News published in the EL CORREO newspaper
“A European project helps to preserve the La Arena beach dune system”
Date of press publication: 16/01/2015
Categoría: Blog
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EL CORREO newspaper covers the actions undertaken on the La Arena beach on 16/01/2016
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Dune restoration by removing invasive plants and waste and by collecting seeds on the Berria beach (SCI Santoña, Victoria and Joyel Marshes)
Once again, the Directorate General of the Environment (Rural Affairs, Fisheries and Food Department of the Government of Cantabria) with the collaboration of inmates from the El Dueso Penitentiary Centre as part of the NACAR Programme (Nature and Prison), carried out a volunteering activity encompassed within the LIFE+ ARCOS programme on the Berria beach dune system (municipality of Santoña).
Volunteers from the NACAR Programme, in the background the El Dueso Penitentiary Centre The activity carried out on 20th November 2015 led by an Expert from the Nature Conservation Service and a Forestry Expert from the same Service, focused on restoring the dune systems along the Cantabrian coast.
The day began with an introduction to the Natural Protected Space, in which participants were given an explanation of the dynamic of the dune systems, the importance of preserving native plant life in these ecosystems, and the significance of fighting against invasive species
An instant taken on the route followed for the waste clean-up. Next, participants walked along the front of the existing dune system on Berria beach collecting rubbish, filling a 120-litre bin bag. During the walk along the dune front, numerous sea daffodil bulbs (Pancratium maritimum) were collected, which were found displaced, and inside the dune system seeds were collected from the same species, from carnations (Dianthus hyssopifolius), toadflax (Linaria supina subsp. maritima) and crosswort cuttings (Crucianella maritima) to be moved (bulbs, seeds and cuttings) to the nursery Gardening Workshop at the El Dueso Penitentiary Centre, where they will be nurtured in view of future activities within the NACAR Programme.
Photo of the team of participants in the activity day The major part of the day’s activity focused on removing the invasive Adam’s needle plant (Yucca gloriosa) manually using spades and trowels, resulting in the removal of six 120-litre bags full. In 2010, the Berria beach dune system had numerous adult flowering Yucca specimens that were removed, and with this activity they are being controlled and practically eliminated from the dunes. This activity took place in an area inside the dune system in the middle zone, spanning from the Juan de la Cosa Hotel to the El Brusco hill.
Some of the volunteers had previously carried out dune restoration work on the Berria beach with the Directorate General of the Environment, and they remembered some of the native dune species, the invasive species and the restoration tasks they had carried out on previous occasions. Specifically, the areas replanted with sea daffodil bulbs collected in March 2015 and transplanted back into the dune system were particularly visible.
At the end of the day and as a keepsake, the inmates along with the instructors from the El Dueso Penitentiary Centre, a trainee and the Expert from the Nature Conservation Service from the Government of Cantabria, posed for a photo to leave a record of the hard work that they had all done to conserve the dune systems.
Photo of the team of participants in the activity day -
Dune habitats in La Arena (Zierbena, Bizkaia) will remove the invasive exotic species as a consequence of the actions developed by Life+ARCOS
La Arena beach with the replanted species in the foreground and the machinery working to remove the invasive exotic species. We should congratulate ourselves. Whoever visits the “La Arena” beach (Zierbena, Bizkaia) over this December bank holiday, will be able to see the start of the restoration works being carried out on the dune systems in this protected space, as part of the actions proposed within the Life+ARCOS project.
The space chosen on the La Arena beach to start these removal actions of invasive exotic species is located on the most easterly part of the dune system. After releasing the news of these initiatives to the competent authorities and interest groups (see news published on this blog), work is already underway to effectively remove a large number of invasive species that are currently occupying this space. Among the most problematic species are: Arundo donax (giant cane), Tamarix sp. (tamarisk), Pittosporum tobira (Australian laurel) and different species from the Carpobrotus genus (ice plant).
