In the Special Area of Conservation "SAC Serra del Xistral" (Lugo, Galicia, Spain), the human use of the space coexists with natural elements of high value. The LIFE IN COMMON LAND project proposes a model for the conservation of priority habitats of Atlantic wet heaths (4020*), active raised bogs (7110*) and active blanket bogs (7130*). All three represent different vegetation facies of environments with high soil moisture, dominated by shrub or herbaceous species, dedicated to extensive livestock and wild horse breeding. The present Model of Management Based on Conservation Outcomes was established with the objective of integrating existing uses in the Sierra with the conservation of these priority habitats.
This Model is based on a mapping of the habitats of the SAC and an evaluation of their conservation status, both of which were generated in the LIFE IN COMMON LAND project. The Model describes the different Conservation status and provides a Set of Indicators that define the quality of habitat for the favourable conservation status and for the alternative unfavourable conservation status. Favourable status wet heaths have limited cover of gorse and no ferns or tree species such as pine. Favourable peatlands contain a range of specialist plants characteristic of peatland environments.
LIFE IN COMMON LAND introduces a demonstration tool called the Scheme of Payments for Conservation Outcomes, for each Neighbourhood Common in Common Hand, depending on the presence, extent and quality of the different priority habitats in the Natura 2000 Network. Likewise, the Model establishes a series of Management Recommendations to maintain the priority habitats in a favourable Conservation Status, to improve their condition when they are in unfavourable alternative status, or even to restore those that no longer present the elements to be considered as priority habitats.
This model can be downloaded from the dissemination section of the LIFE IN COMMON LAND website, within the technical documents.
https://www.lifeincommonland.eu/en/technical-documentation
