The event took place on 25 September at the Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC) and, this year, focused on the conservation and restoration of ecosystems, under the theme “Knowledge at the service of nature”.

The evening began at the Enric “Kike” Ballesteros Auditorium with an introduction to the main concepts, questions and challenges related to the conservation and restoration of the natural environment. Afterwards, the activities moved to the Centre’s terrace, where participants had the opportunity to learn about various research projects, take part in outreach activities and talk directly with the scientific teams.

Among the participating projects was LIFE RESQUE ALPYR, which works to conserve and restore high mountain aquatic ecosystems in the Pyrenees and the Alps and protect the biodiversity they support. Through different conservation and restoration actions in the field, the project aims to reverse some of the impacts threatening these ecosystems and promote their recovery.

The LIFE RESQUE ALPYR activity introduced the public to the reality of high mountain aquatic ecosystems and the challenges they face. Through direct interaction with the project team, participants were able to discover why restoring these habitats is necessary, what actions are currently being carried out and how scientific research helps guide their recovery and conservation.

Participation in the Nit del CEAB was therefore an opportunity to bring this work closer to the public and to show how scientific knowledge can be translated into concrete conservation and restoration actions in the field, illustrating the theme that guided this year’s event: “Knowledge at the service of nature”.

In a friendly and participatory atmosphere, attendees were able to ask questions, share their concerns and reflect together on current and future environmental challenges, as well as on the role that science can play in addressing them.

We invite you to join a series of free guided outings to discover the high-mountain aquatic habitats of the Pyrenees, true ecological treasures that support remarkable biodiversity and are particularly vulnerable to environmental pressures.

These activities combine environmental education with exploration of the local landscape, offering routes suitable for all ages and designed for families to enjoy together.

• Time: 9.00 am to 2.00 pm
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate (between 2 and 6 km, with elevation gains of 100 to 450 m)
• Please bring: A packed snack, water, warm clothing and sun protection
• Free activities with compulsory advance registration

The outings take place in two exceptional protected natural areas:

Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici

Bookings: info@salvatgines.com | +34 627 75 32 05

• 30 July: Investiguem els estanys – Visita a l’Estanyola del Gerber

Discover the wildlife and flora of the high-mountain lakes and learn about the conservation and restoration actions being carried out through the RESQUE ALPYR project. Difficulty: Easy, suitable for the whole family.

• 6 August: El secret dels prats de dall – Planes de Son

Learn about the natural value of traditional hay meadows and how their management helps to support biodiversity. We will also explore the conservation actions being implemented as part of the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project. Difficulty: Easy, suitable for the whole family.

• 13 August: Investiguem els estanys – Visita a l’Estany Frescau i Colomina

Discover the wildlife and flora of the high-mountain lakes, the main threats they face, and their ecological importance. The excursion starts from the upper station of the Vall Fosca cable car. Time: 9.30 am to 2.30 pm (free transport provided) Difficulty: Easy, recommended for children aged 12 and over.

Parc Natural de l’Alt Pirineu

Bookings: info@salvatgines.com | +34 627 75 32 05

• 20 August: Estany de Muntanyó d’Àrreu i molleres de Clots de Rialba

At the lake, participants will learn about its natural values, observe local species, and discuss the introduction of fish and the restoration actions carried out through the project.

For those who wish, the walk can be extended to the Clots de Rialba peatlands. Although these are not part of the project area, they provide an excellent opportunity to discover peatland habitats and learn about their ecological significance. Difficulty: Moderate, recommended for children aged 12 and over.

• 27 August: Descobrim la mollera del Pla de Boet

Explore one of the Pyrenees’ most unique and threatened ecosystems and learn about the conservation and restoration measures being implemented through the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project. Difficulty: Easy, suitable for the whole family.

• 5 September: Sortida familiar a la Font de la Tosca

Starting from El Fornet Refuge, this easy walk offers an opportunity to learn about the natural values of the park, its carbonated springs, and the restoration work carried out within the framework of the RESQUE ALPYR project. Difficulty: Easy, suitable for the whole family.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy nature, learn something new, and reconnect with the outdoors. Reserve your place and come and explore the lakes and wetlands of the Pyrenees with us!

The activities combine environmental education with exploration of the local area, featuring routes suitable for all ages and designed for families to enjoy together.

