Species inventory of Nywala quarry, owned by Levantina, in Nerpio, Albacete (Spain)

Study Extent

The Nywala quarry is located in the ZEC-ZEPA "Sierra de Alcaraz y Segura y cañones del Segura y del Mundo", a Red Natura 2000 area that occupies a large part of the south-western quadrant of the province of Albacete (Spain), including most of its mountain systems, of great biological and geological value. The ZEC-ZEPA is the largest protected area in the province of Albacete and forms part, together with other Natura 2000 Network areas, of an ecological corridor extending from here to the Portuguese border. The main values that have motivated its declaration are the great geodiversity of its mountain systems, its extremely varied flora, with numerous endemic and endangered species, and its diverse fauna. The main plant formations are holm oak groves in the lower parts, and pine forests which, depending on altitude and exposure, can be, from lower to higher altitudes, of Aleppo pine, maritime pine and laricio pine, giving way to cushion scrub on the summits. The riparian plant communities are also of good quality, as well as the rocky and rock-wall communities. There are also occasional gall-oak groves, oak groves and maple groves. All these formations are home to a varied and rich flora, with the presence of some endemic species, such as the carnivorous Pinguicula mundi. The whole area is important for rock birds such as Bonelli's eagle, golden eagle, eagle owl and peregrine falcon, as well as for forest birds such as the booted eagle, short-toed eagle and goshawk. The presence of carnivorous mammals also stands out, as well as the Cabrera vole and otter, and endemic reptiles and amphibians such as the Valverde lizard and the Iberian midwife toad.

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. Amphibia
   rank: class

Most of the species the cheklist were identified to species level, but some only to genus level.

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

Area occupied by Nywala Quarry in Nerpio, Albacete (Spain).