The use of heavy machinery with perforated blades that facilitate the recovery of the sand attached to the roots of the removed plants, allows the moved sand to remain within the dune system. Removing this element would entail a significant loss to the dune. More direct benefits emerging from the use of this kind of machinery, include the removal of the deepest rhizomes of this species and increased surface area where effective action can be taken.
Parte de restos de pitósporo eliminados del sistema dunar. To minimise the generation of new specimens of invasive species from the fragments of rhizomes that can be generated with the use of this machinery, this action was complemented with a manual removal process of these fragments, minimising the possibility that new shoots may appear over time. The combined use of machinery, followed by manual cleaning and removal of possible plant remains, will undoubtedly ensure that over the coming years there will be a decreasing need for new removal campaigns for invasive species.
The structural plants removed (European beach grass and brome) – to facilitate the removal of invasive species – are planted in the selected spots on the dune front to help facilitate the stabilisation and setting process of the sand. Likewise, other non-structural species such as Euphorbia paralias (sea spurge) and Eryngium maritimum (sea holly) are also being used in the replanting action.
The use of sand collectors that will be fitted in the dune face and the replanting of the entire space with structural species and other high ecological value species, will contribute to recovering the plant biodiversity of these ecosystems, which are becoming increasingly scarce on the Cantabrian coast.
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If you see this signs…don’t panic, it means LIFE+ARCOS is restoring your dunes
Vertical sign indicating that a LIFE+ARCOS conservation activity is taking place. The signs are in Basque and Spanish and provide a general explanation of planting, eradication of exotic invasive species, dune closure and dune restoration activities.
We hope its visibility on the entire Cantabrian coast—from the Principality of Asturias to the Basque Country—will raise awareness in the general population about the importance of respecting the conservation activities that are being carried out in the 10 Sites of Community Importance chosen for the LIFE+ARCOS project.
Eradication of invasive species, Life+ARCOS
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We meet authorities from Directorate for the protection of the coast and the sea and the Provincial Government of Bizakia, in La Arena (Muskiz-Zierbena, Basque Country)
From left to right: Santiago Fuentes, Carlos Ley, Jon Hidalgo, Aitor Uriarte and Álvaro Bueno during a meeting. On 13 November, a technical meeting was held on La Arena beach (Bizkaia). LIFE+ARCOS project heads and members of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and the Lurgaia Foundation were in attendance.
The following were in attendance: Álvaro Bueno Sánchez, head and technical coordinator of ARCOS project activities and in representation of the University of Oviedo, Carlos Ley Vega de Seoane, head of the company Ecología Litoral S.A., Jon Hidalgo Mugica, member of the Lurgaia Fundazioa Foundation, Aitor Uriarte, head of the Special Area of Conservation, a representative from the Council of Bizkaia and Santiago Fuentes Sánchez, head of Coast Demarcation of the Basque Country.
In this technical meeting, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and the Lurgaia Foundation—a naturalist collective that has been working in this protected area for many years—were informed about upcoming activities to eradicate invasive exotic species, install sand fencing and plant structural species. These activities form part of the activities set forth by the LIFE+ARCOS project.
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Restoration of dunes by cleaning wastes, invasive plant species and census of Chamaesyce peplis in Liencres (SAC of Liencres and Pas Estuary)
Photo of the volunteer group and members of the Directorate-General of Natural Environment of the Government of Cantabria who participated in this activity on Valdearenas Beach. Last Saturday, 19 September 2015, a volunteer day of the LIFE+ Arcos project was held within the existing dune system of Valdearenas beach in Liencres. Personnel from the Directorate-General of Natural Environment attended (which belongs to the Directorate-General of Natural Environment of the Regional Ministry of Rural Affairs, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Cantabria).
The main objective of this activity was to raise awareness about the LIFE+Arcos project and its activities, especially within SCI Dunes of Liencres and the Pas Estuary.
