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LIFE - PLETERA
Published on 21 June 2019
Spain
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About this good practice
La Pletera is located in the flood plain of the Ter estuary, and is a Natura 2000 network site with a high ecological importance due to the presence of brackish (salinity greater than freshwater but less than seawater) and hyperhaline (salinity greater than seawater) coastal lagoons. However, this saltmarsh is threatened by encroaching urban development, and the presence of physical barriers such as a public walkway and levees that hinder the proper ecological functioning of the lagoon system.
The primary aim of the LIFE-PLETERA project is to carry out a comprehensive restoration of the La Pletera coastal lagoon system, in particular, to recover the ecological functions that have been altered by building works. To achieve these objectives, the project has contemplated the withdrawal of all the anthropic elements associated with urban planning and the creation of different lagoons with specific morphological characteristics. The recovery of the flora associated with this environment and the installation of elements for visitors, such as observation posts, are also planned.
The main stakeholders and beneficiaries of this practice are the municipality of Torroella de Montgrí and the general direction of the natural environment and biodiversity of the Generalitat of Catalonia. The technical realization has had the participation of the University of Girona and TRAGSA S.A.
The primary aim of the LIFE-PLETERA project is to carry out a comprehensive restoration of the La Pletera coastal lagoon system, in particular, to recover the ecological functions that have been altered by building works. To achieve these objectives, the project has contemplated the withdrawal of all the anthropic elements associated with urban planning and the creation of different lagoons with specific morphological characteristics. The recovery of the flora associated with this environment and the installation of elements for visitors, such as observation posts, are also planned.
The main stakeholders and beneficiaries of this practice are the municipality of Torroella de Montgrí and the general direction of the natural environment and biodiversity of the Generalitat of Catalonia. The technical realization has had the participation of the University of Girona and TRAGSA S.A.
Resources needed
The project, LIFE 13 NAT/ES/001001, has a budget of 2.528.148€, being the European Commission contribution of 1.896.111€.
Evidence of success
This project is a good example of recovery of a natural environment of high ecological value, basically because it is the habitat of a great diversity of species, some of them in danger of extinction. The success of the project is evident, firstly, by the completion of all restoration activities initially planned. In addition, the monitoring carried out to the ecological state and the water and salinity levels, among other factors, shows values according to the expected results.
Potential for learning or transfer
The LIFE-PLETERA project shows the rehabilitation of a previously urbanized area until reaching an optimal ecological status for this type of habitat. This is a very valuable example of the recovery of coastal wetlands, highly degraded habitats and great anthropic pressure due to their location, always close to spaces that attract tourism. These coastal wetlands were very common in the Mediterranean basin, but have been disappearing as beach tourism has increased since the mid-twentieth century. In addition to its intrinsic value for the type of space recovered, this project constitutes a very important precedent, because it was carried out by reversing a space in which already built urban elements existed, such as the layout of streets. This criterion could be adapted to other spaces throughout the Mediterranean.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
City Hall of Torroella de Montgrí
Spain
Cataluña
Contact
Environmental technician