• Schedule: 9 AM to 2 PM
• Difficulty: Low to moderate (between 2 and 6 km, and 100 to 450 meters of elevation gain)
• What to bring: breakfast, water, warm clothing, suitable walking shoes, a hat, and sun protection.
• Free activities with mandatory prior registration

The outings take place in two exceptional natural areas:

Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici

Registrations: pnaiguestortes@gencat.cat | 973 62 40 36

• July 10: Investigating the Lakes – Visit to l’Estanyola del Gerber

We’ll explore the flora and fauna of high-mountain lakes and the conservation and restoration actions of the RESQUE ALPYR project. Difficulty: Low, suitable for the whole family. 130 meters of elevation gain.

• August 14: Investigating the Lakes – Visit to estany Gento

We’ll discover the unique biodiversity of high-mountain lakes and learn about the project’s environmental efforts. Difficulty: Low, suitable for the whole family. Elevation gain from estany Gento to estany Tort: 160 m. Elevation gain from estany Gento to estany de Colomina: 270 m.

• August 21: The Secret of Hay Meadows – Planes de Son

We’ll learn about the natural value of hay meadows and how traditional land management supports biodiversity, along with the conservation work being done under the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project. Difficulty: Low, suitable for the whole family. Almost no elevation gain, as the walk takes place in meadows in front of the MónNatura Center.

Parc Natural de l’Alt Pirineu

Registrations: info@salvatgines.com | 627 75 32 05

• July 24: Family Outing to the Font de la Tosca

Starting from Refugi El Fornet, this easy walk includes explanations about the park’s natural features, the carbonate springs, and the conservation work carried out as part of the RESQUE ALPYR project. Difficulty: Low, suitable for the whole family.

• August 7: Estany de Muntanyó d’Àrreu and Wetlands of Clots de Rialba

At the lake, we’ll observe its natural features, collect water samples, examine local species, and discuss the introduction of fish and related project actions. Optionally, the walk can extend to the Clots de Rialba wetlands (not directly part of the project) to learn about their ecological importance. Difficulty: Moderate, recommended for children aged 12 and up.

• September 20: Discovering the Mollera de Prat Muntaner

We’ll explore this high-mountain wetland ecosystem, observe its rich flora and fauna, and learn about its ecological significance and the restoration efforts of the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project. Difficulty: Low, suitable for the whole family.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy, learn, and reconnect with nature. Reserve your spot and come explore the lakes and wetlands of the Pyrenees with us!

Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with all our activities: Parc Natural de l’Alt Pirineu, Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, LIFE RESQUE ALPYR.

Explore, observe, and collaborate — these are the three key steps to becoming a vital part of the project. Thanks to your observations of aquatic flora and fauna in high mountain lakes, we can gather essential data to better understand these fragile and protected ecosystems and apply improved conservation strategies.

How to participate

Taking part is easy — all you need is a mobile device and the desire to contribute to science:

• Download the iNaturalist app (available for iOS and Android).
• Create an account and search for the project: LIFE RESQUE ALPYR.
• Observe aquatic flora and fauna in high mountain lakes.
• Take a photo and upload your observation. For our research, fish and amphibians are especially valuable!
• Add the species name if you know it (if not, the iNaturalist community will help).
• Include the exact location — if you don’t have coverage, you can save the data and upload it later.

To make it even easier, we’ve prepared a visual guide infographic explaining all the steps clearly. You can download (horizontal or vertical) or view it here.

Why your participation matters

Observing and collecting data in high mountain environments is not easy. But with your help, we can overcome this challenge and gather valuable information on priority species and habitats — especially those located in Natura 2000 areas.

This shared knowledge helps us make better decisions for biodiversity conservation and strengthens the connection between science and society.

Join the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project on iNaturalist!

With each observation, you actively contribute to protecting some of the most spectacular and vulnerable landscapes in Europe.

Turn your visit to mountain lakes into a scientific action!

One of the event highlights was the participation of the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project. Jordi Delgado, educational coordinator from Sorellona, opened the event with an introductory talk explaining about the project’s objectives, the main conservation actions being carried out, and why removing invasive species is crucial to protecting the natural balance of these glacial lakes, formed thousands of years ago.

Later, during the workshop sessions, students took on the role of scientists with the activity “The Food Web in High Mountain Lakes.” This interactive game invited them to explore how species were connected in these ecosystems and how a single invasive species could disrupt the entire food chain and threaten ecological balance.

Through play and reflection, participants learned about the extreme conditions in these lakes — very low temperatures, scarce nutrients, and months of darkness due to snow and ice — and discovered the species adapted to live there. They also saw how human action could help restore these environments.

This workshop aimed to foster ecological awareness from an early age, equipping young learners with the knowledge and curiosity to understand, appreciate, and protect their natural surroundings.

