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As stated in the new National Climate Change Adaptation Plan, Spain, due to its geographical location and socioeconomic characteristics, faces significant risks derived from climate change and key sectors of our economy, such as agriculture, forestry, tourism and transportation, are closely dependent on the climate. Therefore, the actions carried out by the Mediterranean Wildlife Foundation (FVSM) to increase the resilience of the ecosystems of the biological reserve of Ariant against the negative effects of climate change, are a great contribution, through the protection of the Mallorcan black vulture colony, the improvement of the state of the forest masses of the reserve or the application of new agricultural and livestock practices.

The purpose of the project has been to implement measures to adapt to climate change, in order to increase the resilience of the ecosystems of the Ariant biological reserve against its negative effects, through:

• Improvement of forest stands.
• Protection of the black vulture colony.
• Fire fighting.
• Raising awareness among the local population.

• Monitoring of the black vulture colony in the biological reserve of Ariant and other farms in custody of the territory: reproductive cycle and breeding success.
• Improving feed availability for the future: maintenance and monitoring of feeding troughs in strategic areas.
• Analysis of the availability of the most accessible water points in the black vulture breeding areas of Ariant and Ternelles, which act as a watering place and a place to cool off in summer.
• Improvement of forest health: elimination of diseased trees, selective pruning, reforestation, pest control, etc.
• Encouraging the natural germination of holm oaks: protection of seedlings in situ to prevent herbivory and cultivation of seedlings ex situ, in nurseries from wild collected seeds.
• Exclusion of goats to avoid herbivore pressure: repair of fences and hunting of feral goats.
• Fire management: creation and maintenance of firebreaks with livestock.
• Signing of an agreement with the Balearic Institute of Nature (IBANAT) for the use of the new wildlife pond against fires.
• Cleaning of flammable material: stubble, dead branches, etc.
• Planting of rainfed fruit trees.
• Gradual change from Merino/illede France sheep breed to the autochthonous Mallorcan breed.
• Improved water availability.
• Improved water availability through soil reclamation on 2.5 hectares of natural pasture.
• Habitat enhancement for the reserve’s native honey bee population and other pollinators.
• Promotion of environmental volunteering.
• Dissemination of the project’s actions through various channels.
• Specific information on the FVSM website on climate change and project actions.
• Inclusion of the negative effects of climate change and possible adaptations of ecosystems and species, within the educational program of the FVSM.
• Sending a report with the results of the project to the relevant authorities.

The project “Adaptation to climate change in the ariant biological reserve” consisted of the implementation of measures to adapt to climate change in agrosilvopastoral management in a mountain farm located on the island of Majorca and the conservation of its natural heritage.

In a cross-cutting manner, the entity was committed to the transfer of knowledge to the general public through the dissemination of the project and environmental volunteering. The project has improved the condition of the forest masses of the Ariant estate both ecologically and in terms of fire prevention, thus reducing their vulnerability to the threats of climate change.

In addition, agricultural and livestock farming practices adapted to the biogeographical and climatic conditions of the area were included to ensure the sustainability of the management model being developed. In addition, the project contributed by providing more knowledge to understand the vulnerabilities affecting a key species for the Ariant ecosystem, the black vulture.

Among the results obtained, the following stand out:

• A natural recharge water point has been included in the Tramuntana Centre-Nord (Mallorca) regional plan, located in the Ariant biological reserve, to be used by firefighting planes in case of need.
• There has been a gradual shift of livestock to native breeds, much better adapted to the biogeographical and climatic conditions of the area.
• Native equine livestock (Balearic donkey) has been incorporated to carry out silvicultural work.
• 3.4 hectares of natural pastures suffering from compaction and lack of organic matter have been recovered by planting organic seeds.
• Habitat for the reserve’s native honey bee population and other pollinators has been improved by planting natural hedgerows with a diversity of honey and polliniferous plants.