Restoration and improvement of Priority Habitat 9370* Palm groves of Phoenix

Endemic palm groves in Europe of genus Phoenix create important natural and semi-natural ecosystems with an outstanding ecological and socio-economical value that are only present in Spain (with Phoenix canariensis in the Canary Islands) and Greece (with P. theophrasti in Crete). Their uniqueness justify the inclusion in Annex I of the EU Directive 92/43 and the designation as Priority Habitat 9370* “Palm groves of Phoenix”, with a total of only 53 Natura 2000 (N2K) sites designated for its conservation at the EU level.

Both species, and the habitat they configure, face similar conservation problems in both regions. The main shared threats are related to climate change effects, pests and invasive plant species. Other important issues are more directly linked to human activities, with different level of importance depending on the region: in Gran Canaria, hybridization with P. dactylifera due to past bad practices; in Crete, overgrazing and tourist visitor pressure, while hybridization and pests are mainly considered through a precautionary approach.
The overall aim of LIFE Phoenix is to improve the conservation status of Priority Habitat 9370* in the islands of Gran Canaria and Crete by developing a comprehensive strategy including: mitigation of the main general risks (droughts, forest fires, overgrazing, visitor pressure, hybridization), restoration of natural palm groves through appropriate management techniques, prevention and control of pest and IAS, reforestation, environmental governance and awareness rising.

In order to achieve these goals, it is necessary to involve all competent authorities (public administrations, local governments, scientific institutions), the main stakeholders (ornamental plant sector, private and public gardens, farmers and stock-breeders, tourism associations and hotels, environmental NGOs, volunteers), as well as the local communities from Gran Canaria and Crete, working together and looking for effective solutions to common The overall aim of LIFE Phoenix is to improve the conservation status of priority habitat 9370* on the islands of Gran Canaria and Crete by developing a comprehensive strategy which factors in the  mitigation of the main risks spanning droughts, forest fires, overgrazing, tourism and hybridisation. The restoration of natural palm groves can be enhanced by applying appropriate management techniques, the prevention and control of pests and invasive alien species (IAS), reforestation efforts, robust environmental governance and awareness rising.Specific objectives:  Improvement of the general conservation status of habitat 9370* and its associated biodiversity through in-situ conservation management, reduction of hybridisation risks, reforestation and measures aimed at mitigating climate change in the target areas;Development of a strategy for prevention, early detection and control/eradication of pests and invasive alien plant species affecting habitat 9370* in prioritised intervention areas;Implementation of an ex-situ conservation strategy including specific seed banks and endemic phoenix palm production;Reduction of direct anthropic impacts on Phoenix stands in Crete  such as overgrazing and visitor pressure;Implementation of a governance roadmap for habitat 9370* involving public authorities, key stakeholders and local population;Increase in public awareness among stakeholders, students, visitors and local population about the socio-ecological importance of the endemic palm grove habitats and associated ecosystem services in both locations. Related to specific objective 1: 72.3 hectares (ha) (100 % of the target 9370* habitat in both countries) for forest fire risk prevention, 36 ha (50 % of the target habitat in both countries) managed through "preventive grazing&rdquo, 72.3 ha (100% of the target 9370* habitat) of restored habitat surface, 22.5 ha (50 % of the target habitat on Gran Canaria) of improved surface in ravines (soil structure and hydrology), a 50 % increase in the abundance and a 20 % increase in the diversity of keystone plant species, a 30 % increase in the abundance and a 20 % increase in the diversity of pollinators, one protocol for molecular analyses updated on Gran Canaria and replicated in Crete (especially in Vai, Chrisoskalitissa, and Plakias), 100 genetic samples analyzed on each island, a 50 % reduction of hybridization in target areas of Gran Canaria, implementation of hybridization preventive measures in Crete, 72.3 ha (100 % of the target habitat) reforested, and 30 000 keystone species planted at each location.Related to specific objective 2: One citizen science network created in Gran Canaria, 15 stakeholders involved in developing an early detection and information relay mechanism in Crete for the prevention of pests and fungal infections, one specific regulation and two protocols in operation, 100 pheromone traps installed in Gran Canaria, detection of D. Frumenti across 22.5 ha (50 % of the target habitat on Gran Canaria), and control/eradication of invasive plant species on 36 ha (50 % of the target habitat).Related to specific objective 3: One protocol for genetic quality palm production, collection of 4 000-6 000 seeds in each place, two seed banks set up in Gran Canaria and Crete, enrichment of the seed banks maintained at the Canary Islands Botanic Garden and the MAICH-CHIEAM research centre in Crete as a result of the LIFE-Cretaplant project, storage of germplasm from all palm groves and enrichment with new seeds, estimated production of 5 000 seedlings by the end of the project in both countries.Related to specific objective 4: 5.5 km of fences installed in Crete, a 25 % increase in the protected fenced area in Vai including three hectares not previously fenced off and 2.2 ha with sparsely located palms and new planned reforestation, one km of fences in Preveli to restrict access to visitors and feral animals, 1.8 ha fenced in off Chrysoskalitisa, and the installation of eight information boards in the six target palm groves and other locations, including the largest palm stands outside Natura 2000 present in the international airports of Heraklion, Chania, and Sitia, as well as the cruise home ports of Heraklion, Chania, Sitia, and Ag. Nikolaos for providing visitor information on the importance of habitat 9370*.Related to specific objective 5: At least one working group set up on each location involving at least 10 stakeholders including experts, farmers, foresters, stock-breeders, ornamental plant sector, tourist sector, monasteries, etc., one volunteer network in Crete, one citizen science network fostered by the project in Gran Canaria, six collaboration agreements and codes of conduct signed, six technical workshops carried out, one specific regulation designed, two management plans, three protocols and one guidelines manual developed.Related to specific objective 6: More than 200 000 people informed in both countries;100 000 visitors informed in both locations, 50 000 people informed through social media networks in both countries, 100 talks or workshops developed in both countries for 1 500 people approximately.