’s pigeon is even more restricted since it only occurs in the islands of Tenerife, La Palma and La Gomera.
Both are considered threatened species, and they are even endangered at some islands, such as the Bolle’s pigeon at Tenerife or the white-tailed laurel pigeon at El Hierro, and one of the two species is known to have disappeared completely from Gran Canaria. The destruction of the laurisilva forests and excessive hunting pressure have been the two factors that have traditionally had a negative impact on the conservation of these two species. Forestry is still practised in certain parts of their distribution areas as well as other negative factors such as poaching and water canalisation and presence of rats in the nesting areas.
This project, finished in December 2000, continued a LIFE I project (B4-3200/94/776) developed only in Tenerife Island up to 1996. Building on this first LIFE experience, the project area was widened and new measures were adopted.
OBJECTIVES
The main aim of the project was to establish the technical and scientific bases for the recovery and conservation of the laurisilva pigeons in the Canary Islands.
To achieve this, the main focus was placed on gathering data to enable the formulation of guidelines for the conservation of the species and their habitats. In those areas where the birds had disappeared or were seriously endangered, knowledge on their distribution and the status of the populations was updated. Another specific action within the project was already taking place in Tenerife and consisted of eliminating rats from the slopes of Tigaiga Mountain.
Finally, several measures to raise awareness about the plight of the laurisilva pigeons continued the ongoing campaign by the Regional Government and included publishing material, participation in an international congress and media coverage.
RESULTS
This project accomplished its general objective of setting up the foundations for the recovery and conservation of Columba bollii and C. junoniae in the Canary Islands. Indeed, knowledge on the biology, conservation status and conservation needs of both species was much improved as a result of the specific studies undertaken, which ranged from genetics and ecology, to abundance, distribution, habitat requirements and habitat status. The threats upon the species were also analysed and management measures were proposed. The increase in social awareness achieved through the well-targeted specific campaign carried out was also remarkable.
The specific outcome of each of the measures addressed can be summarised as follows:
The causes for low breeding were faced and effectively eradicated. Experimental rat control was undertaken and had very positive results, with rats becoming virtually removed from the pilot area and no significant negative effects found on other ecosystem features. This proved that the method used for rat eradication was optimal. Additional factors potentially affecting breeding success were detected that should be dealt with in the recovery plans for the species. Although the actual improvement in the pigeons’ breeding success did not come along during the project, the enforcement of the recovery plans and long term monitoring will bring further confirm the suitability of the methods tested. The intensive and scientifically sound census of the islands comprising suitable habitat for both pigeons carried out yielded surprising results of key importance for the subsequent management of the species, which happened to be much more abundant and broadly distributed, and not so constrained to monteverde habitats as believed. The genetic structure of the populations of both pigeons was also clarified. Although initially planned, reintroduction/reinforcements were not considered necessary after confirming the status of the pigeons’ populations and, consequently, captive breeding was also discarded. Nonetheless, surveys in search for suitable habitat for both Columba species went ahead and additional sites that met the minimum requirements were found, in particular in Gran Canaria island. The basic procedure to carry out eventual reintroduction of any of the two species was defined, but habitat restoration was found to be more a priority than reintroduction. The information gathered through these studies had direct implications for the Natura 2000 network. The existing sites were re-shaped to improve coverage of the species range, and new sites including suitable habitat for the endemic pigeons were designated. Management plans for these sites were drafted and included specific conservation measures for Columba species, of which high quality information was managed in relevant EIA procedures. Indeed, the information was critical to draft the Conservation Plans for the two species to be passed after the project end. Some habitats of Community interest also benefited from this project, which contributed to setting the basis for the recovery of the monteverde habitats (9360* - Macaronesian laurel forests) and 4050* endemic Macaronesian dry heathlands. Awareness raising was a complete success and the project was exemplar as regards these activities; the initial objectives were widened, both in respect to products issued and people focused. All the materials published were first quality, and all the relevant stakeholders were targeted through sound campaigns, especially hunters and farmers. Also, a non-foreseen field and school campaign allowed targeting the general public. The wide scope covered did have direct benefits for the species and also for their habitats. These good results were directly linked to the wide involvement of stakeholders accomplished. Cabildos (Island administrations), hunting federations, farming unions and NGOs (SEO/BirdLife) worked together with the beneficiary in the design and implementation of awareness raising actions. Notwithstanding the general case-study value of this project, eradication of invasive alien species must be reported as its most innovative and demonstrative feature. The experiment developed was a very good contribution to research in pest control and nature conservation carried out worldwide. The importance of disseminating the results of the method applied became clear and, in fact, has contributed to the exchange of expertise particularly relevant for island environments of Spain and Portugal carried out in a later LIFE project (LIFE2002NAT/CP/E/000014). Many complementary actions were prompted by this LIFE project and were started or completed in parallel to the ones foreseen. Among them, the elaboration of the recovery plans for the species and the management plans for SCIs and SPAs is outstanding, and the improved awareness of the importance of preserving monteverde habitats by the beneficiary is most remarkable. In summary, the future of pigeons and their habitat became much clearer after the LIFE project because the beneficiary, indeed the competent administration, set a comprehensive framework and assumed its role for conserving them. Moreover, not only the environmental authorities but economic sectors as well became entangled ever since the first experience developed under LIFE I. For example, the agriculture department strongly encourages alternative farming methods, which are promoted as economic, environmentally friendly and work-saving measures, therefore widening the socio-economic impact of the project. The high acceptance by land managers and farming unions also ensured the continuation of good practices. The consolidation of the notable improvement in the conservation status of the two Columba species in the Canary Islands accomplished through the LIFE project requires ongoing monitoring and further control over some of the main threats (e.g. poaching, rats and other exotic mammals). Wide campaigns to outweigh water scarcity, a severe problem in the Canaries, should also be endeavoured among all relevant sectors, and forestry should definitely incorporate the requirements for the recovery of the monteverde habitat. Further research in pest control and in the pigeons’ breeding success would also be adequate, as well as stronger protections for the key sites.
