As part of the WP7 actions focused on managing human visitation in natural areas—particularly in areas of high ecological sensitivity due to the presence of vulnerable habitats and threatened species—targeted work has been initiated.
In recent years, the use of natural areas for outdoor activities has increased significantly. When these activities occur frequently or involve large numbers of people, they can negatively impact the conservation status of both the habitats and the species inhabiting them. Collecting data on visitor patterns is therefore essential to implement targeted management measures that are compatible with biodiversity conservation.
The LIFE UNCINATA* project has made it possible to carry out an ex situ diagnostic and characterization study of human visitation across the project’s implementation sites. Following several field visits to define specific interventions, in situ measures will be deployed to prevent and reduce the impacts of public use and recreational activities on black pine forest ecosystems in the Pyrenees.
These measures may include actions such as closing forest roads and tracks with physical barriers, or more specific interventions like blocking trails and footpaths that have direct impacts on sensitive habitats and species.