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According to the entity, the Omaña and Luna Valleys Biosphere Reserve (RBVOyL) is a clear example of a rural mountain territory. They point out that depopulation and low economic activity make this protected area particularly vulnerable to the loss of biodiversity and the economic activity linked to it due to the impact on the decrease in the availability of water resources associated with the effects of climate change. In addition, the possibility of adapting services to the population and natural resources for economic activity linked to the primary sector to climate change, give the territory an opportunity to maintain its character as a laboratory for sustainability granted by UNESCO. The entity points out that carrying out this applied research with companies, universities and other entities in the territory, supported by the social participation processes active in the RBVOyL and the projects contemplated in the management plan, give strength to the proposal presented. Likewise, the Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves ensures the transfer of knowledge to other territories with similar characteristics.

The main objective of the project has been to establish basic criteria for the impact of the decrease in water resources on the management and sustainable use of natural resources and the conservation of biodiversity in high and medium mountain rural territories.

Specific objectives include:

• To know the use of water resources in supply and sanitation in the RBVOyL and its impact on the availability for the management and sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity conservation.
• To study the effects of changes in water availability on the conservation of biodiversity in the territory, on the viability of different types of industries linked to the primary sector and on the survival of population centers in rural areas in high and medium mountain areas.
• Revise and adapt the strategic plan of the RBVOyL to the criteria established by the National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change (PNACC), being constituted as the RBVOyL’s climate change adaptation plan.
• Facilitate public-private collaboration agreements for the implementation of strategic actions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, involving the private sector as a strategic partner (technical and financial support, economic activities, etc.).
• Provide a framework for collaboration and exchange of experiences between the network of Biosphere Reserves (RRBB) and, potentially, mountain municipalities outside the network.

• Collection of quantitative and qualitative information on supply and sanitation in the population centers of the RBVOyL.
• Development of best practices in the construction and management of traditional ports.
• Monitoring of mowing meadow plots.
• Monitoring of plots planted with 4 species of native aromatic and medicinal plants.
• Monitoring of apiaries and beekeeping farms.
• Proposal for a climate change adaptation plan.
• Development of the “Guardians of the Biosphere” school program.
• Citizen Science in the RBVOyL. Phenological monitoring.
• Citizen science in the RBVOyL. Nocturnal butterflies.
• Dissemination and communication of the project.

The Somos Agua project has increased knowledge about the use of water resources in the supply and sanitation in the villages of the Valles de Omaña y Luna Biosphere Reserve (RBVOyL) by conducting surveys of presidents of neighborhood councils, mayors of municipalities and other administrations. competent. The effects of changes in water availability on biodiversity conservation have been studied by monitoring 3 plots of mowing meadow and the viability of the cosmetics industry and beekeeping has been analysed with the monitoring of plots planted with 4 species of aromatic plants and 3 apiaries. To highlight the relevance of traditional irrigation ports, informative sessions have been held with experts that have made it possible to draw up a catalogue of good practices in their construction and management. These actions have sought to facilitate public-private collaboration agreements for the implementation of strategic actions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

On the other hand, the RBVOyL Climate Change Adaptation Plan has been prepared through the revision of the RBVOyL strategic plan from the point of view of the new PNACC 2021-2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a participatory process for its definition and approval.

The project has a strong participatory character, using citizen science as a means to generate a phenological monitoring of the territory and to develop a guide of nocturnal butterflies of the RBVOyL. To this end, 3 butterfly sampling workshops have been carried out and we have participated in the I and II Biomarathon of Spanish Flora. In addition, as part of the “Guardians of the Biosphere” educational program, up to 14 days have been held in two schools to raise environmental awareness among students through phenological monitoring and garbage collection.