Nature Protection & Biodiversity Policy (Andalucía)

Editor's note 20Mar14: Sources D142-6. and D342-4.

Sites of Community Importance (SCI) are established in Andalucía in 2003 by Law 18/2003. This law applies to protected natural areas including those that are part of the European ecological network Natura 2000, (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC).

• ES6150018 "Río Guadiana Ribera of Chanza", with an area of 1,545 ha, along 77 km stretch of river and the east bank of both streams, corresponding to 52 km of the Guadiana and the adjacent riparian zones.
• SCI ES6150010, with 52,902 ha. It covers the counties of Sanlúcar de Guadiana and El Granado, and most of San Silvestre de Guzmán, El Almendro, and Puebla de Guzmán, in addition to extensions of lower Ayamonte, Paymogo, Cartaya, Lepe, and Villanueva de los Castillejos.
• SCI ES6150015, with a surface of 386 ha known as the "Isla de San Bruno", in the marshes of the Guadiana.
• SCI ES6150005, coinciding with the Paraje Everglades Natural de las Isla Cristina" (2,385 ha).
• SCI ES6150020, a small section of "Arroyo del Alamillo" in the municipality of Villablanca.

Today, under Decree 95/2003, the Network of Protected Natural Spaces of Andalucía (RENPA) is an integrated and unified network of natural areas. The RENPA covers 247 spaces, with a total surface of about 2.8 million hectares, (representing approximately 30.5% surface of Andalucía). The RENPA objectives are:

• Coordination of general management systems of protected natural areas.
• External promotion of protected natural areas
• Collaboration in national and international programmes dealing with natural areas and wildlife.
• Information sharing with other networks or systems of protection,
• The promotion of values, attitudes, and respectful behaviour to nature to the inhabitants of protected natural areas and, in general, all Andalusians.
• The promotion and sustainable development of natural resources.

At the local scale, the Directorate General of Planning established (2007) the Special Plans on Environmental Protection, which contain necessary measures for urban development in order to ensure the protection of the natural (physical) environment. Accordingly, Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity of Andalucía, established the Natural Resources Management Plans (PORN). The plans were also linked with forestry as a planning tool. The preparation of Master Plans for Use and Management (PRUG) of Natural Protected Areas was also established by the same Law (42/2007). The PRUG is to be developed by Natural Parks detailing objectives, guidelines, standards, regulation on different uses and activities, as well as guidelines for management of natural resources. Also, it overrides the urban planning and determines the inconsistency with the existing development rules.

Andalucía also has in place a Plan for Biodiversity Conservation with three programmes with specific objectives and measures: The Habitat Conservation Programme, The Wildlife Conservation Programme, and The High Value Ecosystem Management Programme. Biodiversity policy is of particular relevance to the Baixo Guadiana study site due to the presence of the Dehesa which constitutes a protected habitat under the Habitats Directive. The Dehesas of Sierra Morena have also been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

The main policy actor is the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment of the Government of Andalucía, responsible for (amongst others): biodiversity, natural protected areas, water, natural and soil conservation, forestry management, erosion control activities, forest fire prevention and control, environmental quality, drought and waste management, and environmental information. Each Natural Protected Area has its own management board integrated by regional, provincial and local authorities, stakeholders, scientists, and local citizens. While there is a general understanding that the area is important for biodiversity, there is general lack of clarity with the regard to the actual meaning and possibilities of this characterisation. Implementation of the policy in the field is therefore questionable. Uncertainty and rejection are also present. Obstacles relate to the lack of communication with local populations, the absence of dedicated funding instruments and the scarce progress in terms of the planning and management of areas of the Natura 2000 Network.

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