Description:
The general objective of CONMOSAICO is to contribute to the development of ecological restoration techniques and projects focused on the recovery of processes, patterns and structures that generate spatial heterogeneity and connectivity, such as differential grazing, habitat mosaics and linear corridors, in order to recover multifunctional, resilient, adaptive and more biodiverse landscapes.
The starting hypothesis of the project is that the explicit inclusion of spatial heterogeneity and elements that generate ecological connectivity is essential for ecological restoration projects to give rise to multifunctional, resilient, adaptive and more biodiverse systems. Although spatial heterogeneity can be achieved through different routes, our project focuses on the generation of mosaics, the inclusion of key structures and the spatial and seasonal management of herbivory with domestic livestock. Connectivity is considered in a multi-scalar manner, and includes both the need for connectors, typically linear, at small scales, and the imbrication of the restored enclaves in a broader landscape and regional context, thus contributing to improving ecological connectivity at higher spatial scales. , following the model of livestock track networks.
The project is structured into three large specific objectives: (a) Document the effects on biodiversity and ecological functioning of certain processes, patterns and structures that generate spatial heterogeneity in Mediterranean landscapes, in order to identify appropriate reference states for the ecological restoration projects; (b) Evaluate the particular case of livestock routes from the perspective of ecological restoration, analyzing the initial state of the network, the typology of actions carried out on them, and addressing, experimentally, some restoration techniques aimed at enhance their role as ecological connectors and reservoirs of biodiversity; and (c) Launch an ecological restoration project of a demonstrative nature on the Cantoblanco campus of the UAM, which allows testing the effectiveness of different techniques for generating heterogeneous landscapes, and which can be monitored in the long term through the participation of the university community in service-learning projects, academic works and teaching practices.
Financing Entity: Ministry of Science and Innovation (Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, Next Generation-EU Funds)
Participating Entities: Autonomous University of Madrid (Socio-Ecosystems Laboratory and Terrestrial Ecology Group)
RESEARCHERS
Autonomous University of Madrid
Francisco Martín Azcárate
José A. González Nóvoa
Paloma Alcorlo Pagés
César López Santiago
Marina García Llorente
Ana Margarida Coelho dos Santos
Violeta Hevia Martín