Aragon. Restauration of riparian zone. Stage I and II
Aragon. Restauration of riparian zone. Stage I and II
Key features of the case study
The Soto of El Estajado is downstream Caparroso town. The work area was located on the left Aragon River bank.
The main objective of this project is to increase the quality of habitat in Community Interest Areas, with special attention to European mink (Mustela lutreola).
There are other secondary objectives: Creating new habitats for otter (Lutra lutra) and turtle (Emys orbicularis); quality improvement of habitats 92A0 (willow and black poplar plantation) and 92D0 (tamarisk plantation); spatial planning for cattle; restore the natural riparian vegetation in Aragon River.
Site description
The Soto of El Estajado has an area of 64 hectares. The main surface was occupied by old black poplar plantations and little bad conserved areas of Community Interest Areas 92A0 and 92D0. The area was used for inappropriate cattle.
The actuation area limits with an important community of European mink (Mustela lutreola). The actuations are aimed at preserving this protected species.
Measures selection
With the construction of 2 new irregular ponds (to increase the riverbank length) of 0,3 and 0,15 ha and the plantation of 3 ha of riparian vegetation in their perimeter (habitats 92A0 (willow and black poplar plantation) and 92D0 (tamarisk plantation)), it has been created a new surface of 3,45 ha of Quality Habitat for the European mink (Mustela lutreola). There are new little channels with a slow flow and with shrubs in riverbanks.
New riparian forests and spatial planning for cattle increased the grazing lands, compatibles with conservation, up to 9,15 ha Interest Habitats (92A0 and 92D0).
Success criteria
Ecological response
Vegetation
Riverside vegetation has been restored with species included in habitats 92A0 and 92D0: Salix atrocinerea, Salix alba, Salix eleagnos sbsp. angustifolia, Salix fragilis, Populus alba, Fraxinus angustifolia, Tamarix gallica.
Mammal
The quality of habitat for the European mink (Mustela lutreola) was improved.
Other
The quality of habitat for otter (Lutra lutra) and European turtle (Emys orbicularis) was improved too at the same time as the European mink.
Hydromorphological response
Monitoring before and after implementation of the project
Socio-economic aspects
Project costs
The total costs of the entire project 152.948,34€ (Phase I 82.260,25€ and Phase II 70.688,09€)
Contact person within the organization
Fernando Mendoza, e-mail
Gestión Ambiental Viveros y Repoblaciones de Navarra, S.A.
Padre Adoain, 219 bajo
31015 Pamplona - Navarra
Fax: (00 34) 948 38 23 91
Extra background information
The project was presented by the “Environmental Management for Reintroduction and Repopulation in Navarre” in cooperation with the Government of Navarre’s Environment, Land and Housing Department.
Company’s web page: http://www.gavrn.com
GERVE-LIFE project: http://www.life-gerve.com
INTERREG GIRE project: http://www.interreg-gire.eu
Government of Navarra: http://www.navarra.es
References
http://www.life-gerve.com/eng/portal/index.asp
Related Measures
- Develop riparian forest
- Adjust land use to develop riparian vegetation
- Revegetate riparian zones
- Construct semi-natural/articificial wetlands or aquatic habitats
