The LIFE medCLIFFS project participated in the ESPARC 2024 Congress, held from May 22 to 26 in the historic town of Sigüenza. This congress, organized by EUROPARC-Spain and the Department of Sustainable Development of the Community Board of Castilla-La Mancha, is the main professional forum dedicated to the planning and management of protected areas in Spain.
Alto Tajo Natural Park Landscape.
The congress provided a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience between researchers and managers in the field of conservation. It was divided into several working groups where they addressed some of the most important current challenges for the management of protected spaces, such as improving ecological connectivity and ecological restoration in order to increase the adaptation capacities to climate change. In one of these groups, they discussed about the importance of adaptive management and anticipating the effects that climate change will have on our ecosystems, the need to establish networks to share pioneering experiences in management and to communicate the meaning of restoration ecological better.
In other groups, other crucial topics were debated, such as the objective of 10% strict protection in Spain, sustainable tourism, the challenge of rural depopulation, the connection between nature and human well-being and health, or the communication of the role of the protected areas. In the minutes of the congress, which will be available shortly, you can read all the conclusions of this year’s workshops, as well as those of previous congresses.
Maria Guirado from the Girona Provincial Council and Arnau Bosch Guiu, project technician, in front of the LIFE medCLIFFS project stand at the experiences market.
Our project technician, Arnau Bosch Guiu, gave a presentation titled “Improving the management of invasive plant species through spatial risk modeling: perspectives from the LIFE medCLIFFS initiative.” During his speech, he detailed the innovative methods that the project is implementing to predict the risk of establishment, persistence and dispersal of invasive species on Mediterranean cliffs. This methodology was presented to publicize the models and practical tools for the management of protected areas that are being applied within the framework of the project, and that are exportable throughout the Mediterranean.
The market of experiences was also a key component of the congress, where Maria Guirado, heritage technician from the Provincial Council of Girona, presented various initiatives and results of the project, interacting with attendees and sharing information on strategies for the eradication of invasive species, in special on the biological control of the prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) with a species of scale insect (Dactylopius opuntiae). This exchange of experiences allowed the conference participants to learn more about the innovations and achievements of the project, strengthening collaboration networks and dissemination of good practices.
Alto Tajo Natural Park Landscape.
In addition, there were various field excursions that offered a unique opportunity to observe first-hand conservation and restoration strategies in action. Among the featured activities, participants visited the Barranco del Río Dulce Natural Park, where Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente established his filming camp and recorded many of his famous shots, and the Alto Tajo Natural Park; where one of the most extensive river gorge systems in Spain is located. During these excursions they were able to see practical examples of invasive species management and habitat restoration. These visits demonstrated the effectiveness of the techniques presented and fostered collaboration between the professionals present.
Group of managers and researchers attentive to the explanation of the natural management methods used in the Alto Tajo Natural Park.
In short, the project team has left the congress with new ideas, strategic allies and renewed energy to continue its work in the conservation of the Mediterranean cliffs. Additionally, we want to thank all the organizers and participants who made this conference possible. We continue working towards a future with healthier and more resilient ecosystems.
