The introduction of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) is considered one of the main causes of biodiversity loss, triggering the extinction of species and seriously affecting ecosystems. Unfortunately, the environment of the saltworks of San Pedro del Pinatar is under this threat…
The “Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar” Regional Park is classified as a Site of Community Interest (SCI), hosting certain habitats of interest in the context of the European Union. Among these, the Mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia) (1510) and the coastal dunes with Juniperus spp. (2250), both widely spread between the area occupied by the salt marshes and the Mediterranean coast (beaches of La Llana and Torre Derribada). However, the proximity of this enclave to urban environments has favoured their colonisation by exotic species, altering to a certain extent the typical vegetation community of these habitats.
The main IAS flora found in these habitats include, due to their extension in the area, their capacity for propagation and their harmful effects on the native flora, the Agave americana and the Carpobrotus edulis. The traditional use of A. americana in construction once made its cultivation common, however, the cessation of its management due to the use of more resistant materials has facilitated its rapid expansion. C. edulis, on the other hand, is a widely used species in landscaping, and its spread in the form of mulches or mats beyond urban areas is quite frequent. Both species have a serious impact on the native flora of these habitats, hindering their development and propagation under natural conditions, sometimes even completely displacing some endangered species.
In view of this situation, the LIFE SALINAS project includes among its main lines of action the manual removal of the invasive flora present in a large part of the surface area of the Regional Park. To date, numerous work sessions have been held, as well as the involvement of the local population and various groups. In total, work has been carried out on 115.5 hectares of priority habitats with the presence of invasive flora, removing more than 22,000 feet of A. americana and uncovering 2,945m2 of surface area invaded by C. edulis. The removed plant material was taken to collection points from where it was transferred to management and composting plants, thus preventing the new dispersal of seeds or propagules in the treated areas. In parallel to the removal of IAS, priority habitats are being recovered and reinforced by repopulating them with native flora, including species such as dune juniper (Juniperus turbinata), dune bellflower (Calystegia soldanela) and maritime carrot (Echinophora spinosa).
At the same time, sand collectors have also been installed to favour the regeneration of the dune environment in the most degraded areas. In addition, the surrounding area has been delimited and signposted to reduce pressure from trampling and facilitate the success of the repopulation and plant regeneration actions of the system. So far, the results obtained have been very satisfactory, with the recovery of the vegetation cover and the naturalness of the environment being evident. However, the development of actions to eliminate IAS will continue during the period of execution of the LIFE SALINAS Project and in subsequent years, within the framework of the collaboration and land stewardship agreement between the competent administrations, the saltworks operator (Salinera Española S.L.) and the Asociación de Naturalistas del Sureste (ANSE).
Pre-action 
After-action