One of the main objectives of LIFE El Hito is to carry out the ecological restoration of the El Hito lagoon. However, to achieve this, it is first necessary to remove all the obstacles that degrade the environment and have a negative impact on the priority habitats of this emblematic area of the Natura 2000 Network.
In August, work began on the demolition of the agricultural and livestock buildings located on the northern shore of the lagoon. Built on a flood-prone area, the floor of this warehouses was raised one meter in height to prevent flooding of this plot of land intended for agricultural and livestock use. In addition, drainage channels had been built to cause the wetland to empty during the rainy season.
This action is intended to enlarge El Hito Lagoon and return it to its natural state, increasing the flooding area and carrying out an active restoration by planting endangered native species. “In just a few years we will be able to once again contemplate the original landscape of the lagoon, dominated by grasslands and salt steppes of high ecological value,” comments Amanda del Río, Fundación Global Nature Deputy Director. “Our aim is to increase the area of priority natural habitats in line with the European Union’s nature restoration objectives.”
Ecological Restoration SER
The restoration process carried out in El Hito Lagoon follows the standards of the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), simplified and adapted to the specific reality of the natural environment (see image). The restoration of SER ecological processes involves understanding the space and the ecosystem services it offers to ensure its sustainability in the medium and long term. To this end, this action focuses on eliminating the source of disturbance and allowing the system itself to evolve naturally through a process of passive restoration as the most efficient strategy.
Demolition of the warehouses, a first step
The demolition of the warehouses is the first step to eliminate the impacts that deteriorate the natural area of El Hito Lagoon. In the coming months, cleanup and removal of debris, fences, trails, power towers and vicious roads that cross the lagoon will be carried out. All this with the intention of recovering the priority habitats of around 40 hectares of crop and pasture land, 28 hectares of public land and 116 hectares of plots purchased by Fundación Global Nature. The restoration of this environment also opens up new development opportunities in a region with great tourist potential for bird watching and the production of pro-biodiversity products.