Abstract
In line with the Urban Agenda for the EU, this article highlights the importance of local actions in the conservation of biodiversity, both through specific activities and by increasing the availability of information. As such, the policies and projects related to the conservation of biodiversity have been analyzed here at different levels and, in particular, the initiatives undertaken in the Madrid Region, Spain. Consequently, two cases are presented that demonstrate the role that local administrations can play in improving the biodiversity database, and hence, in the effective protection of areas of significant environmental value. First, we will examine the effects that creating an environmental inventory of vegetation, flora and landscape has had in Torrelodones. Second, among the more recent environmental policies implemented in the municipality of Madrid are those that resulted in the environmental recovery of the urban section of the Manzanares River. Both these actions demonstrate how local authorities can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity at relatively low expense and in line with EU guidelines. Notably, this occurred despite the fact that competences in environmental matters in Spain are not municipal. In this context, the paper reflects on the untapped potential of the General Urban Planning Plans (PGOU) in deep knowledge and sustainable and responsible management of municipal environmental values.
Highlights
Climate change and overexploitation of natural resources are causing a rapid loss of biodiversity in all of the planet’s ecosystems [1,2]
After reviewing the available documentation and legislation on biodiversity and conservation, a total of 5 regulatory documents were found at a European level, 10 at a national level and 5 at a regional level (Table 2)
On the European scale, the five documents that have the strongest impact are the directives regarding the protection of habitats and birds, and the recently updated EBS, together with the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity
Summary
Climate change and overexploitation of natural resources are causing a rapid loss of biodiversity in all of the planet’s ecosystems [1,2]. The accelerated reduction in local populations of fauna and flora has a domino effect on the functioning of ecosystems and on human well-being [3,4]. In this context, the current health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic is further dramatic evidence that the risk of the emergence and spread of infectious diseases increases as biodiversity is destroyed [5,6]. In Europe, land artificialization over the last two decades has been very dramatic, mainly as a result of urbanization. Maximum values for this process were recorded between 2000 and 2006, with an average of 1000 km2 /year, and there has been a downward trend since the average
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