Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Lleida, Barcelona and Girona (Catalonia), Huesca (Aragon), Navarre (Navarre)

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2024

Duration:

01/01/2024 - 31/12/2025

Typology:

Comprehensive projects for the recovery of mosaic/landscape multifunctionality (extensive livestock farming, agroforestry, etc.).

Total budget:

1,119,632.12 euros

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

1,063,650.51 euros

The rural exodus and abandonment of extensive livestock farming produces landscapes that are more homogeneous, less diverse and less resilient to the effects of climate change such as fires. Depopulation in rural Spain mainly affected small municipalities, often poorly communicated and with few job opportunities. All this has led to the disappearance of herds and shepherds in many areas, which in the long run leads to ecological problems (homogenization of the landscape, risk of fires, loss of biodiversity) and economic problems (loss of a sustainable resource).

In order to promote the bioeconomy, ecological transition, adaptation to climate change and the fight against rural depopulation, extensive livestock farming and its potential as green infrastructure in protected areas of one of the most depopulated areas of the NE of the peninsula, the Pre-Pyrenees, is being promoted. Special attention is given to the ecosystem services of pastoralism and the social vindication of the pastoralist profession.

The disappearance of extensive herds causes ecological problems (homogenization of the landscape, risk of fires, loss of biodiversity), economic problems (loss of a sustainable resource) and social problems (depopulation of the territory).

The main objective is to recover extensive grazing in the Spanish pre-Pyrenees, to promote the bioeconomy of the territory, the ecological transition, and the fight against rural depopulation and the gender gap.

It scales to three levels:

1) Montsec and Boumort mountain ranges: a comparison will be made between the current and historical situation. Information on pastoral potential, fire prevention, biodiversity or social interest will be added. GIS technology for multi-criteria analysis will be used to determine areas for action. In five of these areas, herds will be managed according to ecosystemic criteria.

2) Pre-Pyrenees of Lleida: tools will be developed to help administrations and individuals to promote grazing: pasture bank, model contract, manual of good practices, tourism activities and quality brand of livestock products.

3) Spanish Pre-Pyrenees: Statistical study to estimate the extent of grazing recovery based on the results obtained in the other two zones.

• Collection of information and creation of GIS layers of current and historical grazing areas.
• Identification of the problems of extensive livestock farming and possible solutions.
• Multi-criteria analysis of priority areas for the promotion of extensive grazing, with benefits in fire prevention and biodiversity.
• Creation of a pasture bank
• Drafting a model lease / custody agreement.
• Publication of a best practices manual.
• Direct management with ecosystemic criteria.
• Tourist and cultural activities around the world of shepherds.
• Marketing and valorization of extensive livestock products.