View source for Vallacuera ravine. Removal of a dyke.

=Vallacuera ravine. Removal of a dyke.=

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==Key features of the case study==

The dike built in the 80’s after the canalization works carried out in Arga River was removed to recover the natural floodplain in one of the tributaries’ confluence: Vallacuera stream.

The '''main objective''' of this project is to restore the river Arga natural floodplain by removing the dyke and increasing the fluvial territory.<br />

There are other '''secondary objectives''': to increase the quality of habitat in Community Interest Areas, with special attention to European mink (''Mustela lutreola''); creating new habitats for otter (''Lutra lutra'') and European turtle (''Emys orbicularis''); quality improvement of habitats 92A0 (willow and black poplar plantation) and 92D0 (tamarisk plantation); spatial planning for cattle.

==Site description==
The ravine is of great ecological importance since acts as a corridor between the dry steppes located upstream and the fluvial ecosystem. The floodplain restored will be an important transitional area were Mediterranean species dependent on regular floods will develop.<br />
[[Image:Vallacuera.jpg|center|General situation of Vallacuera gully before the actuation]]

==Measures selection==
The main measure was the remove of the dike. With the increase of the floodplain, the objective was to reduce the flood risk in Funes, town located downstream that suffered many floods since the canalization of Arga River was carried out in the 80’s.<br />

New plantations were increased natural riparian vegetation and eliminated non-native  species.<br />

The construction of a new pond increases the biodiversity (''Phragmites sp. '', ''Thypa sp. '') and it’s good for the European mink (''Mustela lutreola'') and the European turtle (''Emys orbicularis'') increasing the habitat carrying capacity for both species.

==Success criteria==

==Ecological response==
===Vegetation===
Riverside vegetation has been restored.
===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==
===Hydrological regime=== 
Unaffected
 	
===River continuity=== 
Improved
 	
===Morphological conditions===
More than 900 metres of dyke have been removed. At least 3,9 has of natural floodplain has been restored for ordinary floods, reducing the flood risk in the downstream town of Funes.

==Monitoring before and after implementation of the project==

==Socio-economic aspects==
====Project costs==== 
The total costs of the entire project 138.840,25€

==Contact person within the organization==
Fernando Mendoza, [mailto:fernando.mendoza@gavrn.com?subject=FORECASTER:%20Proyecto%20Bco_Vallacuera e-mail]

'''Gestión Ambiental Viveros y Repoblaciones de Navarra, S.A.'''<br />
Padre Adoain, 219 bajo<br />31015 Pamplona - Navarra<br />
Fax: (00 34) 948 38 23 91

==Extra background information==
Company’s web page: [http://www.gavrn.com]<br />
GERVE-LIFE project: [http://www.life-gerve.com]<br />
INTERREG GIRE project: [http://www.interreg-gire.eu]<br />
Government of Navarra: [http://www.navarra.es]

==References==
<references/>
http://www.life-gerve.com/eng/portal/index.asp

[[Category:Case_studies]]

== Related Measures ==

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== Related Pressures ==

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