PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Much European biodiversity is closely linked to traditional and extensive agricultural practices. Agro-ecosystems represent 38% of the total surface of the Natura 2000 network, mostly shaped by extensive farming systems. In fact, 58 habitats types (of which 23 are priority habitats) of the EU Habitats Directive are considered to be key farmland habitats, and a third of them are fully dependent on appropriate agricultural practices, such as livestock or low-intensity arable or permanent crop systems. Dehesas/Montados (comprising habitat types 6310, 9330, 9430) are characteristic of the Iberian Peninsula (around 3 million ha in Spain and Portugal), but also present in Italy and France. Their conservation status has been repeatedly diagnosed as ‘unfavourable’, mainly due to livestock intensification and phytosanitary problems manifested in its aged woodland. One of the key elements for the conservation and good health of dehesa are its scrubs, but these have been eradication in many extensive farms resulting in a simplification of the habitat, the appearance of diseases and the consequent loss of biodiversity. Structurally diverse scrub plays an important role in diversifying the landscape and creating habitat for many species, such as refuges for vertebrates, nesting sites for birds, and over-wintering sites for amphibians and reptiles. Scrub also contributes to the stability and function of the soil, among other socioeconomic and environmental benefits. Therefore, scrub must be part of any sustainable model of dehesa habitat management, especially within habitat types of high biodiversity, including Olea and Ceratonia forests (9320), Arborescent matorral with Juniperus spp. (5210), Thermo-Mediterranean and pre-desert scrub (5330), Mediterranean temporary ponds (3170*), and Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals (Thero-Brachypodietea) (6220*).
OBJECTIVES
LIFE ScrubsNet focuses on the regeneration and improvement of the dehesas and their associated wild species, through the appropriate management of scrubs/shrub areas as an essential element for the conservation of the whole ecosystem. The project will demonstrate an experimental development of a scrub mosaic management model to promote environmental and economic sustainability of the dehesa, offering to landowners a differentiated management alternative where natural capital is the core of the system. The ultimate objective is to reconcile the agricultural and conservation policies of the habitats of the dehesa, so that obtaining economic profitability is compatible with long-term persistence.
Specific objectives:
- Protecting, regenerating and creating key scrub/shrub areas in representative dehesas (4 pilot farms in Extremadura, northwest of Andalucía and Alentejo) to improve biodiversity and productivity under an integrated management model;
- Implementing specific conservation measures for threatened species associated with scrub areas in the dehesa/montado included in the Habitats Directive;
- Improving the regeneration of oak trees in the dehesas (Quercus suber, Q. ilex, Q. rotundifolia, Q. coccifera and Q. faginea), a key problem being the aged woodland;
- Improving soil health and the promotion of a natural barrier against pests and diseases through the management of scrub areas;
- Demonstrating the positive impact of project actions on biodiversity, soil, and socioeconomic factors;
- Improvement of policies and programmes towards the sustainable conservation of dehesas in Natura 2000 sites and as connectivity elements between Natura 2000 sites; and
- Effective replicability and transfer of project results.
The project contributes to the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, Habitats Directive and Birds Directive.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Improvement of over 200 ha of dehesa by enhancing scrub areas and ponds, including improvement of habitat types 3170* and 6220*;
- Improvement of soil health in over 40 ha (soil microorganisms and edaphic parameters: MO, pH, humidity);
- Improvement in areas affected by Phytophthora cinnamomi (10 ha), including increased survival of plants in affected areas;
- Improvement in the populations of indicator species of birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals in scrub areas: a) key bird species on pilot farms including Sylvia undata, Galerida theklae, Lullula arborea, Emberiza hortulana and Milvus milvus; b) small mammals, especially Oryctolagus cuniculus (essential for Lynx pardinus* and Aquila adalberti*); c) reptiles and amphibians, namely, Emys orbicularis, Mauremys leprosa, Lacerta schreiberi, Discoglossus galganoi, and Lacerta lepida; d) arthropods (mainly pollinators);
- Improvement of agro-environmental programmes in Extremadura (number of policies/programmes improved, number of competent authorities committing), including green direct payments (greening), different CAP support lines related to reforestation, silvo-environmental services and forest conservation, all reinforced for dehesas thanks to the project results, and at least 30% of FEADER programmes directed to support agro-environmental measures in the region, including measures for dehesas (currently not considered in FEADER);
- Scrub mosaic management model to promote environmental and economic sustainability of the dehesa habitats.
