Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Álava, A Coruña, Bizkaia, Guipúzcoa, Lugo and Pontevedra

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2022

Duration:

01/09/2022 - 31/12/2025

Typology:

Extensive livestock farming

Total budget:

1,649,344.23 euros

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

1,563,418.25 euros (94.79%)

Coordinating entity:

University of A Coruña

Traditional extensive livestock activities are closely linked to the conservation of mountain ecosystems of high conservation value (FAGÚNDEZ et al., 2016; BLANCO-ARIAS, et al., 2019; OREKA MENDIAN, 2021). But today, only 15-25% of the agricultural lands of high natural value that were once managed in an extensive regime remain (Olmeda et al., 2014). The EEA report (2013-2018) concludes that habitats that depend on extensive agricultural practices, such as mountain pastures, heaths or peatlands (some priority habitats according to Annex I DC 92/43/EEC), have an unfavourable conservation status in the Atlantic region. The causes are the changes in the management and abandonment of extensive livestock farming, with the reactivation of this socio-economic activity being essential for its conservation.

According to the results of the LIFE IN COMMON LAND and OREKA MENDIAN projects, extensive livestock farming contributes to the maintenance of numerous ecosystem services and, in order to prevent its progressive abandonment, it is necessary to promote the value of both this socio-economic activity and its derived products in society.

The conservation of mountain ecosystems is closely linked to the maintenance of traditional extensive livestock activities. Currently, only between 15 and 25% of agricultural lands of high natural value maintain this management. The project will create an Integrated System for the Promotion of the Bioeconomy aimed at the conservation of the habitats in which they carry out their activity. The revaluation of these livestock activities and their products will improve the viability of farms and the quality of life of rural actors.

The project proposes to map and characterize socioeconomically, legally and administratively the traditional activities in these enclaves, evaluating their state of conservation. In addition, livestock management plans will be implemented based on conservation results, with indicators, measures and recommendations for livestock management that promote the rural bioeconomy, and ecological restoration actions will be carried out (clearing, elimination of exotic forest species, closures, drinking troughs, etc.) and monitoring of the evolution of the HICs, analysing the benefits derived from conservation-based management. At the same time, it is planned to create a Work Network that promotes the design of tools to promote the bioeconomy (valorization and marketing of products, ecotourism, etc.), while encouraging the creation of networks with other projects and the replication and transfer of the results and lessons learned.

The implementation of the project foresees having 79,329 ha of HICs mapped and where traditional activities of interest have been identified, in 21,286 ha, of which it is also planned to evaluate their state of conservation and implement management plans, implementing concrete restoration actions in 380 ha. It is expected to have 90 owners and producers in the Network, certifying 15 products under the Natura 2000 seal or other similar ones, and implementing 8 training and advisory courses, 2 training visits to other successful experiences and 1 ecotourism day.