introdution - Junta de Castilla y León

LIFE PROJECT 04/NAT/ES/000036
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN THE
DURATON RIVER CANYON NATURAL PARK
INDEX
Introdution
5
1. DURATON RIVER CANYON NATURAL PARK: 7
2. LIFE PROJECT 04/NAT/ES/000036
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN THE DURATON
RIVER CANYON NATURAL PARK
13
3. ACTIONS PERFORMED IN THE LIFE PROJECT
04/NAT/ES/000036 CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
IN THE DURATON RIVER CANYON NATURAL PARK
19
4. THE FUTURE OF DURATON RIVER CANYON NATURAL
PARK: EXPERIENCE AND CONTINUITY
35
5
Introdution
The conservation of our rich natural heritage is one of the commitments assumed by Castilla and Leon Government. This preservation requires the implementation of both preventive and active
measures. Among the latter there are reclamation actions, adopted
when ecosystems have been degraded by either natural or anthropogenic causes.
The Duraton River Canyon, in the province of Segovia, gathers unique landscape, geological, floristic and faunal features, which justified its declaration as a Natural Park in 1989 and its inclusion in Natura 2000 Network, both as a Site of Importance Community (SCI)
and a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA). In order to strengthen
the action for conservation and restoration of moorland and riparian
vegetation communities, the Regional Environment Agency applied
for a LIFE project. This project was approved by the European Commission in 2004.
The Project, besides having developed conservation, restoration
and management actions, aims to establish a management model,
both for this natural area and for other similar protected sites. A capital part in the Project are the actions of awareness and divulgation
of the features and management of the Area. Thus, this report is
the final issue of this awareness and divulgation actions and it tries
to become a summary of the characteristics of the Natural Park,
the actions undertaken and the obtained results. All these facts will
determine the actions to develope in the future that will give a continuity to the project, guaranteeing the preservation of this valuable
natural area.
1
DURATON RIVER CANYON NATURAL
PARK: NATURAL VALUES
9
Natural features
The natural Park “Duraton River Canyon” is situated to the northeast of the province of Segovia. Its 5.037 hectares are included in the municipalities of Sebulcor,
Carrascal del Rio and Sepulveda, with the villages of Villar de Sobrepeña, Villaseca
and Castrillo de Sepulveda.
The climate is Mediterranean, characterized by a significant degree of continentality and an intense and prolonged summer drought.
One of the most characteristic values of the park is the spectacular scenery of the
River Duraton Canyon. The quality and diversity of flora and fauna is directly related to the variety of present habitats:
Moorlands, situated on the highest part of the canyon, they are
characterized by the frequent presence of rocky outcrops and a poor
and austere vegetal cover, very
degraded by human action and severely limited by the shallow soils
and the harsh continental climate.
There can be found vegetal communities with thyme (Thymus sp.),
Lavender (Lavandula sp.) and salvia (Salvia sp.), that share space
with the juniper-enebral unevenly
distributed.
Fig.-01. Moorland
In areas with low shrub formations
and gentle slope, Dupont’s lark
(Chersophilus duponti) can be located, with other alaudids such as
the skylark (Alauda arvensis), the
greater short-toed lark (Calandrella brachydactyla), the crested lark
(Galerita cristata) and the woodlark (Lullula arborea).
Fig.-02. Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti)
Pine communities can be found
on the sands at the southwest quadrant of the park, with large stands
of resin-pine (Pinus pinaster). In
the southeast of the park less ex-
10
tensive afforestations of black pine
(Pinus nigra) take place.
These forests host a high diversity
of birds, highlighting the raptors
such as the black kite (Milvus migrans), the short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus), the booted eagle
(Hieraaetus pennatus), the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and
the owl (Asio otus).
Cliffs, whose countless ledges
and crevices, are settled by very
original plant communities, with
species such as “shoes of the virgin” (Sarcocapnos enneaphylla), black hawthorn (Rhamnus sp.), daffodils (Narcissus sp.) Sedum species, ferns (Asplenium sp.), malling toadflax (Chaenorhinum
origanifolium, etc.).
