Objective
The bittern, a species in danger of extinction in Spain, depends on wetlands with reedbeds, and it disappeared from many areas over the past century on account of habitat degradation and hunting. At present, Spain's breeding population is concentrated in thirty-odd sites; the bittern is however also recolonizing certain Mediterranean wetlands. The Navarra population, which accounts for 6% of Spain's total population. occurs along the middle range of the Ebro river in three lagoons designated SPA (two of them have also been designated as Ramsar sites). These lagoons are located in a continental zone with an arid Mediterranean climate.
The main threat to the bittern is habitat loss: degeneration of the reedbeds, which are essential for its nesting, and water pollution are the most urgent problems, but poaching and certain leisure activities also have a negative impact on this bird.
The LIFE project seeks to increase the bittern population along the middle range of the Ebro by restoring its natural habitats and eliminating threats; the overall objective is to build up a network of reserves and elaborate a conservation plan for the species. Measures will principally be oriented towards habitat management, notably of reedbeds. Water levels will be managed, certain lagoons will be restored and channels and bodies of open water created in the reedbeds. Water quality will be kept under control and the numbers of amphibians, fish and aquatic insects, which are the bittern's main food source, are to be increased. Finally, an information campaign on the need to maintain the bittern in the Ebro valley will be carried out.
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
31002 Pamplona
Spain