The LIFE RESQUE ALPYR team is proud to take part in this educational initiative, which is organized by the Green Schools Network, with the support of the Pont de Suert Town Council, the Wildlife Centre, and Fundesplai.

A day to learn, share, and above all, reconnect with nature in a meaningful and conscious way.

The LimnoPirineus project is a LIFE+ Nature project aimed at improving the conservation status of aquatic species and habitats of European interest in the high mountain areas of the Pyrenees and is the predecessor of the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project.

Raising Awareness and Local Impact: What the Exhibition Offers

This outreach exhibition aims to raise awareness about the great value of these continental aquatic ecosystems, their biodiversity, the threats they face, and the importance of their conservation. Through various informative panels, the public can learn about endangered species such as the common midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans) and the common frog (Rana temporaria), among other specific examples of Pyrenean fauna.

Continental aquatic systems are rare environments that occupy only 2% of the Earth’s surface and are generally highly threatened. They are ecosystems with very specific and sensitive flora and fauna, where endangered species abound. In the Pyrenees, these wetland ecosystems are often considered very natural places. However, even though they are found in little altered landscapes, human intervention as a modifying agent has not been absent.

Science Outreach in the Neighborhoods: Science in the Neighborhood

The exhibition was brought to the school as part of the “Ciència al Barri” project, an initiative by the CSIC that brings scientific outreach activities to neighborhoods in Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona that traditionally lacked this cultural offer. Through workshops, lectures, reading clubs, exhibitions, and guided visits to research centers, the project brings students closer to the world of scientific research, which is often unknown to many.

This initiative is led by the Vice Presidency for Scientific Culture and Citizen Science of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), with support from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities. The first five editions of this project were made possible thanks to the funding from the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), which is part of the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

If you would like to request the “Nature and Conservation of Wetlands in the Pyrenees” exhibition for your educational center, you can do so through the following link.

This day commemorates the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran, on February 2, 1971. Officially recognized by the Convention in 1997 and by the United Nations in 2021, World Wetlands Day has grown into a global movement. However, despite their importance, these ecosystems are disappearing three times faster than forests, with a global loss of 35% since 1970.

In this context, each year a theme is chosen to highlight a key aspect of conservation. The 2025 theme, “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” emphasizes the importance of collective action to preserve these areas as critical ecosystems for a sustainable planet. The campaign focuses on three key messages:

• Value wetlands. They are essential for water security, biodiversity, and climate resilience, providing countless benefits to humanity.
• Protect wetlands. Safeguarding them ensures the continuity of their critical ecological and social roles.
• Inspire action. The restoration and conservation of wetlands require collaborative efforts from all sectors of society.

These actions are more necessary than ever to reverse current trends and secure the future of these irreplaceable ecosystems.

High Mountain Natural Treasures

High mountain wetlands are true natural treasures, valued for their rarity, fragility, and the unique species they support. For this reason, they have been included in the Natura 2000 network.

The Natura 2000 Network, an initiative of the European Commission, aims to protect and improve the conservation status of Europe’s most valuable habitats and species. Member states are responsible for ensuring the protection of this network.

The LIFE Program, also promoted by the European Commission, funds projects aimed at improving these habitats or species that are particularly threatened. A key example of this initiative is the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project, which focuses on conserving and restoring high mountain aquatic ecosystems in the Pyrenees.

The project not only aims to preserve natural habitats but also to reverse the impacts caused by human activity and climate change. Through concrete actions, LIFE RESQUE ALPYR contributes to improving lakes, rivers, and peatlands, ensuring their ecological functionality and preserving native biodiversity.

In the Pyrenees, there are four major types of wetlands: rivers, lakes, springs, and peatlands. They differ based on whether the water is flowing or still and whether vegetation covers most of their surface. All of them are part of what are known as continental wetlands.

Most of the lakes and wetlands in the Pyrenees were formed around 10,000 years ago when receding glaciers filled the basins carved by ice erosion with water.

These ecosystems are essential not only for their great biological diversity but also because they regulate the water and climate cycles, help control floods and droughts, supply water resources, and serve as refuges for wildlife. At the same time, they are key areas for human activities such as tourism and fishing.

Wetlands Are Much More Than Natural Spaces

They are essential connecting ecosystems that facilitate species movement and maintain genetic diversity and population health.

