Habitat restoration and management in two coastal lagoons of the Ebro delta (LIFE Δ-LAGOON)

The Alfacada and Tancada lagoons are located in the Delta del Ebro Natural Park. Though the Alfacada lagoon is a protected area, it was until recently a private estate used for hunting. It is also vulnerable to the effects of climate change on the water and sediment flux of the Ebro river, which has accelerated the rise in sea level and coastal erosion processes. Therefore specific management and restoration measures are necessary to mitigate these negative effects. The target salt marshes of San Antonio in the southern part of the Tancada lagoon have been damaged by intensive fish farming and much work is required to restore this now-protected area to its natural state. The Main Objective of this project is to improve the ecological status of lagoons in the Alfacada and La Tancada through habitat restoration and management measures, such as improving hydrological connectivity, the removal of infrastructure that interfere with this connectivity, creating new lagoon habitats in existing rice fields and abandoned aquaculture facilities. The main specific objectives of the project are to: • Improve the ecological and hydrological connectivity of the Alfacada lagoon with the implementation of restoration measures designed to mitigate the effects of regression of the sea and climate change and improve the status of priority habitats and species; • Increase the Alfacada coastal lagoon habitat, restoring the original lagoon areas that have been converted to rice fields; • Improve the ecological state and the hydrological connectivity of the old salt flats of San Antonio (Tancada lagoon area), through the restoration of areas affected by abandoned aquaculture facilities; • Develop procedures for monitoring and dissemination of ecological values of the restored areas, so as to increase public awareness and knowledge among users and managers of the spaces, as well as society in general.