De-urbanizing and recovering the ecological functioning of the coastal systems of La Pletera

The primary aim of the LIFE-PLETERA project was to carry out a comprehensive restoration of the La Pletera coastal lagoon system, in particular, to recover the ecological functions that have been altered by building works. The project?s specific objectives were to ensure that the ecological system can respond appropriately to predicted climate change impacts, such as rising sea levels, severe storms and other extreme weather conditions; to safeguard the ecological functions of the lagoon system in both the short and long term; to raise awareness about the importance of conserving coastal lagoon ecosystems; and to demonstrate best practice in restoring an altered or partially built-up natural space to recover its full ecological functions. As a result of replacing disused urban infrastructure and mounds of soil covered in ruderal vegetation (i.e. plants that grow on waste ground) with a system of coastal lagoons and adjacent flood belts, the project also aimed to increase the carbon fixation capacity of the coastal ecosystem, and thus reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
The LIFE-PLETERA project visibly improved the status of the La Pletera coastal lagoon system in the municipality of Torroella de Montgrí, in the Spanish province of Gerona. The project beneficiaries removed a half-constructed promenade, roads, buildings and rubble scattered in the salt marsh due to abandoned building work. They then created new lagoons, and fully restored the dune, salt marsh and lagoon system that had been degraded by the unfinished construction of the residential estate.
The main success of the project was the improved status of the lagoon ecosystem. The status of the dune system was also improved. Sand retainers created during the project caused the sand to accumulate and the height of the dune was increased by approximately one metre.
Environmental benefits derive from the comprehensive and definitive restoration of La Pletera coastal lagoon system, especially as a result of the recovery of the ecological functions altered by the building work. The change in the landscape is evident and the improvements easily observed with the naked eye. The project team restored several habitat types of the Habitats Directive, namely, ‘Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand’ (1310), ‘Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi)’ (1410), ‘Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs (Sarcocornetea fruticosi)’ (1420), and the priority habitat ‘Coastal lagoons’ (1150*). The restoration also benefitted many species of Community interest in the La Pletera area. The work therefore improved the conservation status and functioning of coastal lagoons, dunes and the salt marsh habitats.
Monitoring showed the good results of the revegetation of the salt marsh and the dunes, as well as the improved ecological status of the lagoons. In particular, the improved status of endangered fish, the Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus), with the stabilisation of the population verified at the end of the project. This endemic fish is included in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive and is also classified as Endangered in the IUCN Red List.
The project beneficiaries developed efficient and effective dissemination activities to raise awareness about the ecological importance of the lagoon and dune ecosystems. In addition to a project website, information was targeted at the local population and at the scientific/technical level through publications and events.
In terms of policy, the project contributed to the objectives of the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. Due to the work to maintain and restore ecosystems and their services, the project also implements the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy.
One of the main values of the project was that it was a pioneering demonstration of the restoration of a coastal lagoon ecosystem that included the deconstruction of a substantial area of abandoned urbanisation. Furthermore, this demonstrative project proved that a full restoration of a seriously damaged ecosystem is possible. Therefore, the transferability potential of this project is high, as it can be replicated for restoring areas with similar problems. The lessons learnt from the deconstruction work could be applied for recovering other types of ecosystem and habitats.
In terms of socio-economic effects, the project beneficiaries raised awareness about the relevance of the ecosystem of La Pletera among all age groups of the local population, and among tourists. The work significantly improved the attractiveness of the area to visitors. As a consequence, it is expected that both residents of the area and tourists will have a greater appreciation of the value of the ecosystem of La Pletera, and that the recovery of the natural values of the area will facilitate the development of sustainable tourism.