Fig.-03. Common buzzard
(Buteo buteo) chick in the pine forest.
Fig.-04. Cliffs
11
The great treasure of the cliffs is
represented by birds. Caves and
flaps provide a nesting place for
many raptors: vulture (Gyps fulvus), Egyptian vulture (Neophron
percnopterus), eagle owl (Bubo
bubo) and golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). The presence of
chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)
stands out, forming dense colonies.
Fig.-05. Vultures (Gyps fulvus)
Riparian forest (Alnion glutinosoincanae), located at the bottom of
the canyon, is composed by several species of willow (Salix sp.), alder (Alnus sp.)
and ash (Fraxinus sp.), among others. At present, this community is largely replaced by plantations of poplars (Populus sp.) for wood production.
Fig.-06. River banks
12
The vegetal richness of riparian forest provides a wide variety of fauna. Notable
mammals such as the otter (Lutra lutra), the marten (Martes foina) and birds like
the kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), the Dartford warbler (Sylvia undata) and the grey
Heron (Ardea cinerea).
Finally, there must be mentioned a great
cultural value consisting of the frequent
presence of shrines, caves, archaeological sites and cave paintings of doubtless
historical and scientific value.
Fig.-07. Otter (Lutra lutra).
Fig.-08. San Frutos Hermitage
2
LIFE PROJECT 04/NAT/ES/000036
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN THE
DURATON RIVER CANYON NATURAL PARK
LIFE PROJECT 04/NAT/ES/000036
15
“CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN THE DURATON RIVER
CANYON NATURAL PARK”
Fig.-09. Logo of LIFE04/NAT/ES/000036 project
The Park presents a rich, diverse and abundant bird community, with some twenty
species listed in Annex I of Council Directive
79/409/EEC. Among them there must be
mentioned the Egyptian vulture (Neophron
pernocterus), the golden eagle (Aquila
chrysaetos), the booted eagle (Hieraaetus
pennatus), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), the chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), the Dupont’s Lark (Chersophilus duponti) and the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus).
In the case of flora, the residual alluvial forest patches (Alnion glutinoso -incanae), included in Annex I of the Directive men-
Fig.-10. Duraton River Canyon Natural Park
16
tioned above, present a high interest. Regarding fauna, the otter (Lutra lutra) is a
species listed in Annex II of the Directive is and also included in the National Catalogue of Threatened Species -regulated by Decree 439/1990- where it is classified
as a “special interest species”.
These features led to the designation of the park as SPAs (Special Protection Areas
for birds) in October 1990 and subsequently to his proposal as SCI (Sites of Community Importance) for its inclusion in Natura 2000 Network.
In 2004 the Environment Agency of Castilla y Leon Government applies the LIFENature project “Conservation and management in the Natural Park ‘Duraton River
Canyon’” for the European Commission, in order to obtain economical funds to
develope the actions for the habitats and species protection, as well as the awareness and divulgation for both local population and visitors, involving all of them in
the conservation of the area.
What for a LIFE-NATURE?
LIFE projects are financial instruments created by the European Union in 1992 to
contribute the implementation and development of communitarian policy and legislation on environmental matters.
The LIFE-Nature project “Conservation and management in the Natural
Park ‘Duraton River Canyon’”, carries out with the idea of developing a model
of action to ensure sustainable management of this natural area and to serve as a
reference for the management of other natural areas in Castilla y León.
The actions carried out under the LIFE project have been:
1 - Purchase and / or lease of lands within park limits.
2 - Restoration of the prioritaire habitat Alnion glutinoso-incanae.
3 - Restoration of climax vegetation on slopes and moorlands.
4 - Restoration of the habitat of the Dupont’s Lark (Chersophilus duponti).
5 - Control and capture of american mink (Neovison vison).
6 - Collection of chicks in Duraton River.
7 - Census and monitoring of the breeding population of the main species of birds.
8 - Public awareness and divulgation of results.
17
These actions were defined according to the major impacts or threats detected on
this Natural Park.
