Case study:Strengthening associated biodiversity of habitat 92A0 and control of Invasive Alien Species in the Segura River (LIFE + Ripisilvanatura)

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Location: 38° 14' 15.50" N, 1° 37' 10.09" W

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Project overview

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Status	Complete
Project web site	http://https://www.chsegura.es/chs/cuenca/seguraripisilvanatura
Themes	Habitat and biodiversity, Hydromorphology, Land use management - agriculture, Monitoring
Country	Spain
Main contact forename	Jaime
Main contact surname	Fraile
Main contact user ID
Contact organisation	Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura
Contact organisation web site	http://https://www.chsegura.es/chs/cuenca/seguraripisilvanatura/
Partner organisations	Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia (Subdirección General de Medio Natural); Universidad de Murcia (Departamentos de Ecología e Hidrología, y de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Biología); Asociación de Naturalistas del Sureste - ANSE; Ayuntamiento de Calasparra & Ayuntamiento de Cieza.
Parent multi-site project	LIFE+ RIPISILVANATURA (LIFE13 BIO/ES/1407)
This is a parent project encompassing the following projects	No

Project picture

Project summary

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Despite the Segura River makes its way in many through unique vegetation in many sections of the stream, the riverside or riparian forest (ripisilva) is in serious danger due to the threat of invasive species which are gradually occupying its space. LIFE project "Ripisilvanatura" aims to control the expansion of Invasive Exotic Species existing on the riverbanks of the Segura River and promote the colonization of the riparian forest by native species.

As mentioned before, the main objective is to promote the recovery of the riparian forest, specifically of the habitats of Community interest 92A0 and 92D0 as well as their associated main habitats in the most degraded area of that habitat through the Segura River which is located after the largest reservoir of the entire basin (Cenajo reservoir). It is an area of maximum condition and progressive deterioration of the habitat corresponding to the Vega Alta del Segura in Moratalla, Calasparra and Cieza. To achieve this goal, the project aims to fight against Invasive Alien Species (IAS) since they have colonized the original niche of such habitat. AIS are the key actors of the substantial problem for the River Segura in the Region of Murcia; the loss of primary habitat is an advantage for opportunistic species of both fauna and flora, entailing an obvious loss of the rich biodiversity that was traditionally linked to the Salicaceae and Populus ripisilva. Thus the main strategy pursues the recovery and protection of riparian forests from the middle course of the river basin in the stretch including the municipalities of Moratalla, Calasparra and Cieza by controlling invasive alien species primarily within the habitats listed as “priority” because the species of fauna that are the subject of this project find their niche in these habitats.

Fulfilment of the following specific objectives set will enable the success of the project:

• Creation of a green infrastructure between the two riparian nature reserves of the region.

• Regeneration and protection of the priority habitats of community interest and the habitats of interest associated with the river.

• Protection and conservation of priority and European special protection fauna.

• Elimination of invasive exotic plant species through hands-off management.

• Removal of ichthyofauna and exotic birds via citizen engagement and the competent administration.

• Prevention and eradication of fires along the riverbed.

• Creation of a Land Stewardship Network for the Vega Alta.

• Provision of ITCs as a very versatile tool for the fight against IAS and biodiversity conservation.

• Generation of protection measures for the threatened pre-existing ripisilva clumps.

• Publication of an Integrated Management and Control Strategy on Invasive Alien Species

Monitoring surveys and results

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Surveys have been carried out to study biodiversity indicators focused on five components:

- indigenous riparian habitats and their ecological quality (vegetation

- Physicochemical water quality

- Aquatic macroinvertebrates and quality index

- Riparian birds

- Semi-aquatic vertebrates: Otter (Lutra lutra) and water rat (Arvicola sapidus)

In addition, other faunistic taxa(amphibians and reptiles, bats and molluscs) have been incorporated as a goal of monitoring.

Lessons learnt

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The project has contributed to the control and monitoring of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the study area, mainly exotic Galapagos, as well as the replacement of vegetation on riversides of the Segura River from non-native to native. During the project, different trial management techniques have been carried out for the eradication of giant reed (Arundo donax) and exotic Galapagos (Trachemys scripta). The exotic Galapagos and other exotic species specimens captured during the surveys have been transferred to the Wildlife Recovery Center for management.

The implementation of the different actions has been developed through the participation of volunteers involved in the project. They have contributed to the plantations, removal of IAS from the river, installation of bat boxes and riparian birds banding activities.

The immediate occupation by riparian vegetation returns the river to its natural condition. Among its multiple benefits this status does not promote the spread of fires and gives shelter to numerous native species.

Another achievement of the project has been the raise on awareness among the sectors involved in animals’ sale. Formative talks about the impact that IAS have on rivers have taken place along the project term to put across the message to actual owners and future buyers.