Volunteers attended a presentation about the importance of these dune systems. The day was organized by two technicians from the Nature Conservation Service of the aforementioned Directorate-General. It began with an introduction to the Natural Protected Area and to the dynamic and biological communities of the dune system’s ecosystem on the Cantabrian coast. It also included a presentation about the main problems this natural area faces.
One of the activities carried out during the day was the eradication of an invasive species, the Chamaesyce polygonifolia, an annual plant from the East Coast of North America that competes for space with other plants from the same genus, the Chamaesyce peplis. This natural area in Cantabria is the only area known to be home to this plant, and is classified as VULNERABLE in the Regional List of Threatened Species of Cantabria. A total of 30 litres of the invasive plant were extracted
Euphorbia polygonifolia (originating in North America) lives in the same area as the native species Euphorbia peplis. At the peak of the volunteer day, we swept the area to locate specimens of the only known population of Chamaesyce peplis in Cantabria and gathered their location points via GPS. A total of 38 specimens of this species were found. Some of them were completely covered in sand due to strong winds, which means there were probably more specimens in the area than what we found.
Throughout the day, participants collected a total of three, 20-litre bags of different types of waste.
Participants’ expectations were met. We also met our goal to raise awareness about dune system habitats and the environment. Even so, there is still more work to be done to eradicate the invasive species threatening Chamaesyce peplis conservation.
Volunteers work to eradicate Chamaesyce polygonifolia and carry out a census of Chamaesyce peplis -
Dune restoration by collecting waste, invasive plants, seeds and by planting sea daffodil on Berria beach (SCI Santoña, Victoria and Joyel Marshes)
Participants of the NACAR programme pose on Berria beach, an area included in the Natura 2000 Network. Once again, the Directorate-General of Natural Environment (Regional Ministry of Rural Affairs, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Cantabria) with collaboration from inmates from the El Dueso Penitentiary of the NACAR (Nature and Prison) programme, carried out a volunteer activity within the LIFE+ Arcos project at the Berria Beach dune system (Municipality of Santoña).
The activity was carried out by one Technician and two Forest Technicians from the Nature Conservation Service on 11 September 2015. They focused on restoring dune systems on the Cantabrian coast.
Participants attended a briefing about the protected area where the activity was going to take place. The day started with an introduction to the Natural Protected Area, and to the dynamic and biological communities of dune system ecosystems on the Cantabrian coast. We used an educational sign located at the entrance of the beach, next to the car park.
After that explanation, we moved towards the frontal dune on Berria beach to collect specimens of plants uprooted by the tide. Sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum) bulbs were found and transplanted to areas devoid of vegetation later that day.
On the way back we walked inside the dune system and collected a small amount of fringed pink (Dianthus hyssopifolius) and Virginia stock (Matthiola sinuata) to plant in the El Dueso Penitentiary Gardening Workshop nursery centre. The plants will be used in future activities within the NACAR project. The seeds and some cuts of crossworts (Cruccianella maritima) were given to the El Dueso Penitentiary Gardening Workshop instructor so they can practice with these species.
During the entire walk, we extracted and collected 60 litres of different types of waste.
Photo of volunteers extracting common ragweed within the marked area. The last activity was to manually and carefully extract specimens of the entire existing population of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) in the tertiary dune area of Berria beach to prevent its creeping rhizome from re-growth. We also extracted around 15 very young specimens of another invasive species, the Adam’s needle (Yucca gloriosa)—its roots were extracted with hand shovels. A few specimens of horseweed (Coniza canadensis) were also extracted. A total of approximately 40 litres of invasive plants were extracted.
We eradicated invasive plants in two areas. The first was around 738 m2, where the vast majority of the common ragweed population is located and where all the Adam’s needles extracted in the tertiary dune area are located. The second area, located in a secondary dune, was around 64 m2. Only common ragweed was extracted from the second area.
