Species Inventory of Mármoles MAM Quarry in Castril, Granada (Spain)

Study Extent

The specific sampling area has been the MAM marble quarry "Emperador de Castril", which is located in the municipality of Castril (Granada, Spain), in the "Campocebas" area (Sierra de Castril Natural Park). At present it has a surface area of 100.8 ha, of which 24.2 ha are in operation and 13.4 ha are restored. The surveys were visual censuses carried out throughout the area to identify the main species present of flora and fauna. The census was carried out on a single day, in the spring season (08-04-2021).

Sampling

The sampling protocols used for habitats, birds and fauna are described below: Habitats Different linear transects were carried out to cover the entire study area in each of the quarries and their immediate outer perimeter, with the aim of locating and estimating the vegetation present. The habitats present were also identified and the extent of each of them was estimated using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software. The transects were carried out on foot in parallel, maintaining distances of between 10 and 15 metres between them in order to cover the entire transect band. Birds Fixed-width transects were carried out following the methodology developed by Järvinen and Väisänen in 1975. For this purpose, walking transects were carried out, noting all birds detected (visual and/or auditory contacts) and differentiating those found in an inner band of 25 m on either side of the observer from those found further away. The surveys were carried out on foot at a constant speed of between 1.5 and 2 km/h and took place during the breeding season (month). Herpetofauna Observations of herpetofauna were made along the transects described above. All species detected during these transects were recorded. In addition, specific sampling was carried out for these species in the habitats identified as optimal for these faunal groups (e.g. seasonal ponds).

Quality Control

The works documenting the methods and procedures used in the study are as follows: Relevant literature: CARRASCAL, L.M. y PALOMINO, D. 2005. Preferencias de hábitat, densidad y diversidad de las comunidades de aves en Tenerife (Islas Canarias). Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 28: 101-119. JÄRVINEN, O. y VÄISÄNEN, R.A. 1977. Line transect method: a standard for field-work. Polish Ecol. Stud., 3: 7-17. TELLERÍA, J.L. 1986. Manual para el censo de los vertebrados terrestres. Raíces, Madrid, España. Braun-Blanquet, J. (1977). Fitosociología. Editorial Blume, Madrid. 820 pp. Materials and Software: The materials used for this work were. IGN software for field data collection and subsequent visualisation in QGIS (QGIS.org, 2022. QGIS Geographic Information System. QGIS Association. http://www.qgis.org), collection of species using space, and subsequent data dumping for the creation of an excel database. Topographic maps and orthophotos at a scale of 1:5,000, and binoculars.

Method steps

1. The generation of this database arises from the context of the BioReSTONE Project, developed by CTM, with the support of the Fundación Biodiversidad of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of Spain. The initiative aims to help natural stone quarries to comply with their restoration obligations stipulated in Law 22/1973 on Mines of 21 July and RD 975/2009 based on a vision that is more in line with current social and environmental demands. To this end, it was determined necessary to carry out field sampling of the four quarries included in the project. Sampling focused on vegetation and habitats, ornithofauna and herpetofauna. Birds are excellent indicators of biodiversity status, not only because their population trends integrate many ecological factors, but also because they are present in all habitats, are very sensitive to environmental changes and are generally easy to sample. Herpetofauna was included because water accumulations are found in the area.

All species in the cheklist were identified to species level.

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom
2. Chordata
   rank: phylum
3. Aves
   rank: class
4. Sauropsida
   rank: class
5. Amphibia
   rank: class

All species in the cheklist were identified to species level.

1. Plantae
   rank: kingdom
2. Tracheophyta
   rank: phylum
3. Magnoliopsida
   rank: class
4. Pinopsida
   rank: class
5. Apogonia
   rank: class
6. Liliopsida
   rank: class

Area occupied by Mármoles MAM Quarry in Castril, Granada (Spain).