Siruela (Badajoz). The Siruela communal estate, a vast area of 7,500 hectares managed by farmers and livestock breeders in the municipality, is making progress in an ambitious environmental restoration process as part of the European LIFE ScrubsNet project. The actions aim to recover lost biodiversity, improve water resources and reconcile traditional farming and livestock activities with the conservation of the pasture ecosystem.
In the initial diagnosis, technicians detected a degraded habitat, with little regeneration of holm oaks, an almost total absence of scrub and very impoverished grazing areas. An old unmarked royal cattle track and a livestock pond in the western area that holds water throughout the year, a key element for wildlife and restoration work, were also identified.
Among the actions carried out, the naturalisation of this pond stands out. It has been fenced off to prevent pressure from livestock and replanted with around 100 marsh and shrub species. In addition, holm oak acorns have been sown to encourage tree regeneration and an ‘insect hotel’ has been installed to boost the presence of pollinators.
In another area of the estate, covering 1.5 hectares, a pilot area has been created that combines cereal cultivation and controlled grazing, together with the planting of 75 holm oaks, riverside vegetation and wildlife refuges. Springs have also been rehabilitated using dry stone gabions and native scrub, protecting essential water points.
The project has also promoted the creation of 16 strategically distributed scrub islands and the excavation of seven small ponds for amphibians and reptiles, along with nest boxes for birds and shelters for bats.
After more than two years of monitoring, the average survival rate of the planted vegetation is around 39%, with particularly successful species such as Cistus monspeliensis, Salvia officinalis, Phillyrea angustifolia and Teucrium fruticans. Other plants, such as Arbutus unedo and Myrtus communis, have lower survival rates due to soil conditions or grazing pressure.
Those responsible for the project emphasise that these interventions lay the foundations for a sustainable management model for the Siruela pastureland, much of which is included in the Natura 2000 network. The local council, which is involved in the work, also plans to restore the old royal cattle track by marking it out and fencing it off to facilitate traditional livestock transit.