Image gallery

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Scope of action

Riparian vegetation cultivared at the nursery

Volunteering planting action

Mediterranean Galapagos (left) vs. Exotic Galapagos (right)

Catchment and subcatchment Select a catchment/subcatchment Edit the catchment and subcatchment details (affects all case studies in this subcatchment) Catchment River basin district C. H. Segura River basin Segura Subcatchment River name Segura Area category more than 10000 km² Area (km2) 1887018,870 km² <br />1,887,000 ha <br /> Maximum altitude category 1000 - 2000 m Maximum altitude (m) 14131,413 m <br />1.413 km <br />141,300 cm <br /> Dominant geology Ecoregion Ibero-Macaronesian Dominant land cover Waterbody ID Other case studies in this subcatchment: LIFE Segura Riverlink (Through rivers), Segura's River Bioremediation Site Edit site Name Río Segura desde Almadenes hasta Ojós (SEG7) y Río Segura desde el embalse del Cenajo hasta Almadenes (SEG6) WFD water body codes WFD (national) typology R-T14 & R-T16 WFD water body name Segura River Pre-project morphology Reference morphology Desired post project morphology Heavily modified water body No National/international site designation All - multiple designations across the site Local/regional site designations Habitats of Community Interest Protected species present Yes Invasive species present Yes Species of interest To remove (IAS): Exotic Galapagos (Trachemys scripta) and Giant reed (Arundo Donax) Dominant hydrology Dominant substrate River corridor land use Intensive agriculture (arable), Plantation forestry, Urban Average bankfull channel width category Average bankfull channel width (m) Average bankfull channel depth category Average bankfull channel depth (m) Mean discharge category Mean annual discharge (m3/s) Average channel gradient category Average channel gradient Average unit stream power (W/m2) Project background Edit project background Reach length directly affected (m) 5700057,000 m <br />57 km <br />5,700,000 cm <br /> Project started 2014/09/01 Works started Works completed Project completed 2019/08/31 Total cost category 1000 - 5000 k€ Total cost (k€) Benefit to cost ratio Funding sources EU co-financing (49.75%). Cost for project phases Phase cost category cost exact (k€) Lead organisation Contact forename Contact surname Investigation and design Stakeholder engagement and communication Works and works supervision Post-project management and maintenance Monitoring Reasons for river restoration Edit reasons for restoration Mitigation of a pressure Invasive species, Riparian development Hydromorphology Structure & condition of riparian/lake shore zones, Quantity & dynamics of flow Biology Physico-chemical Other reasons for the project Removal of AIS of flora and fauna and recovery of the riparian forest for habitats of Community interest Measures Edit Measures Structural measures Bank/bed modifications Planting of native species, Removal of invasive plants, Restoring riparian vegetation, Structuring of shoreline Floodplain / River corridor Alloctone species control, Vegetation management Planform / Channel pattern Other Non-structural measures Management interventions Management of undesirable plant species, Implementation of best practice land & soil management, Promotion of riparian vegetation and natural re-growth of bankside, Riparian tree planting, Removal of invasive species Social measures (incl. engagement) Volunteer engagement, Creation of a Land Stewardship Network, Community education (talks and workshops) Other Monitoring Hydromorphological quality elements Edit Hydromorphological quality elements Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Structure & condition of riparian/lake shore zones Yes Yes No Yes Yes Improvement Biological quality elements Edit biological quality elements Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Invertebrates Yes Yes Yes No Yes Awaiting results Physico-chemical quality elements Edit Physico-chemical quality elements Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Any other monitoring, e.g. social, economic Edit Other responses Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Bat Survey Yes No No Yes Yes Awaiting results Mammel survey Yes Yes Yes No Yes Improvement Terrestrial mollusks Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Awaiting results Birds Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Improvement Macroinvertebrates (IBMWP) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No change Habitat mapping Yes No Yes Yes Yes Improvement Connectivity [Lateral & Vertical] Yes Yes Yes No Yes No change Water Quality (Conductivity, Total suspended solids (TSS), Nitrates) Yes Yes Yes No Yes Improvement Monitoring documents Upload monitoring documents Initial assessment Annual monitoring and evaluation (2016) Annual monitoring and evaluation (2017) Additional documents and videos Upload additional documents Riverbanks restoration handbook for the Segura river basin Works within the Segura River project site (Calasparra and Cieza). Clearing and cleaning of invasive giant reed and replacement of riverbank forest Additional links and references Edit links and references Link Description http://https://exoticasinvasoras.carm.es/ Map that gives information on the geographic location of alien species detected on the Region of Murcia. New observations could be uploaded using the App "Exóticas Murcia" (Android only) http://https://twitter.com/ripisilvanatura Twitter profile of the project http://https://www.facebook.com/ripisilvanatura/ Facebook profile of the project http://http://www.chsegura.es/export/descargas/cuenca/seguraripisilvanatura/docsdescarga/5-Codigo-Buenas-Practicas-Agricolas-Ripisilva.pdf Code of environment-friendly farming practices. http://http://www.chsegura.es/export/descargas/cuenca/seguraripisilvanatura/docsdescarga/6-Protocolo-EXOTICAS.pdf Action protocol on the detection of alien invasive species of fauna in riparian habitats http://http://www.murcianatural.carm.es/c/document library/get file?uuid=f16a3176-140f-496c-bbb5-c154087c1b47&groupId=14 Learning guide for scholars about the riparian forest Supplementary Information Edit Supplementary Information SEGURA RIPISILVANATURA LISTENS TO YOU! To contact us with any questions, suggestions or for more information please send an email to life.ripisilvanatura@chsegura.es or do it through social networks: Ripisilvanatura on Facebook : Ripisilvanatura Ripisilvanatura on Twitter : @ripisilvanatura