This LIFE project had an initial duration of 4 years, from October 2004 to September 2008. Thanks to an extension of 13 months, granted to facilitate the achievement of the objectives, the overall duration was of 5 years, until October 2009.
The costs of this Project were equally supported by the European Union and the
Castilla y Leon Government.
Fig-11. Duraton River passing by the Park
3
ACTIONS PERFORMED IN THE LIFE
PROJECT 04/NAT/ES/000036
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
IN THE DURATON RIVER CANYON
NATURAL PARK
21
1- PURCHASE AND/OR LEASE OF LANDS WITHIN PARK LIMITS.
The private character of the land and its excessive fragmentation make difficult to
implement conservation actions in the park by the administration. For this reason,
land purchase resulted to be a suitable alternative to allow a direct management.
There have been acquired properties both in the banks and on the moorland.
NUMBER
MUNICIPALITY
POLYGON
PARCEL
HECTARES
TYPE
1
Sepúlveda
2
94
0,39
River banks
2
Sepúlveda
2
106
1,00
River banks
3
Castrillo de Sepúlveda
8
1
3,69
Moorland
4
Castrillo de Sepúlveda
5
12
6,02
Moorland
5
Castrillo de Sepúlveda
7
5036
0,01
Moorland
6
Castrillo de Sepúlveda
8
10
2,51
Moorland
7
Castrillo de Sepúlveda
5
14
4,90
Moorland
8
Sepúlveda
2
82
0,20
River banks
9
Sepúlveda
2
44
0,25
River banks
10
Castrillo de Sepúlveda
7
9
14,24
Moorland
11
Castrillo de Sepúlveda
5
5069
0,99
Moorland
12
Sebúlcor
1
219
60,43
Moorland
3,52
River banks
13
Villaseca
12
516
0,05
River banks
14
Sepúlveda
2
105
1,67
River banks
15
Sepúlveda
2
220
4,76
River banks
16
Sepúlveda
2
93
2,15
River banks
17
Sepúlveda
2
78
6,76
River banks
18
Sepúlveda
2
224
2,01
River banks
22
Apart from land acquisition there has been carried out a specific collaboration
agreement with Sepulveda Local Council for the recovery and environmental management of three parcels, keeping this commitment during a period of 25 years.
NUMBER
MUNICIPALITY
POLYGON
PARCEL
HECTARES
TYPE
1
Villaseca
13
121
2,17
River banks
2
Villaseca
8
301
9,33
River banks
3
Villaseca
10
151
0,12
River banks
Fig.-12. Plan of acquired and committed parcels
2- Restoration of the autochthonous riparian habitat
(Alnion glutinoso-incanae).
These actions have been developed in areas with scarce tree cover or poplar plantations in poor condition, in order to recover the structure and original composition
of the bank.
The adopted planting design tried to imitate the catenal disposition of vegetation
-with respect to the present river bed- in the best preserved areas and, secondly,
23
seeked the highest species and structural diversity, through the formation
of woods and mosaics of vegetation by
using species such as white willow (Salix alba), ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) and
white alder (Alnus glutinosa), among
others.
Fig-13. Catenal disposition of
vegetation with respect to the river.
Six sites have been restored, three
of them acquired and the other three
under agreement, with a total area of
13,62 hectares.
Fig-14. Acquired parcel before restoration.
Fig.-15. Restoration works (cut of a poplar plantation).
Fig-16 Restoration works (debris grinding)
Fig.-17. Restoration works (plantation)
24
3- Restoration of climax vegetation on slopes and moorlands.
Most of the slopes adjacent to the
floodplain and the moorland on both
sides of the canyon, are occupied by
a scarce and austere vegetation cover, result of anthropogenic degradation. This situation, coupled with the
steep slopes in some areas, some in
excess of 30% values, and the strong
compaction caused by livestock, has
caused high levels of erosion in these
areas.
