Restoring the scavengers

Scavenging is a vital ecological process in the Iberian Highlands, but some species are missing. We are working with our local partners to return the Cinereous vultures to the landscape to help restore broken links in the trophic chain. Measures are being implemented – including supplementary feeding platforms and visual lures – to encourage the natural recolonisation of bearded vultures, and preparatory work is underway to carry out a translocation of birds from the Pyrenees.

To safeguard their return, steps are also being taken to promote the use of lead-free ammunition, and monitor the threat that poisoning poses. The reintroduction of the Cinereous vulture has already started, with the acclimatisation of individuals for some months in pre-release enclosures.

Return of the Iberian Lynx

The Iberian Lynx disappeared from the Iberian Highlands as populations of their main prey – the rabbit – plummeted due to various introduced diseases. To restore this charismatic carnivore to the top of the food chain, an experimental release is being mapped out, using animals that are unsuitable for breeding in captivity. Although rabbit numbers are still scarce, there is a plentiful amount of roe, fallow and red deer present in the proposed release area, as well as wild boar. Also, the opportunities for reintroducing rabbits are being explored.

If successful, the reintroduction will be scaled up to establish a permanent viable population in the landscape. The presence of this felid could act as a catalyst for nature tourism in the Iberian Highlands, creating new enterprise opportunities and benefitting local communities.

Natural grazing

We will restore natural grazing processes with semi-wild and wild horses, tauros and other large herbivores. In arid areas of steppe habitat, natural grazing with kulan will optimise the conditions for a host of bird species that include the Dupont’s lark, black-bellied sandgrouse, little bustard and great bustard. By supporting these bird species along with many more, there is the possibility of establishing photographic hides on the steppe that would make a valuable contribution to ecotourism in the area.

Following a forest fire in 2005 affecting 11,900 hectares of pine and Pyrenean oak in the Alto Tajo region, the burnt trees were removed and the area left to naturally regenerate. However, the current stands which have developed are too dense and lacking in complexity – which stymies acorn production. Natural grazing has started with wild horses and tauros helping to open up these areas to light, leading to more structural diversity and a mosaic landscape to enable long-term natural regeneration. We are also planning to reintroduce Iberian ibex to the most rugged areas.

Open areas will also be maintained by natural grazing in the municipality of Villanueva de Alcoron, through the introduction of free-roaming Przewalski’s horses, the second population in Europe after Chernobyl. The flat area at an altitude of 1,200 metres is home to Scots pine and black pine forest, with an understorey of juniper and barberry. It is also the habitat for a thriving herd of Przewalski’s horses. Their presence in the area will reduce the density of shrubs and other vegetation, and in doing so, reduce the impact of wildfire.

Protecting old-growth forests

We are working to conserve the last remaining old-growth forest in the Iberian Highlands by compensating the owners for the loss in timber revenues. These magnificent and irreplaceable old trees are thereby saved, so they can continue to make a valuable and substantial contribution to carbon sequestration, while hosting much of the biodiversity that lives in this ecosystem.

Mapping has already identified 987 hectares of this precious habitat, with buffer zones totalling 1,466 hectares around them. Good connections with key landowners (in mostly small municipalities) are in place, and pioneering agreements have been signed to boost a change in forest management that will support natural regeneration, delivering benefits to both nature and people. The first agreement has been signed in Vega del Codorno, protecting a 264 hectares’ old growth-forest for 30 years.