Base de données des projets PDR

This project aims to improve the conservation status of the Juniperus Thurifera forests, which are a rare forestry habitat in the Valencia Region of Spain. This has been carried out by simple management practices such as tilling and nutrient input.

Valencia is a Mediterranean region with an important forest area (53% of the total) that includes different habitat types, including the Mediterranean juniper forest of Juniperus Thurifera (Nature 2000 code 9580*). These are priority habitats included in the Directive 92/43 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. This habitat is scarce in the Valencia region and it is threatened by the decrease in traditional farming practices and in cultivation methods.

The main objective of the project is to improve the conservation status of Juniperus Thurifera forests by means of simple management practices that include shrub removal, nutrient input and plantations to improve the regeneration of juniper woodlands damaged by fire.

The main activity is the tilling of abandoned fields (marginal lands where crops were formerly cultivated) in order to remove plant competition and improve soil structure. Tilling is combined with moderate nutrient input to encourage leaf production in juniper trees affected by the decline. Juniper tree afforestation is carried out in woodland affected by forest fires with poor regeneration potential, with plantlets produced in nurseries in rural areas within the project boundary.

The results of the project include: i) the improvement of the conservation status of forests of juniperus thurifera in rural areas of the Valencia Region (East Spain); ii) the establishment of a restoration protocol for these rare habitats; iii) the conservation of the biodiversity heritage of rural areas of the Valencia region; iv) Juniperus forests including large veteran specimens; v) the attraction of more tourists to the forest.

Although the measure is not finished yet, recently results and outcomes have showed a positive impact on the status quo of biodiversity heritage.

Inland forests of the Valencia region, within the Natura 2000 network.

Valencia

Comunidad Valenciana

495 198

235 851

259 347

Jimenez Juaper

jimenez_juaper@gva.es

Spanish