Fig.-18. Slope access to
San Frutos Hermitage (before)
For this reason it was undertaken the restoration of vegetation cover in the area of access to the Hermitage of San
Frutos, with juniper (Juniperus
thurifera, J. oxycedrus, J. communis), hawthorn (Crataegus
monogyna), sage (Salvia lavandulifolia), thyme (Thymus mastichina) and Cotton Lavender
(Santolina chamaecyparissus).
Fig.-19. Signaling
Fig.-20. Slope access to San
Frutos Hermitage (after)
25
4- Restoration of the habitat of the Dupont’s Lark (Chersophilus duponti).
Dupont’s Lark form, along with the raptors, the most characteristic bird group in
the park. Not surprisingly, its presence was one of the reasons for the designation
of this area as SPAs. This species is classified in the Red Book of Vertebrates in
Spain as a rare species. The biggest threat to this species is the disappearance of
its habitat.
Fig.-21 Acquired Parcel in natural regeneration (year
of purchase).
Fig.-22 The same parce (two years after).
To prevent its disappearance the following actions were undertaken:
• Census to determine the
location of the Dupont’s
Lark populations.
• Monitoring of natural
regeneration of the purchased land, which prevented restoration actions.
• Maintenance and management of grazing.
Fig.-23. Signaling in regeneration parcels.
26
5- Control and capture of american mink (Neovison vison)
The presence of this invasive species and its opportunistic nature -takes shelter
and food resources- creates negative conditions for the existence of the otter (Lutra lutra).
The aim of this action is to reduce the population of American mink (Neovison vison) and to monitor the status of different carnivorous species that inhabit riparian
ecosystems in the park.
The methodology consisted of:
I. Surveys with intensive search of signs (scats, footprints ...)
Number of signs according to species
total
Otter
121
American Mink
12
Marten
15
Badger
3
Genet
8
Fox
1
Wild boar
7
Roe
13
TOTAL
180
Fig.-24. Summary of results of the signs survey made in 2008.
Fig-25. Genet latrine site
Fig.-26 Genet
print
II. Trapping of carnivores
by installing bait boxes for
live capture.
From the results it can be concluded that the American mink
(Neovison vison) is not as abundant as it was in past years and
the otter habitat spreads along
the river, including the dam area
and San Juan river.
Fig-27 Captured American mink (Neovison vison)
27
III. Habitat inventory based on the suitability for different species.
Duraton and San Juan rivers were zoned by the quality of riparian habitat for carnivores.
These streams are occupied by medium-quality areas (3 and 4) with dense and
diverse natural riparian vegetation, riparian bush, alder, poplar, ash, abandoned
poplar plantations, etc. These are forests that host a high diversity of animal species, including riparian carnivores.
Areas of high quality (5) took a few kilometers of the river (3.74 km along both
banks).
Fig-28. Zoning of riparian carnivores habitat
IV. Divulgative workshops for wildlife rangers
Fig.-29 and 30. Divulgative workshops.
28
6- COLLECTION OF VULTURE AND EGYPTIAN VULTURE CHICKS IN
DURATON RIVER.
It was noticed that a significant number of newly hatched chicks fell from the cliffs
to the riverbed, due both to their own inexperience and also to human pressure in
breeding areas.
In order to reduce these mortalities it was acquired material for collection, handling and subsequent transfer of chicks to recovery centers. The work was performed during the breeding period of these birds, with an average annual number of
16 chicks collected.
Fig.-31 and 32. Chicks collection
29
7- CENSUS AND MONITORING OF THE BREEDING POPULATION OF
THE MAIN SPECIES OF BIRDS.
The aim was the understanding of the population dynamics of the bird species
listed in the table below***, as it is a prerequisite to know and set the basis for an
effective protection.
Has been carried out to determine the population size of species, their spatial distribution and temporal evolution, paying particular attention to the birds listed in
Annex I to Directive 79/409/EEC.
The censuses were annually carried out in the period from January to September.
