“Analysis of the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the populations of Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) of the Central System in the face of global warming for the development of potential reintroduction programs” is a project of Biosfera Consultoría Ambiental S.L that has had the support of the Biodiversity Foundation.

The populations of this small mammal of the Central System, included in the category of “in danger of extinction” (Royal Decree 139/2011 of 4 February), are confined to small headwater sectors of a few river sub-basins on the Duero slope (Tormes and Adaja rivers) and the Tagus (Ambroz, Jerte and Tiétar rivers). These populations, which represent the southern limit of their global distribution area as they are the southernmost of the species, present serious problems of fragmentation and isolation due to the disconnection of populations from each other, which further increases their vulnerability to global phenomena such as those derived from global warming.

The implementation of the project has made it possible to characterise the ecological status of 62 river courses of the potential habitat for the Iberian desman, most of them presenting a suitable state for the species. However, in 14 of the 16 climate change scenarios analysed, the suitability of the habitat worsens significantly, which together with the current threats to the species suggest that the viability of the species in the medium term would be compromised. However, the situation is considered reversible considering that many basins have appropriate habitability conditions for the species and if adequate management measures are carried out.