Format: ORAL

Lena Saiz1-2, Brais Hermosilla2, Roberto Núñez3, , Ignacio Artime3, Ignacio Díez3, Javier Cruz3, Miguel A. Acevedo3, Miguel Seoane4, Alfonso Louro4, Agustí Agut2 y Pablo Tejero4-5.

1 Pyrenean Institute of Ecology. 2 Olarizu Botanical Garden. Vitoria-Gasteiz Council. 3 Castilla y León County Council. CSIC. 4 Sustainable Climbing Galicia. 5. Sociedad de Ciencias Aranzadi.

Climbing has seen a rapid increase in the number of people practising the sport that has led into a growth in the number of outdoors climbing areas, which challenges the conservation of endemic plants related to rocky habitats. This has propelled administrations to develop mechanisms to protect this endemic species through regulation or ban of the activity in certain areas, specially in legally protected environments. Scientific knowledge must provide tools to assess the adequacy of these measures as well as methods to undertake restoration and reinforcement interventions to improve the status of protected species. CLIMB TO CONSERVE aims to reinforce two populations of plants listed as Vulnerable located in Bierzo region, Northwest area of Iberian Peninsula. In order to do that, a multidisciplinary team has been created, involving regional Administration, scientific community and climbers association. We work with Petrocoptis grandiflora Rothm. and Petrocoptis viscosa (Rothm.) P.Monts. Fern.Casas, two endemic species with a very restricted distribution that live in cracks, ledges and limestone overhangings. We focus on restorating one population of each specie that have been affected by non-regulated climbing activities, a challenge per se due to its lack of available water and its inaccessibility. The main contribution is the testing of restoration both in zones where climbing has been forbidden and is still taking place. We center our contribution on detailing the followed protocol and on discussing effects observed related to methods of sowing, sowing period and the effect of climbing in germination and survival of seedlings. CLIMB TO CONSERVE aims to join scientific criteria and the collaboration of climbers to restore affected plant populations. Furthermore, it sets a basis from where administration can implement regulations which help to create a conservation conscience and natural heritage custody in those who spend more time with these species, the climbers.