Jesús Padrón García, ULPGC
A trip to Fuerteventura island was undertaken on the 26th of April 2024, as part of Marine SABRES research activities, analyzing the results of a LIFE coastal restoration project near a site subject to touristic activity. These sites included Saladar de Jandía, which is designated as a RAMSAR site, as well as a Special Area of Conservation under Natura 2000 and a Site of Scientific Interest according to the Canary Islands network of Protected Natural Spaces. The applicability to other relevant research sites in the Macaronesia was also considered.
As part of this research activity, fieldwork was performed in Saladar de Jandía, testing the success of natural restoration measures in a socioeconomic scenario of intense touristic activity. This included the identification of species of high ecological value, as well as compatible coastal infrastructure. Some of the pressures affecting the site were also identified and later discussed.
Figures 1-3: Appearance of the Saladar de Jandía in Fuerteventura, combining the presence of various equipment and beach infrastructure alongside restoration and conservation efforts towards the ecosystem (Image Credit: Jesús Padrón)
Following this, a meeting with Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve director Tony Gallardo took place, in order to discuss some of the main challenges and the scope of the accomplishments reached by the LIFE restoration project in Saladar de Jandía. This included not only a clear recovery of the shrubland in the area, which was severely degraded prior to this, which added increased value to broader coastal plant communities.
One of the main topics brought up was the potential of halophile vegetation (that can grow optimally in saline environments) to cushion the impact of extreme events promoted by climate change, since many species benefit from sporadic flooding and have tolerance to high levels of salinity, while others can contribute to sediment retention and coastal foredune formation. Likewise, these plant communities can also serve a role encompassing a natural barrier against uncontrolled urban development in coastal areas.
Image 4: Picture taken of Marine SABRES research staff of ECOAQUA’s Biodiversity and Conservation Group, Candy Cecilia and Jesús Padrón, with Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve director Tony Gallardo, who is also a key stakeholder for the Canary Islands in the Macaronesia Demonstration Area in Marine SABRES.
The achievements of the LIFE restoration project of Saladar de Jandía advocate for promoting coastal halophile vegetation communities in the framework of Fuerteventura’s Biosphere Reserve as a nature-based solution to mitigate the mid to long-term effects of climate change.
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