According to the entity, climate change is harshly exposed in our latitudes. According to Asociación Hombre y Territorio, the alteration of rainfall patterns will be especially relevant in priority ecosystems such as temporary lagoons (Habitat 3170) and their associated biodiversity, including amphibians and reptiles (especially aquatic), organisms that are likely to suffer from a significant reduction in the habitat available for them to develop their lives. These organisms provide ecosystem services, maintaining the ecological balance in the bodies of water in which they live (preventing the proliferation of mosquitoes, for example, in the case of amphibians). The green spaces of cities are strategic places to adapt and mitigate these effects, if habitats are favored to support these changes and favor connectivity.
The main objective of the project has been to promote tools for environmental improvement of urban green spaces in relation to amphibians and reptiles.
Specific objectives include:
The project “Tools for the improvement of urban green areas for herpetofauna threatened by climate change” has contributed to generate new habitats in order to promote the presence of amphibians and reptiles in urban green spaces. For this purpose, it has been developed in a restricted access area located in the Alamillo Park in Seville, considered one of the most important green spaces in Andalusia.
As part of the project, 6 new ponds have been created and another existing one has been restored. After the start-up of the ponds, habitats have been generated and the settlement of different species of fauna and flora has been facilitated, in a coordinated restoration and regeneration action. Also, the following species have been inventoried; common frog (Pelophylax perezi), Iberian painted toad (Discoglossus galganoi), San Antonio frog (Hyla arborea), galllipato (Pleurodeles waltl), viperine snake or water snake (Natrix maura), as well as invasive exotic species that have withdrawn from the ponds, including; exotic pond turtles and fish of the genus Gambusia. The project has contributed to mitigating the effects of climate change on freshwater ecosystems on which many species of wildlife, such as amphibians and aquatic reptiles, depend, as the seasonal rainfall regime has now been significantly altered in Mediterranean climate environments such as the city of Seville. On the other hand, it is stressed by the initiative that Mediterranean temporary ponds are considered a priority among the types of habitat of community interest (Habitat 3170) and that all actions aimed at their conservation and the protection of the species of fauna and flora they host contribute to fighting the loss of biodiversity in a context of climate change. In addition, the actions carried out within the framework of the project contribute to the implementation of the National Strategy for Green Infrastructure and Ecological Connectivity and Restoration, by favouring the installation of temporary water points in urban environments and peri-urban areas that can help to increase functional and structural connectivity between amphibian populations. reptiles and other species associated with freshwater ecosystems, and thus facilitate the increase of biodiversity.
Urban green space enhancement tools for herpetofauna threatened by climate change