RT Journal Article
T1 Loss of European Dry Heaths in NW Spain: A Case Study
A1 Ramil Rego, Pablo
A1 Rodríguez Guitián, Manuel Antonio
A1 López Castro, Hugo
A1 Ferreiro da Costa, Javier
A1 Muñoz Sobrino, Castor
K1 European dry heaths
K1 Habitat loss
K1 Fragmentation
K1 Natura 2000
K1 Council Directive 92/43/EEC
K1 Surveillance
K1 Monitoring
K1 GIS
K1 High-resolution images
AB Natural habitats are continuing to deteriorate in Europe with an increasing number of wild species which are also seriously threatened. Consequently, a coherent European ecological network (Natura 2000) for conservation of natural habitats and the wild fauna and flora (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) was created. Even so, there is currently no standardized methodology for surveillance and assessment of habitats, a lack that it is particularly problematic for those habitats occupying large areas (heathlands, forests, dunes, wetlands) and which require a great deal of effort to be monitored. In this paper we evaluate the changes affecting the European dry heaths (Nat-2000 4030) from the SCI Os Ancares–O Courel (Galicia, NW Spain) during the past decade. High-resolution aerial imagery analyses and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used. Losses of more than 7,000 ha (20.3%) of European dry heaths were computed during the 2003–2011 period in the SCI Os Ancares–O Courel, and also an increase of the degree of fragmentation was demonstrated for this habitat. Paradoxically, major impacts (afforestations, pasturelands) were financed by agri-environmental funds from the EU. Rather than promote biodiversity, these activities have provoked serious damages in this habitat of community interest, which is in complete opposition to the objectives of protection involved in the declaration of the SCI Os Ancares–O Courel
PB MDPI
YR 2013
FD 2013
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10347/23707
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10347/23707
LA eng
NO Ramil Rego, P.; Rodríguez Guitián, M.A.; López Castro, H.; Ferreiro da Costa, J.; Muñoz Sobrino, C. Loss of European Dry Heaths in NW Spain: A Case Study. Diversity 2013, 5, 557-580
DS Minerva
RD 29 abr 2026