(Action F.5 Networking with other LIFE and/or non- LIFE projects)

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1 Project Partners DELIVERABLE: Report from the visits of team members to similar projects areas (Action F.5 Networking with other LIFE and/or non- LIFE projects) Kounnamas C. & Nearchou A. Nicosia January 2015 Improving the conservation status of the priority habitat types *1520 and *5220 at the Rizoelia National Forest Park LIFE12 NAT/CY/ The project is co-funded by the European Commission within the framework of LIFE+ programme

2 ACTION F.5: Networking with other LIFE and/or non-life projects DELIVERABLE F.5: Report from the visits of team members to similar projects areas This is the report from the visit of project LIFE-RIZOELIA to Almeria, Andalusia Region in Spain, between 15 th and 18 th of December The visit brought together the project s members with scientists and authority representatives involved in a similar LIFE project in the Andalusia Region. This was the project LIFE00 NAT/E/ (Cabo de Gata - Improvement of the management of the SCI and SPA 'Cabo de Gata-Níjar'). The project lasted for four years (July 2001 June 2005) and was implemented in the SCI/SPA of Cabo de Gata-Níjar. The project aimed to restore the priority habitats within the SCI and increase the capacity of the SPA. These activities were foreseen as part of a comprehensive conservation plan for the area. The project planned to purchase the 'Los Escullos' estate and then replant it with the most valuable species in the area such as the European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), Ziziphus lotus or Rhamnus lycioides subsp. oleoides. It also sought to restore the western end of the Albufera wetland through the installation of a water channel and dyke under the road that would allow water to circulate once again into this area. The salt steppes would be restored by planting a hedge to protect them, installing a dyke and introducing predator-control devices. Finally, access to the wetlands was to be improved and the results of the project widely disseminated. The LIFE-RIZOELIA team visiting Almeria included Mr. Andreas Nearchou (Department of Forests - Coordinating Beneficiary) and Mr. Constantinos Kounnamas (Frederick University). The visit was hosted by Dr. Francisco Javier Cabello Piñar (University of Almeria), and was also facilitated by the Oficina Administrativa Del Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar. Day 1: 16 th December 2014 The first day of the visit focused on the issues faced by Ziziphus plants and the conservation work that was carried in the area. On its way to 'Cabo de Gata-Níjar' Natural Park, the LIFE-RIZOELIA team visited an area where Agave sp. plants had been planted for crop purposes and eventually ended in competing with Ziziphus plants. Furthermore, it was indicated that during the past years, the establishment of greenhouses in Almeria area exponentially increased, thus intensifying irrigation requirements and water pressure on the aquifer. The park includes many areas of private land where greenhouses could have been established; nevertheless, the

3 realization that natural beauty is important for tourism purposes led to the establishment of very few greenhouses (inside the park). The LIFE-RIZOELIA team also visited the area that was purchased through the project and the difficulties faced during the acquiring of the area were explained. The replanting work implemented there was also presented and a discussion on the conservation methods and plants used for the restoration took place. A comparison was made between the planting method applied in the area and LIFE-RIZOELIA project and it was deducted that in the case of Ziziphus plants it is preferable to use plantlets 1-2 years old. Figure 1: The area with the Agave plantation.

4 Figure 2: Visit at Los Escullos area with replanting work. Figure 3: Mild fencing and prohibition signs at sand dunes with Ziziphus stands.

5 Figure 4: Ziziphus lotus stand. Day 2: 17 th December 2014 On the second day of the team s visit, areas with gypsum plant species were visited. The first stop was at Sorbas Natural Park (Karst en Yesos of Sorbas), one of the best preserved Gypsum Karst sites in the world. The area is visited by schools, tourists and locals where the naturally formed caves are the main attraction. The older caves were created after the desiccation of the Mediterranean Sea, while the newer are formed due to run-off water. The flora of the area includes endemic (to Iberian peninsula), sub-endemic and local endemic species like Teucrium turredanum. The quarrying that takes place nearby has been identified as a possible threat to the habitats in the area. Figure 5: New underground caves formed due to run-off water.

6 Figure 6: Quarrying activities (quarry at the back of the picture). The second stop was at a site outside Sorbas Natural Park, where the gypsum habitat consisted of different species (compared to the first stop), with a considerably larger number of Asphodelus sp. found in the area. The third stop of the trip was at Sierra de Alhamilla Natural Area (Paraje Natural Sierra Alhamilla) where a different synthesis of the gypsum plants was presented. Figure 7: Various plant species found at gypsum areas.