The mapping of habitats: an indispensable tool to the planning and management of protected areas in Catalonia Palau de Congressos de Catalunya Barcelona, 27 September 2016
Introduction Agoodcartographic information about the elements of the natural heritage is essential to know the natural value and the nature conservation status of a any given place. It is also essential to find solutions to the problems raised by global change (land use change, climate change, pollution, alien species, etc.)
Introduction Natural parks and reserves Natura 2000 and other protected areas
The importance of habitats Habitats are one of the key concepts in landscape ecology. They provide information about the flora and vegetation, climate, topography and are very useful for wildlife studies. In Catalonia CORINE classification was used to identify all existing habitats. According to this adjustment, the list of habitats in Catalonia contains more than 600 habitats. Of these, almost 71% since the document appeared CORINE biotope Manual of the European Community and 29% have been incorporated and adapted to new contributions to the Catalan reality.
Habitat types
Cartographies of habitats in Catalonia Since the mid 1990s, the department responsible for the environment of the Generalitat of Catalonia has promoted the development of different habitat cartographies in Catalonia with the co operation of universities and research centers. 1998 2003: Cartography of Catalan habitats (1 st version) Cartography of the habitats of community interest (1 st version) 2008 2012: Cartography of Catalan habitats (2 n version) Cartography of the habitats of community interest (2 n version) From 2007 to present: Cartography of Catalan habitats in Natural Parks
Cartographies of habitats in Catalonia 2012: Cartography of littoral Catalan habitats
Cartography of Catalan habitats Habitats of Community Interest cartography Abstract Cartography of Catalan habitats based on the interpretation and adaptation of the classification of habitats in the European Union proposed by the document "CORINE biotope Manual", published by the European Commission in 1991. From this list the HIC are derived. The geometry are polygons, each containing one to three habitats legend. The elements of the legend may correspond to a single habitat or a set of elementary CORINE habitats. The presence of each habitat is expressed by coating. Purpose The aim is to provide information about the presence, location, extent and valuation of certain habitats in the region.
Cartography of Catalan habitats Habitats of Community Interest cartography Content information 1 st version Creation data layer 1998 2003 Capture method Interpretation of aerial photography (orthophoto and IRC 1:25.000) and transcription elements on paper Legend 268 units of CORINE Habitats of Catalonia Mapping scale 1:50.000 2 n version Creation data layer 2008 2012 Capture method Interpretation of aerial photography (orthophoto and IRC 1:5.000) and transcription elements on screen Legend 284 units of CORINE Habitats of Catalonia Mapping scale 1:50.000
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v1 v2 CARTOGRAFIA DELS HÀBITATS A CATALUNYA
Cartography of Catalan habitats Habitats of Community Interest Cartography: some applications Natura 2000 sites designation The habitats of Community Interest cartography (v1) has been one of the main tools to build the Natura 2000 network in Catalonia, especially for the proposed Sites of Community Importance (pscis) in 2006 (more than 300.000 ha). In 2013 and 2014, the habitats of Community Interest cartography (v2) has been one of the main tools to the implementation of the necessary management measures to ensure the favourable conservation status of sites during this period, and then to the designation of the Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The boundaries of the Natural Protected Site of Moianès i la Riera de Muntanyola have been revised based on the new information about a rare habitat cartographied on version 1.
Natura 2000 sites designation 9530 - (Sub-) Mediterranean pine forests with endemic black pines
Natural Protected Site of Moianès i la Riera de Muntanyola 41v mixed forests with plenty of maple (Acer campestre ), mesophilic and eutrophic, from the central Catalonia.
Cartography of Catalan habitats in Natural Parks Abstract Cartography of Catalan habitats based on the interpretation and adaptation of the classification of habitats in the European Union proposed by the document "CORINE biotope Manual", published by the European Commission in 1991. From this list the HIC are derived. Purpose The aim is to provide information about the presence, location, extent and valuation of certain habitats in a detailed scale to manage protected natural areas.
Cartography of Catalan habitats in Natural Parks Content information Cartography of CORINE habitats and Cartography of the habitats of community interest Creation data layer from 2007 to present Capture method Interpretation of aerial photography (orthophoto and IRC 1:5.000), GPS an transcription elements on screen Legend 590 units of CORINE Habitats of Catalonia Mapping scale 1:10.000
Cartography of Catalan habitats in Natural Parks Maps available
Cartography of Catalan habitats in Natural Parks Cartography of CORINE habitats
Cartography of Catalan habitats in Natural Parks Cartography of the habitats of community interest
Cartography of Catalan habitats in Natural Parks: some uses (Els Ports Natural Park) In Els Ports Natural Park this cartography has been used to the planning and subsequent exploration of new places of Lepidoptera location Zygaena ignífera. It has also been used to locate areas of wintering Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus) (this bird has a preference for the berries of Juniperus sabina)
Cartography of Catalan habitats in Natural Parks: some uses (Els Ports Natural Park)
Cartography of Catalan habitats in Natural Parks: some uses (Montsant Natural Park) In the Montsant Natural Park this cartography has been used to locate new areas of a very endangered species of orthopteran somereta del Montsant (Lluciapomaresius panteli)
Cartography of coastal habitats Abstract Mapping coastal habitats based on plant and animal communities living from supralitoral level the most superficial level of infralitoral (approximately one meter deep). Purpose Representing the distribution of habitats in the entire coastline of Catalonia according lists commonly used categorization (CORINE biotopes, EUNIS, Spanish list of marine habitats) and the classification of habitats of community interest.
Cartography of coastal habitats Content information 3 datasets: types of substrate, transects on bedrock and characterization of beaches Creation data layer 2012 Capture method Work field, interpretation of aerial photography (orthophoto 1:2.500), topographic cartography (1:1.000), GPS an transcription elements on screen Legend 53 habitats Mapping scale 1:5.000
Cartography of littoral Catalan habitats
Cartography of coastal habitats Classification catalog of beaches of Catalonia This classification determines the uses and activities that the different municipalities will allow or not in a particular beach
Uses of habitats mapping Research Knowledge of the Catalan biodiversity Exportable new methodologies Management (public administrations, private companies,..) Compliance mandates and management of environmental information Tracking and monitoring the state of conservation of natural heritage Planning and management of activities in the natural environment Provide environmental information to citizens Assess the environmental services of ecosystems Educations and divulgation Teaching at the university and the schools Approached the natural environment to citizens and create new opportunities for socio economic activities
Any questions??
Thank you very much for your attention! Contact information: Pau Sainz de la Maza Marsal psainz@gencat.cat Pilar Casanovas Francés pilar.casanovas@gencat.cat