The workshop organised by EUCC-Atlantique, in collaboration with the Life+ARCOS project, has chosen the dune systems in Cantabria and conservation actions, which are being carried out within the framework of this project on the Liencres Dunes and the Puntal Dunes and Miera Estuary (recently declared Special Area of Conservation, Decree 18/2017, 30th March, Official Cantabria Gazette 70), to bring together an experienced group of experts in managing and conserving this kind of habitat, on 25th and 26th May.
Summary of the activity held on 25th April
Visit to the Liencres dune system (tomorrow)
The day started with a presentation given to all attendees by Christine Clus-Auby (EUCC) and Carlos Ley (Ecología Litoral – Life+ARCOS). After the presentation, following the programme, the group visited the Liencres dune system. Different interventions were given during the walk to the protected area. The visit was guided by the Director of the protected area, Jesús Varas, and was supported by the collaboration of Carlos Ley and Jean Favenecc (EUCC), who also assisted in translating. Jesús Varas was in charge of explaining the different actions that are being carried out in terms of preserving dune habitats and managing the dune space, both in the context of the Life+ARCOS project and in other frameworks dependent on the Cantabrian Directorate for Nature Conservation.
The introduction to the geomorphological situation of the space and the analysis of its sedimentary dynamic was given by Elena Fernández Iglesias (Indurot- Uniovi – Arcos+Life). Elena gave an analysis of the dune system history (1950s to present day), by interpreting historical aerial photos and by analysing LIDAR data. The variation of the sedimentary inputs of the river Pas and the erosive phenomena occurring over recent years, are among the leading causes of the current sediment balance.
The morning included explanations from Mr Jesús Varas and interventions from various attendees, who discussed the set of actions being carried out within the protected space.
The selective elimination of pine trees, constructing enclosures to organise pedestrian transit, sand collectors, managing seaweed banks as a sand collector element, and eliminating invasive species, were some of the issues addressed and actively discussed “in situ”.
The morning session ended with a meal at a restaurant near the dune system.
Some photos of the visit can be seen below.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Presentations and discussion (afternoon)
The Assembly Hall at the Government of Cantabria Directorate General of Nature Conservation, hosted the lively afternoon session, filled with communications and discussion.
The Session was opened by the Councillor for Rural Affairs, Fisheries and Food, Mr Jesús Oria, who commented on the interest of his department regarding these coastal habitats, reinforced by its participation as beneficiary partner within the Life+ARCOS project.
After the introductory presentation by the Councillor, the different interventions were given in the following order:
Luis Martín Rebollo, Administrative Law Professor at the University of Cantabria: Legislative context and territorial organisation in Cantabria: the keys to understanding dune management
Ignacio Alonso, from the University of Oviedo: The objectives and challenges of the ARCOSLIFE project
Loïc Gouguet, Leading National Coastal Expert from the “National Forestry Department (Office National des Forêts, ONF)”: Managing the French Atlantic dunes, from beaches to forested dunes
Maria Recio, Hydraulic Institute of Cantabria: Analysis of the effects of pedestrian transit over the dune vegetation
Photos of the speakers in order of intervention (from top to bottom, left to right).
 |
 |
 |
 |
The debate following the interventions was chaired by Jean Favenecc (EUCC) and Carlos Ley (Ecología Litoral), and after it finished the ANCORIM /CORIMAT portal was officially introduced, created with the aim of reactivating the network of players to manage coastline risks in the European Atlantic area. The presentation of the portal was given by Pedro Fernández (EUCC-Atlantique) and Christine Clus-Auby (EUCC-Atlantique).
 |
 |
 |
 |
After the debate and the presentation of the CORIMAT portal, the organisation’s bus returned participants to the city of Santander.
CORIMAT website: https://corimat.net/
Photos in Twitter with the hasthag: #EUCCworkshop2017
