Objective
The principal objective of the project is to restore the ecological dynamics of the wetland, in order to simultaneously ensure the preservation of this natural area and maintain its attractivity for the tourists visiting the site. The planned regeneration measures include restoring the hydrological circulation of fresh and saline water within the site, cleaning up the rubbish and debris, restricting access and re-establishing the original vegetation. A visitor centre near the site will be fitted with information panels about the marsh and the species occurring there.
Wetlands are extremely rare in the Canary Islands and the Playa del Mattoral marsh is one of the few which do occur. This coastal wetland is located in the southern part of Fuerteventura island, east of the Jandia Peninsula. Cut off from the sea by a sandspit, it covers a hundred hectares and is regularly inundated by seawater and occasionally by freshwater from the infrequent showers. The site is covered by halophytic vegetation; it is a stopover and staging point for migrating birds, particularly waders and shore-dwelling species. The Canary Islands government has designated it a priority site.
The development of tourism over the past decades has contributed to the degeneration of the site, which is pockmarked by rubbish dumps and mounds of debris. The building of infrastructure has disturbed and interrupted site hydrology while visitors and their vehicles circulate in the protected area without any restriction. These impacts are gradually leading to a change in the composition of the vegetation and the site is losing its wetland character.
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
35628 Pajara
Spain