Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Region of Murcia

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2022

Duration:

01/07/2022 - 31/12/2025

Typology:

Ecological restoration

Total budget:

1,810,226.44 euros

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

1,719,715.00 euros (95%)

Coordinating entity:

ANSE Foundation

The Mar Menor, one of the largest hypersaline coastal lagoons in Europe, is in a very high state of deterioration as a result of various human activities that have destroyed many of its riparian habitats and eutrophicated its waters, in breach of different state and European regulations, with environmental, social and economic consequences that require effective solutions and extensive recovery measures.

The project proposes the restoration of 16 hectares of the Mar Menor coastline, a lagoon with serious eutrophication problems. To this end, the creation of green employment will be promoted with the implementation of an abandoned salt mine and the creation of new tourist niches with the restoration of 6 hectares of sand. In the case of the salt flats, 8 hectares will be rebuilt, infrastructures will be acquired to guarantee the sustainability of the project and another 2 hectares of adjacent salt marshes will be restored. In the case of the sandbanks, public lands that are currently invaded by exotic flora will be restored and guarded.

RESALAR proposes the restoration of 16 hectares of coastline, dune ecosystems and salt flats in the Mar Menor, promoting the generation of employment. Firstly, 8 ha of the Marchamalo salt flats will be rebuilt for the recovery of salt activity, including improvements to the habitat that allow compatibility between salt extraction and the occupation of species of waterfowl and native fish such as the fartet (Aphanius Iberus), in danger of extinction. In addition, 2 ha of land adjacent to the salt flats will be restored, which include the rehabilitation of a salt warehouse and the land on which it is located for the storage and marketing of salt and as an interpretation center, as well as the restoration of abandoned land, where it is planned to eliminate invasive exotic species and restore with native plant species of salt marshes. These restoration actions will be complemented by actions in another 6 ha of dune ecosystems, where invasive exotic species will be removed and native species will be planted. Additionally, the viability of flat oyster farming as a bioremediator in the Mar Menor will be evaluated, assessing its suitability for human consumption. Finally, the participation, training and transfer of knowledge of the project will be ensured through the organization of training courses, participatory and formative workshops and seminars.