The areas where we eradicated invasive plants were marked off with tape and wood posts to clear the area better and to eliminate 100% of the existing individuals. Since we also extracted common ragweed in this area during an activity on 12 June, this time we found just a few, small plants. This means the area is currently quite under control.
We met the goals of this dune system habitat restoration and environmental awareness day. Inmates expressed interest in participating in future volunteer days.
When the day ended, the inmates and educators from El Dueso Penitentiary, two interns and the Technician from the Nature Conservation Service of the Government of Cantabria posed for a photo to commemorate the magnificent day they spent conserving dune systems.
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News about the Life+ARCOS project on the Infonatur.es website
News published on the infonatur.com website
“Cantabrian communities join forces to save their fragile dune systems”Date of online publication: 31/08/2015
[button link=»http://www.infonatur.es/es/noticias-de-inter%C3%A9s/noticias-infonatur-2000/352-comunidades-cantabricas-se-unen-para-salvar-sus-fragiles-sistemas-dunares.html» newwindow=»yes»] See publicaction[/button]
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Life+ARCOS meets some technicians from the Directorate General of Natural Environment of the Regional Government of Cantabria
On 14 August, Jesús Varás (director of the Liencres Dunes Natural Park) and Lourdes González (Director of the Santoña, Victoria and Joyel Marshes Natural Park) met with the Technicians from the Nature Conservation Service to present and explain the LIFE+ARCOS project to colleagues working in other areas of the Directorate-General of Natural Environment of the Regional Ministry of Rural Affairs, Fisheries and Food.
During the meeting, attendees received thematic portfolios on the LIFE+ARCOS subject “Conserving Cantabrian Dunes.» Then, we presented on the scope of action and the list of activities to develop, focusing on specific activities on Cantabrian beaches that form part of this project (Valdearenas, Loredo, Helgueras and Berria).
During the meeting, attendees asked interesting questions about species and activities in the Liencres pine forest.
Meeting in the Cantabria Science and Technology Park (PCTCAN), where the Technicians (from the Nature Conservation Service) meeting took place. We also explained the value the NACAR (Nature and Prison) environmental volunteer programme (since 2004) has added to the LIFE+ARCOS project.
When the meeting ended, we agreed to keep them informed about the LIFE+ARCOS project as activities in the Cantabrian dune systems are carried out. We also talked about the possibility of creating a volunteer group for the Directorate-General of Natural Environment to carry out activities for the project. All attendees liked the idea and we plan to host a volunteer day in September or October 2015.
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Life+ARCOS meets the Major of the Piélagos Council
Meeting held between the mayor of Piélagos, Ms Verónica Samperio and Mr Jesús Varas, director of the Liencres Dunes Natural Park (Government of Cantabria) On 3 August the director of the Liencres Dunes Natural Park, of the Directorate-General of Natural Environment of the Regional Ministry of Rural Affairs, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Cantabria (collaborating member of LIFE+ARCOS), Jesús Varas, held a meeting to meet the new mayor of Piélagos, Verónica Samperio. One of the meeting topics related with the Natural Park was introducing her to the LIFE+ARCOS project: “Conserving Cantabrian Dunes” and the activities being carried out in the Valdearenas dune system.
During the meeting, we explained the general scope of action of LIFE+ARCOS project and analysed the activities scheduled through 2018 within the Valdearenas dune system, one of the largest on the Cantabrian coast. Both parties agreed about the importance of tourism in the area and the need to plan activities to conserve this fragile habitat.
We also talked about continuing forward with the policy to eradicate invasive plants while prioritising mechanical control methods, planting and increasing threatened native species and installing sand collectors among the activities within the LIFE+ARCOS work programme. It is also advisable that dunes be temporarily closed to avoid alterations to the areas we have worked on.
The Mayor was interested in knowing more about the project’s activities and suggested holding occasional coordination meetings as well as carrying out a technical visit to Valdearenas beach to interact with the current state of Berria beach’s dune system and to evaluate existing public use infrastructure
