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Management of the SPA site of Andros Island to achieve a favourable conservation status for its priority species (ANDROSSPA)
Date du début: 1 sept. 2011, Date de fin: 31 août 2016 PROJET  TERMINÉ 

Background The island of Andros has a great diversity of habitats, the most important of which is the alluvian forest of common alder (Alnus glutinosa), European chestnut (Castanea sativa) woodland and strands of white willow (Salix alba) and white poplar (Populus alba). There are many bird species endemic to Andros. Its rocky coasts host important nesting areas for the shag (Phalocrocorax aristotelis), Andouin’s gull (Larus andouinii) and Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae). Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) and peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) are resident species. The area is also important for seabirds such as Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) and the Yelkouan shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan), as well as for migrating birds. Threats to these species include: invasive alien species such as the black rat (Rattus rattus) and the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis); a lack of suitable nesting habitats for island nesting birds; the reduction and abandonment of traditional agricultural practices on terraces; and degradation of local wetlands resulting in reduced insect and bird prey. These threats and exacerbated by the lack of management planning for the Natura 2000 site and the absence of any management authority to conserve the site. Lack of public awareness of these threats also results in a lack of public support or participation in conservation actions. Objectives The AndrosSPA project aims to significantly improve the management and conservation of the Natural 2000 site in Korthi. The primary tools will be the drafting of a Natura 2000 site (SPA) Management Plan and four species-specific action plans. In addition, the project will develop monitoring and surveillance plans and a GIS-compatible system to provide the information infrastructure necessary to manage conservation of the target area. It will conduct technical studies for concrete conservation actions and a feasibility study for SPA management, identifying key parameters for its long-term financial viability. During the project, a pilot operation of the SPA Management scheme, action plans and surveillance programme will be conducted, including the implementation of a number of conservation actions. Planned actions include: Introduction of at least 200 artificial nests; Planting of 100 endemic shrubs for ground-nesting; Rat eradications; Revitalisation of at least 10 ha of terraced fields and traditional crop farming; Restoration interventions on 5 ha of coastal wetland; Installation of three pigeon lofts; Installation of 15 wildlife ponds; Installation and promotion of the use of seagrass-friendly mooring buoys; and Delineation of seasonally restricted fishery areas.These actions aim to improve the availability of suitable nesting, increase the availability of prey and reduce the risk of predation for target species. Expected results: Improved nesting habitat and breeding success for the islet’s nesting bird species; Improved prey abundance - including insects, Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukka) and pigeon - for priority bird species; and Protection of primary marine foraging habitats for the shag and Eleonora’s falcon.

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