Loss of European Dry Heaths in NW Spain: A Case Study

Pablo Ramil Rego,Hugo López Castro,Javier Ferreiro Da Costa,Castor Muñoz Sobrino,Manuel A Rodríguez Guitián

doi:10.3390/d5030557

Abstract

Natural habitats are continuing to deteriorate in Europe with an increasing number of wild species which are also seriously threatened. Consequently, a coherent European ecological network (Natura 2000) for conservation of natural habitats and the wild fauna and flora (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) was created. Even so, there is currently no standardized methodology for surveillance and assessment of habitats, a lack that it is particularly problematic for those habitats occupying large areas (heathlands, forests, dunes, wetlands) and which require a great deal of effort to be monitored. In this paper we evaluate the changes affecting the European dry heaths (Nat-2000 4030) from the SCI Os Ancares–O Courel (Galicia, NW Spain) during the past decade. High-resolution aerial imagery analyses and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used. Losses of more than 7,000 ha (20.3%) of European dry heaths were computed during the 2003–2011 period in the SCI Os Ancares–O Courel, and also an increase of the degree of fragmentation was demonstrated for this habitat. Paradoxically, major impacts (afforestations, pasturelands) were financed by agri-environmental funds from the EU. Rather than promote biodiversity, these activities have provoked serious damages in this habitat of community interest, which is in complete opposition to the objectives of protection involved in the declaration of the SCI Os Ancares–O Courel.

Highlights

Heathlands are comprised of a few types of vegetation characterized by the dominance of the woody species Erica, Calluna and Daboecia, which are often accompanied by Ulex spp
Following the provisions of Council Directive 92/43/EEC, this paper evaluates the European dry heaths loss occurred by human activity during the period 2003–2011 in a Natura 2000 Site of Community Importance located at the NW Iberia mountains
Due to the limitations imposed by the use of remote sensing data, the assessment of the conservation status of European dry heaths in the study area has been performed evaluating only the first two criteria listed in the Council Directive 92/43/EEC for considering the conservation status of a natural habitat as favorable: ―its natural range and areas it covers within that range are stable or increasing‖; and

Summary

Introduction

Heathlands are comprised of a few types of vegetation characterized by the dominance of the woody species Erica, Calluna and Daboecia, which are often accompanied by Ulex spp Their European distribution mainly ranges from the mountains of the Atlantic countries, Central Europe, and the Mediterranean regions of Iberia. Heathlands play an important role in maintaining the ecological connectivity between ecosystems [9], as they are interspersed and in contact with other types of natural habitats, such as grasslands, forests and wetlands. This connection is essential for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species [10]. This problem was observed by the Council of Europe just before the first European regulations on conservation of habitats were promulgated [31]

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Conclusion