Area characterisation:
A Mediterranean coastal salt marsh ecosystem with the presence of endemic species, such as the Iberian toothcarp (Aphanius iberus). Located in a zone with a strong tourist pressure.
Extension, 60 ha
Objective:
A de-construction project where a failed attempt of urbanization was substituted by a fully functional salt marsh ecosystem. La Pletera is a coastal salt marsh located in a very touristic zone and was affected by building works for a residential estate in the late 80s, and then discontinued in the 90s. After that, the area was protected and an ecological restoration project was developed, aimed to satisfy a long-held local aspiration: the restoration of the ecologically highly valuable saltmarsh that was partially destroyed by a construction project at the end of the 1980s.
Potential impacts/benefits:
1. Biodiversity conservation
2. Human health and well-being
3. Water management
4. Climate change adaptation
Actions:
The removal of the breakwater and the paved streets built for the urbanization.
The recovery of the ecological functioning of the coastal ecosystem.
The improvement of the existing population of Iberian toothcarp and the improvement of the salt marsh vegetation
Transferability of result:
1. Habitat conservation and maintenance for the conservation of biodiversity
2. Adaptation to climate change: regulation of sea water floodings: the restored saltmarsh has been built maintaining the characteristic hydrology and nutrient dynamics of
these habitats, thus guaranteeing the conservation of the typical community structure of Mediterranean coastal ponds. The newly created habitat responds effectively to the predicted effects of climate change, that include higher sea levels and more frequent severe sea storms.
Lessons learnt:
This recovery strategy is easily applicable to other degraded coastal areas.
Coexistence of natural habitats and tourism: The conservation of biodiversity is compatible with a
high frequentation and the enjoyment of nature by people if they respect the limits of the protected areas.
Awards:
ICB Award Green Destinations (Berlin, 2018)
Sustainable Cities and Human Settlement Awards (Addis Ababa, 2019)
NBS goals:
- Restoring ecosystems and their functions
- Developing climate change adaptation
- Improving risk management and resilience
- Establishing nature-based solutions for coastal resilience
NBS benefits:
- Developing climate change adaptation; improving risk management and resilience
- Better protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems
- Reduce flood risk
- Carbon sequestration and storage
- Restoring ecosystems and their functions
- Increase Biodiversity
- Changing image of the urban environment
- Sustainable development of coastal regions
Publications and reports:
Life project layman report:
http://lifepletera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Life_Pletera_Laumans_report_2019_ENG.pdf
Ponderful leaflet:
https://ponderful.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Leaflet_SP2_EN_PLETERA.pdf