The project arises due to the lack of monitoring and control networks of pollutants in protected natural areas. Its objective is to carry out a study of air quality in protected natural areas in Spain.

The project arises due to the lack of monitoring and control networks of pollutants in protected natural areas. Its objective is to carry out a study of air quality in protected natural areas in Spain.

Monitoring will be carried out over time to draw conclusions that allow for improved management. To this end, a national evaluation network will be constituted, selecting representative stations of these spaces, in which the study and monitoring of air quality will be carried out. From the data obtained, seasonal patterns of behavior will be extracted and the environmental risks associated with the pollutants found will be identified. Likewise, a proposal will be made for monitoring, control and management plans for pollutants in these areas.

The results of these studies will be published in scientific articles, international scientific journals, seminars and conferences, and in the media. In addition, a conference will be held in Aragon on air quality in rural and natural environments, in which national and international researchers and managers will be invited to discuss this topic, in addition to disseminating the results.

As a result of this work, two reports will be published, one on the situation of air quality in protected natural areas in Spain and a proposal on the evaluation and management of air quality in protected natural areas.

This project is part of the future Air Plan, with the general objective of promoting public awareness and improving the information available on air quality data, both by administrations and by citizens.

Within this plan, the actions carried out in this project would correspond to the specific objective “Improvements in the quality of measurement networks and in the evaluation of air quality”, with the HOR4 measure. I Development of guidelines for the location of air quality measurement stations and for the conduct of sampling campaigns; to the specific objective of “Information and awareness on Air Quality”, with the HOR6 measure. I Information and awareness-raising activities in favour of improving air quality, and the specific objective “Improvements in the management of air quality information”, with the measure HOR1.II Information to the general public on air quality at the national level.

The specific objectives of the project include:

• Study and monitoring of air quality in representative stations of protected natural areas, to constitute an evaluation network.
• Drawing conclusions by determining seasonal patterns of behavior.
• Identification of the environmental risks associated with the pollutants found.
• Proposal of plans for the monitoring, control and management of pollutants in these areas.