The conservation organization SEO/BirdLife has launched several initiatives in different parts of Spain with a common goal: to protect and promote biodiversity in very diverse ecosystemsFrom the countryside to the city, including protected island areas, these projects combine science, technology and collaboration with public and private entities to achieve a real impact.
The three performances, although different in their approach, share the use of scientific methodologies and rigorous monitoring of resultsFurthermore, all of these initiatives involve local partners and aim to serve as models for future conservation policies. Each of these experiences is detailed below.
Dairy Ecosystems: Biodiversity in the Countryside
In northern Spain, SEO/BirdLife and Nestlé have joined forces in the Dairy Ecosystems project, an initiative that seeks to reconcile dairy production with nature conservationFor just over two years, actions have been implemented such as the creation of hedges with native species, the planting of flower strips for pollinators, the restoration of stone walls, and the installation of nest boxes for birds and bat roosts. Pastures are also being improved through new grazing strategies, and ponds are being constructed. All of this is being scientifically monitored to evaluate the results and demonstrate that a more sustainable production model is possible.
Valencia-BioSoundScape: artificial intelligence for urban biodiversity
In Valencia, the City Council and the Polytechnic University, with the collaboration of SEO/BirdLife, have developed Valencia-BioSoundScape, a project that It uses artificial intelligence and acoustic monitoring to analyze urban biodiversityFor 18 months, sensors have been installed at eight strategic points in the Turia Gardens and the Albufera wetlands, recording the soundscape at dawn and dusk. The IoT-based system identifies bird species in real time using the BirdNET classifier. The results can be viewed on a web platform that includes birdwatching routes designed by SEO/BirdLife, promoting ecotourism and environmental awareness.
La Graciosa: the threat of cats to island biodiversity
In the Canary Islands, SEO/BirdLife has submitted a document to the General Directorate of Natural Spaces and Biodiversity to to report the release of at least one hundred cats on La Graciosa In July 2024, a protected area within the Natura 2000 network was affected. The organization cites a recent study demonstrating how feline colonies reduce the number of lizards and affect their size, as well as threatening seabirds. The study also indicates that feeding the cats does not prevent them from hunting and that capture and sterilization methods are not effective in the long term. SEO/BirdLife demands urgent measures, such as the removal of the animals, and calls for transparency in the handling of the case.
These three initiatives demonstrate that biodiversity conservation in Spain requires a multidisciplinary approach and the involvement of multiple actorsSEO/BirdLife continues working to ensure that science and collaboration are the foundation for protecting our ecosystems.