• They host 40% of all known animal and plant species, including endangered, threatened, and endemic species that cannot survive anywhere else.
• Freshwater wetlands are biodiversity hotspots, home to almost all amphibians, half of all fish, and more than one-third of all vertebrates.
• However, they are threatened by multiple factors, such as invasive alien species, which compete with native biodiversity, and pollution from urban and industrial areas—even when the pollution sources are far away.

The conservation, management, and restoration of wetlands depend on the knowledge, experience, and active participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities.

Celebrate World Wetlands Day!

To celebrate World Wetlands Day, we invite you to explore Mollera d’Escalarre with an interpretive guide and a researcher from the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project. This is an opportunity to learn, enjoy, and connect with nature and our natural heritage.

• Location: Guingueta d’Àneu
• Start time: 10:30 AM
• Free activity for all audiences with limited spots available.
• Reserve your spot using the QR code on the poster. For more information: 973 62 23 35.

This event stands out because institutions and research centers open their doors to the public for two weeks, allowing visitors to discover the latest scientific advances and ongoing research projects. At CEAB-CSIC, the activities took place on November 13, 14, and 15, with general public visits and special morning sessions for local secondary schools.

Exploring the Lakes of the Pyrenees

During the visits, students enjoyed a unique experience through the themed tour: “Conservation of High Mountain Lakes in the Pyrenees.” This tour allowed young participants to explore how these sensitive ecosystems function, understand the impacts of introduced species on native flora and fauna, and learn about the restoration efforts being carried out to preserve these habitats.

Participants also had the opportunity to see the equipment used in field sampling campaigns, examine macroinvertebrate samples under a microscope, and participate in sample analysis tasks in the laboratories.

The activity included visits to several CEAB-CSIC laboratories, highlighting:

• Clean Lab: An environmental DNA laboratory where genetic material is sequenced to identify species and build barcode libraries (barcoding). Students learned how identified taxonomic groups relate to species using advanced microscopy techniques.
• UHPLC Laboratory (Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography): This lab analyzes liposoluble pigments to study the seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton and characterize its communities. This technique is key to understanding the ecological processes of high mountain lakes.

An Experience to Inspire Future Scientists

These activities were designed to spark scientific curiosity and showcase how research is conducted in high mountain lakes, emphasizing the importance of their conservation. The active participation of students in various phases of the scientific process allowed them to experience firsthand how researchers work, fostering interest in science and nature.

The first video, titled “How to Eradicate Fish from High-Mountain Lakes,” presents the project’s main goals, focusing on the conservation and restoration of these lake ecosystems. High-mountain lakes are traditionally isolated from valley rivers by natural barriers that prevent the arrival of fish. However, many of these lakes now host fish species introduced through historical interventions, which have disrupted the natural ecological balance. These introduced species have become invasive, negatively affecting native fauna and the ecological quality of the habitat.

The video also highlights the collaboration with the FishME project, which uses a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the impact of fish and pollution, and to develop practical tools for managing and restoring mountain lakes.

In the second video, “Mountain Lake Rewilding Works!” Dr. Ventura explains how, after removing the introduced fish species, the original fauna of these lakes begins to recover. This rewilding has led to the return of native species, especially amphibians and macroinvertebrates, and has facilitated the recolonization of small mammals such as the Pyrenean desman, a rodent that relies on aquatic insects for food.

These videos emphasize the importance of conserving and restoring mountain ecosystems and demonstrate essential tools for effective, evidence-based management of these unique natural environments.

This event is part of the European Researchers’ Night, which promotes activities that allow the public to engage directly with researchers in an accessible and engaging environment.

The evening began with a visit to the interactive exhibition “Augmented Ecofeminisms: Climate, Water, and Women”, which highlighted the major challenges facing continental water ecosystems around the world. The exhibition not only addressed ecological impacts but also explored the socio-economic consequences, which disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls.

Based on the content of the exhibition, several CEAB researchers, experts in limnology, explained key concepts such as eutrophication, salinization, biodiversity loss, and the different forms of pollution affecting freshwater ecosystems. They also emphasized the increasing frequency of extreme events like droughts and the consequences they entail.

In addition, various research projects conducted by the CEAB in rivers, lakes, wetlands, and high mountain ponds were presented, including preliminary results from the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project.

Teresa Buchaca, a researcher at the CEAB and part of the project, was one of the main speakers of the event. During her presentation, she explained fundamental concepts related to biodiversity loss in freshwater ecosystems and answered the audience’s questions. She also provided a detailed overview of the project’s objectives and opened a discussion on the actions that can be taken, both individually and collectively, to protect high mountain lakes.