PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is an endangered species included in Annexes II and IV of the Habitat Directive. The current distribution area of this large mammal in the Cantabrian mountains includes four autonomous administrative regions: Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and León and Galicia. The area is mountainous with forests of beech, oak, birch and chestnut mixed with open grassland and crags.
The bear population is divided into two apparently unconnected subgroups: the eastern one contains about 20 individuals; and the western one around 50-70. Together they represent 30% of the wild brown bear population in the EU. The main threats to this endangered species have been identified as habitat degradation, illegal hunting, disturbance and death from things such as traps and poison, and loss of genetic variability.
This project is part of an overall multi-beneficiaries, multi-annual approach involving four regional governments and a bear conservation NGO. The relevant projects are:
LIFE92 NAT/E/0014500, LIFE94 NAT/E/004827 & LIFE95 NAT/E/001155 (Asturias)
LIFE92 NAT/E/0014501 & LIFE95 NAT/E/001154 (Cantabria)
LIFE92 NAT/E/0014502, LIFE94 NAT/E/004829 & LIFE95 NAT/E/001158 (Castile and Leon)
LIFE92 NAT/E/0014503, LIFE94 NAT/E/001458 & LIFE95 NAT/E/001156 (Galicia)
LIFE92 NAT/E/0014504, LIFE94 NAT/E/004830 & LIFE95 NAT/E/000628 (the Brown Bear Foundation)
The projects covered several protected areas, such as Muniellos Natural Reserve (5 542 ha), Somiedo Natural Park (87 900 ha), hunting reserves (590 299 ha) and SPAs (43 756 ha).
The project area in Galicia covered the Reserva Nacional de Caza de los Ancares (8 000 ha) and the contiguous zone in the North (a further 4 000 ha). This is the most westerly part of the bear's distribution area in the Cantabrian mountain range.
OBJECTIVES
All the projects operating under the joint approach aimed to combat the main threats facing the brown bear in the Cantabrian mountains through conservation and recovery of its habitat and the eradication of illegal hunting
The planned project actions in Galicia were in accordance with the recovery plan adopted by the regional government in 1992. The foreseen actions included:
land acquisition in key feeding and refuge areas
renting of hunting and timber-cutting rights to avoid disturbance and habitat degradation in critical habitats
reforestation of degraded habitats
plantation of chestnuts to increase and diversify food supplies
increased and improved surveillance to prevent disturbance and illegal hunting
a proper compensation system for all legitimate claims for damages inflicted by either bears or wolves.
awareness-raising activities targeting local.
RESULTS
Overall the LIFE ursus arctos projects dated 1992-95 made a significant contribution to understanding the brown bear, its distribution, needs and threats. They specifically led to the preparation of a National strategy for brown bear conservation. The four regional governments and the NGO met periodically together with national authorities to discuss their work and outcomes. This led to the establishment of a national co-ordination committee for bear conservation that has been afterwards maintained in the framework of the National Commission for Nature Conservation.
The projects in Galicia increased knowledge of the brown bear in the region, implemented habitat restoration activities and carried out improved surveillance to protect the bear. It enhanced the quality of compensation systems and raised local awareness of the bear and its needs to improve local acceptance.
The project conducted several studies of the project area, including a thematic cartography within the Geographical Information System of Galicia (SITGA). Maps on forests, habitats types and measures undertaken in the bear area were delivered at different scales: forests in the bear area, 1:5000; potential vegetation in Sierra de Ancares, 1:25000; zoning of the area and proposal of actions for habitat improvement, 1:25000. The project also delivered a study on the evolution of forest in Ancares from 1956 to 1996.
Surveillance activity involved combating illegal trapping, especially with snares, and monitoring of traces and signs of bear presence. From 1998, the Fundación Oso Pardo provided support to the wardens in Galicia, improving the monitoring of the species. The six guards engaged during the project became permanent personnel.
Within the Ancares Reserve, 240 ha were purchased. The natural value of the area is noteworthy and the land acquired is adjacent to an estate of 1 072 ha already belonging to the Xunta de Galicia, which makes a total surface of 1 312 ha well preserved in the core area of the Reserve. The whole bear distribution area in this region was proposed as an SCI for the Natura 2000 network (Ancares-Courel, 103 000 ha).
The beneficiary delivered some key habitat management actions including selective clearances over about 110 ha to encourage regeneration of native forests and bilberries, reforestation of degraded areas with native species in two locations over 13.5 ha, the repair of 15 stone structures which can protect beehives from bears and the closure of four tracks with restricted access only for landowners and rights holders.
Limited awareness-raising activities included the signposting of bear areas with seven panels and a campaign which targeted about 500 pupils living in the bear area. A didactic booklet for teachers, an activity book for schoolchildren and a video were used.Overall the LIFE ursus arctos projects dated 1992-95 made a significant contribution to understanding the brown bear, its distribution, needs and threats. They specifically led to the preparation of a National strategy for brown bear conservation. The four regional governments and the NGO met periodically together with national authorities to discuss their work and outcomes. This led to the establishment of a national co-ordination committee for bear conservation that has been afterwards maintained in the framework of the National Commission for Nature Conservation.
The projects in Galicia increased knowledge of the brown bear in the region, implemented habitat restoration activities and carried out improved surveillance to protect the bear. It enhanced the quality of compensation systems and raised local awareness of the bear and its needs to improve local acceptance.
The project conducted several studies of the project area, including a thematic cartography within the Geographical Information System of Galicia (SITGA). Maps on forests, habitats types and measures undertaken in the bear area were delivered at different scales: forests in the bear area, 1:5000; potential vegetation in Sierra de Ancares, 1:25000; zoning of the area and proposal of actions for habitat improvement, 1:25000. The project also delivered a study on the evolution of forest in Ancares from 1956 to 1996.
Surveillance activity involved combating illegal trapping, especially with snares, and monitoring of traces and signs of bear presence. From 1998, the Fundación Oso Pardo provided support to the wardens in Galicia, improving the monitoring of the species. The six guards engaged during the project became permanent personnel.
Within the Ancares Reserve, 240 ha were purchased. The natural value of the area is noteworthy and the land acquired is adjacent to an estate of 1 072 ha already belonging to the Xunta de Galicia, which makes a total surface of 1 312 ha well preserved in the core area of the Reserve. The whole bear distribution area in this region was proposed as an SCI for the Natura 2000 network (Ancares-Courel, 103 000 ha).
The beneficiary delivered some key habitat management actions including selective clearances over about 110 ha to encourage regeneration of native forests and bilberries, reforestation of degraded areas with native species in two locations over 13.5 ha, the repair of 15 stone structures which can protect beehives from bears and the closure of four tracks with restricted access only for landowners and rights holders.
Limited awareness-raising activities included the signposting of bear areas with seven panels and a campaign which targeted about 500 pupils living in the bear area. A didactic booklet for teachers, an activity book for schoolchildren and a video were used.