NUMBER OF COUPLES
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Egyptian Vulture
7
8
9
8
8
Golden eagle
1
1
1
2
2
Peregrine Falcon
3
3
3
4
3
Common Kestrel
21
19
19
20
20
Black kite
14
13
19
6
12
Red Kite
1
1
1
0
1
Toed Eagle
2
2
2
2
2
Goshawk
2
2
2
2
2
Hawk
10
12
12
12
12
Buzzard
10
11
10
12
11
Booted Eagle
7
9
9
8
9
Eurasian Hobby
4
4
3
3
3
Scops-owl
10-20
10-20
10-20
10-20
10-20
Eagle Owl
4
4
4
4
4
Little Owl
12
12
12
6-10
6-10
Tawny Owl
0
0
0
2-4
0
Long-eared Owl
5
5
5
2-5
2-5
rock-dwelling raptors
forest raptors
night raptors
30
Fig.-33. Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
Fig.-34. Census.
Fig-35. Booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) with chick.
31
8- Public awareness and divulgation of results.
I. Improving of interpretation conditions of the Natural Park
The aim is to provide the park with signaling by interpretive panels and a sufficient
infrastructure to allow its best knowledge and establish a controlled access to minimize the inconvenience to fauna and flora.
• A “Nature Area” was established near Villaseca bridge, where the following actions were carried out: installation of a fixed information point; preparation of a
parking area for vehicles; conditioning of a perimeter trail and placing of interpretive panels showing the most important natural aspects of the environment.
Fig.-36 y 37 Interpretative signs placed at La Molinilla trail
• Two bird observatories, placed
in Villaseca-San Frutos hermitage
path. The location of these observatories was determined by the developed bird census, that determined this
area as excellent for Dupont’s Lark
(Chersophilus duponti) observation.
Fig-38. Birds observatory
32
• Conditioning of a former sheepfold as a observatory for birds and
different habitats in the park. It is
located in the village of Castrillo de Sepulveda.
Fig-39. Former sheepfold
conditioned as an observatory
• Installation of a video camera for
the griffon vulture observation, an
emblematic species in the Natural Parkthat allows a real-time monitoring in the
Park House (Sepulveda)
II. Diffusion Campaign of the LIFE
Project and its results by the following actions:
• Publishing of materials with two goals:
divulgation for general public and information about land purchase for owners.
• Divulgation through mass media of
the activities and projects financed by
LIFE funds, by press releases or reports.
Fig. 40. Monitoring video camera in the Park House
(Sepulveda)
Fig.-41 Divulgation material
• Production of a presentation for the
diffusion and awareness of the natural
and human values of the Park, indicating the main existing problems, the
measures for prevention and the solu-
Fig-42. Press articles referred to the LIFE Project
33
Fig-43 Activity with the scholar population (Nature Club).
tions adopted. This presentation can be found on the website of the LIFE project.
• Design of a specific program for environmental education, the Nature Club,
adapted to different ages and particularly directed to scholar population of the
immediate surroundings of the Park.
• Creating and maintaining of a website about the project, its objectives and results. The address is the following http://www.jcyl.es/weblos / JCYL / Environment
4
THE FUTURE OF DURATON RIVER CANYON NATURAL PARK: EXPERIENCE AND
CONTINUITY
37
This experience, besides having developed measures of conservation, restoration
and management of protected natural area, has not forgotten other aspects such
as the awareness and diffusion actions. The combination of these aspects creates
a management system with a vocation as a model for other protected natural areas
with similar characteristics.
The conservation in the medium and long term of Duraton River Canyon Natural
Park passes through the maintenance and conservation of the species and their
habitats. On this premise there must be remarked the importance of the continuity
of the following actions:
• Monitoring of bird populations in the park, especially the Dupont’s Lark, through
surveys and other actions such as the recovery of chicks in Duraton river.
• Conservation of the different habitats existing in the park, maintaining the restorations carried out in the properties of the autonomous government and in the
lands agreed with Sepulveda Town Council.
• Preservation of the otter habitat and control of American mink.
• Continuity of the undertaken environmental education campaigns about the need
for conservation of species and habitats in the Park, as the main formula to ensure
awareness of public in general and -especially- local population.
Fig.-44.
Park scenery