Conservation of Biodiversity in the Western Iberian Peninsula. Campanarios de Azaba Reserve

The project LIFE + Conservation of Biodiversity in the Western Iberian Peninsula: Campanarios de Azaba Reserve by Foundation Nature and Man (Beneficiary Project coordinator), University of Alicante and University of Salamanca (associated beneficiaries), it preserves and improves the biodiversity of 132,878 ha of spaces Natura 2000 Campo de Azaba, Golf Argañán (Spain) and Malcata (Portugal). They are composed of mature Mediterranean forests, frequently meadows, rocky cliffs, wooded pastures, field crops, river ecosystems and mountain ranges of average mountain covered by “rebollares” and scrubland, all interspersed between fenced and heavily leveraged private farms.

This objective is achieved through intervention – after buying the farm “Campanarios” – a reserve of 522 ha, centred in this great space, where an active integrated management arises in favour of those with high dispersive efficacy (birds, plants and insects) and acting as a supplier of biodiversity to the rest of the Natura 2000 site.

This project is carried out thanks to the financial contribution LIFE of the European Community and also thanks to the sponsors that support the initiative such as the Mava Foundation, the Junta de Castilla y Leon, Natural Heritage of Castilla and Leon, Biodiversity Foundation, the Government of Spain through its Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, Cementos Portland Valderrivas, Red Electrica of Spain and Caja Madrid.

This project also maintains the support program Countdown 2010 (IUCN), the ICNB (Portugal), City of Espeja and Vulture Conservation Foundation.