- Vermetids are small molluscs that live fixed to the substrate forming reefs and are found on a narrow strip of the coastline of the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, the Region of Murcia and Andalusia
- It is a species that is very sensitive to the alteration of its habitat and its populations are very depleted and have even disappeared in some areas
- This initiative proposes, in a pioneering way for the species, to capture seeds from areas where these formations are preserved and translocate them to others with favorable environmental conditions for their development
The LIFE INTEMARES project, coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, has begun, in collaboration with the Generalitat Valenciana, work on the reintroduction of vermetid formations in various areas of the coast of the Valencian Community. Vermetid formations are bioconstructions of a small mollusc (Dendropoma lebeche) that are found in a narrow strip of rocky coastline in the Valencian Community, Balearic Islands, Region of Murcia and Andalusia. Vermetids are very sensitive to habitat alteration, which is why, in many locations, their populations have been greatly reduced or have even disappeared. On the other hand, and unlike most marine species, the dispersal of its larvae is very limited, so it is unable to recover in areas where the impacts that led to its elimination have been reversed. This initiative, which is developed in collaboration with the Institute of Coastal Ecology, proposes in a pioneering way for this species the capture of seeds in areas of the Natura 2000 Network on the Valencian coast where these reservoirs are preserved, and to translocate these collectors to other areas whose environmental conditions are favourable for the development of this species. but where they do not exist today. For the study of the potential recipient areas, climate change predictions will be taken into account and possible future environmental conditions will be assessed. The project has a duration of two years and aims to recover the presence of the species in at least three locations, and also serve as a pilot project that provides information for future recovery actions or for environmental restoration projects.
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS
The LIFE INTEMARES project is moving towards the objective of achieving effective management of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network, with the active participation of the sectors involved and with research as the basic tools.
The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge coordinates the project. The Ministry itself, through the Directorate-General for Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification and the Sub-Directorate for the Protection of the Sea; the Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, as well as the Environment and Water Agency; the Spanish Institute of Oceanography; AZTI; the University of Alicante; the Polytechnic University of Valencia; the Spanish Fisheries Confederation, SEO/BirdLife and WWF Spain. It is supported by the LIFE Program of the European Union.
