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SCI Parga-Ladra-Támoga: recovery of bog woodland .. (Parga-Ladra-Támoga)
SCI Parga-Ladra-Támoga: recovery of bog woodland and dystrophic lake
(Parga-Ladra-Támoga)
Start date: Apr 1, 2001,
End date: Mar 31, 2006
PROJECT
FINISHED
Background
The upper catchment area of the river Miño (Lugo) is one of the most exceptional wetlands in the Iberian Peninsula. It holds no less than 15 habitats of Community interest (four of them priority). and for this reason was selected as a Natura 2000 network site. Typical habitats include riverine forests of common alder (Alnus glutinosa) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior), and wooded peat bogs (a very rare habitat in the Iberian Peninsula). This diversity and heterogeneity of habitats has favoured the presence of a remarkably high diversity of flora and fauna; including some Habitats Directive Annex II species (the plants Eryngium viviparum and water-plantain - Luronium natans, and the freshwater mussel Margaritifera margaritifera).
The main threat to this wetland lies in the indiscriminate land-use changes, which normally results in habitat and species destruction. The lack of local and national management and planning has been the main cause of this transformation, resulting in an increasing urban and tourist pressure on the area. As a consequence, the sources of diffuse contamination in the catchmentâs area have been increasing, directly affecting the wetland ecosystems.
The indigenous habitats and species are also endangered by the spread of alien species, especially the aquatic fern Azolla, which has a directly negative impact on the riverine habitats and on the three species of plants and mollusc.
Objectives
The main actions of the project were to rely on the elaboration of a management plan for the Natura 2000 site and on the acquisition of 55 hectares of land containing habitats and species. For this area, the project foresaw restoration and improvement measures for targeted species (three plants and one mollusc) and habitats. This included the restoration of streams and canals, recovery of natural vegetation, elimination of exotic species and installation of vegetation filters for sewage treatment. Also, the project included a monitoring Natura 2000 site plan for species and habitats, and the launch of a public awareness campaign (including a nature trail that highlights the conservation and importance status of the area).
Results
All the proposed project actions were completed, with the exception of the management plan for the targeted Natura 2000 site, which is in the process of being officially approved by the competent regional authority (Xunta de Galicia).
The project managed to buy 98% of the initial proposed 55 hectares, with habitats and species. This represents a very successful result. In addition, the project triggered the acquisition of an additional 110 hectares of land with the beneficiaryâs own funds and through expropriation by the regional authority. Now, the most important conservation areas of the Natura 2000 site (Pozos do Ollo and Insua de San Roque) are publicly owned.
The project undertook an effective removal of alien invasive species (mainly Pinus spp., Populus spp. and Eucalyptus spp.) in different parts of the Insua de San Roque, and restored the natural conditions of these areas. Also, the project conducted a reforestation campaign with local species.
The habitat restoration and improvement for the projectâs targeted species, (Eryngiym viviparum, Luronium natans and Margaritifera margaritifera), consisted in the cleaning and restoration the channels and streams in the two project areas (Pozos do Ollo and Insua de San Roque). These restoration actions included the establishment of a pond that also favoured the future settlement of the targeted species. These actions will allow the conservation and expansion of the species populations and favour their re-colonisation of other potential areas.
The project implemented an environmental monitoring system that provided a large amount of data regarding the characterisation and the conservation status of species and habitats, and the environmental parameters (e.g. water quality) of the Natura 2000 site. This data was also fundamental for drafting the siteâs management plan, and for monitoring the success of the project conservation actions. The monitoring of the river water quality was also important to quantify the real effect of the vegetation filter for sewage treatment installed in two locations.
The project successfully accomplished the removal of the invading aquatic fern Azolla filiculoides in the siteâs section of the river, and the natural conditions of the area were re-established.
The project has also implemented a very successful dissemination and awareness campaign that included the production and distribution of a Natura 2000 site book, a DVD, bookmarks, calendars, posters, t-shirts, and bags. The project web page has an online geographical information system on the Natura 2000 site, withed detail cartography of the species and habitat and project actions.