The University of A Coruña has completed the project “Development of predictive models of the functional connectivity of threatened populations in Special Areas of Conservation”. In this, indicators have been determined for the protection of species threatened by human activity and climate change. The first studies have been in amphibians and reptiles, with the aim of extending it to other species.

The University of A Coruña was a beneficiary in the 2017 Call for Grants for the implementation of projects in the field of adaptation to climate change, for the “Development of predictive models of the functional connectivity of threatened populations in Special Areas of Conservation”. Its purpose is to develop a predictive tool that serves to guide land stewardship actions in Special Protection Areas of the Natura 2000 Network. This makes it possible to optimize the halt to the loss of animal biodiversity, caused by the fragmentation of habitats, of anthropic origin and global climate change.

The study has focused on amphibians and reptiles because they are groups with more sensitivity to environmental change. One species from each group has been used to be indicators of possible effects that could be extended to many other species.

To this end, the complete genomes of two threatened species, Iberolacerta monticola and Chioglossa lusitanica, have been sequenced. Almost fifty individuals of each species have been genetically characterized, for the control and definition of molecular markers. For greater effectiveness of the landscape elements, automatic analysis of satellite images and remote sensing has been carried out.