Dune and pool restoration in Cortadura beach (SW Spain)

Abstract

Extensive Spanish dune areas were totally altered due to massive littoral building projects during the 1960's. After the 1988 Spanish Shore Act, the Coastal Authority, Ministry of Environment has been aware of the problem and has undertaken a strong polic of dune restoration. Amongst the present experiences, the restoration of "La Gallega"- a fresh water pond- and the surrounding dunes should be highlighted. Techniques developed for a sustainable management(definition of land uses,restriction of vehicle access, cleaning of the area, installation of facilities for the visitors, impermeabilization, sand trapping, revegetation, environmental information, etc.) are explained. The cost of all the units involved in the project, as well as the measures taken into account to get the different authorities involved in the coastal zonemanagement (National and Regional Governments, Municipalities, Army, etc.) to an agreement were also important. Furthermore, other complementary actionscarried out to guaranteea minimum level of fresh water at the pond and to improve its water quality will increasethe biodiversityby achieving the recovery of some protected species of amphibianslike Pleurodeles walt and Pelobatescultripes. Finaly, a monitoring campaign will be carried out in order to check the suitability of the former activities