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RESTORATION OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS IN PROTECTED AREAS IN THE ALPS AND PYRENEES

Media

In 2025, an innovative ecological restoration project transformed the Tres Estanys del Mig and Tres Estanys de Baix lakes. Using rotenone to remove invasive fish, the initiative helped create the conditions for native species to recover. Watch this video to discover the results.
Teresa Buchaca spoke about paleoecology, highlighting that high mountain lakes act as natural laboratories to observe human impact over time, and about restoring the ecological functionality of high mountain aquatic ecosystems.
The field campaigns of the project include the ecological monitoring of high mountain lakes. In this video we explain what they consist of and what measures we take.
Petrifying springs that form travertine and calcicolous fens are rare and highly valuable habitats in Europe. In the Catalan Pyrenees, a few examples exist that, although small, harbor incredible biodiversity and are considered very uncommon.
In the framework of the LIFE project, we’re studying 7 species of bats that live near wetlands and feed on insects. Using techniques like ultrasound recording, live captures, and droppings analysis, we’re learning more about their biology and health.
The Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus), endemic to clean, cold-water rivers and streams in the north, is one of the most mysterious and least-known mammals on the Iberian Peninsula.
The colonization and growth of pines in wetlands have more than doubled over the past 70 years. This increase is the result of the abandonment of traditional practices, rising global temperatures, and longer summer drought period.
In the Pyrenees, extensive livestock farming plays a crucial role in the economy and landscape management. However, it can also negatively impact sensitive alpine habitats, including wetlands. To mitigate these impacts, the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project will implement an innovative management system involving permanent and temporary enclosures.
Wet hay meadows are true biodiversity hotspots, home to rare plants, pollinators, birds, and soil arthropods. However, in many mountain regions, these meadows are in decline due to the gradual abandonment of traditional land management practices. Today, we are reviving traditional mowing using light machinery, combined with biomass removal and extensive grazing.
Second educational video about the effects of fish introduction in high-mountain lakes, in this case focused on the geographical context of the Italian Alps (Gran Paradiso National Park and Mont Avic Natural Park).
The summer months are always important for the entire LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project team — the fieldwork season begins. These field campaigns include the ecological monitoring of high-mountain lakes. This explanatory video shows the lake monitoring techniques used in the Italian Alps.
Let’s talk about amphibians! In our project, we focus on native species such as the Common Frog (Rana temporaria), found in both the Alps and the Pyrenees; and the Pyrenean Newt (Calotriton asper) and the Midwife Toad (Alytes obstetricans), which are only found in the Pyrenees. Unfortunately, these species are threatened by habitat fragmentation and the introduction of invasive fish into high-mountain lakes.
The event explores how to tackle the challenges of implementing this law at the local level, adapting environmental policies and socio-economic needs. Conservation experts, such as Marc Ventura, have shared ongoing projects to restore Catalan ecosystems (min 51:50).
The renaturalization of mountain lakes is a viable option that brings significant benefits for biodiversity and allows for the conservation and recovery of the fauna and flora of the ecosystem. We discuss this with Dirk S. Schmeller.
We are speaking with Dirk S. Schmeller about fish eradication methodologies in high mountain lakes
“Perchè eradicare i pesci alloctoni dai laghi
d’alta montagna” seminar by Dr. Rocco Tiberti (minute 2:32:00) within the framework of the conference “Arrestare le specie aliene e invasive per conservare la biodiversità” Federparchi.
High mountain lakes are unique spaces, where many highly threatened species live. Human activity is the main risk for these environments, which is why it is totally prohibited and penalized to bathe in them.
All the life forms typical of mountain lakes face great challenges. One of the main ones is the presence of foreign species, such as fish, that man introduced into these isolated environments, where they were not found naturally.
First audiovisual pill of the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project. In this short video, we explain what this project for the restoration of high mountain ecosystems in the Pyrenees and the Alps consists of.
This second video presents the project, featuring stunning images of the Alps and the involvement of Rocco Tiberti, the project coordinator in Italy. In the Alps, we work in more than 10 high mountain lakes and various aquatic habitats within the Gran Paradiso National Park and Parco Mont Avic.
First audiovisual pill of the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project. In this short video, we explain what this project for the restoration of high mountain ecosystems in the Pyrenees and the Alps consists of.
“Els aiguamolls d’alta muntanya, uns ambients singulars que cal gestionar” talk by Dr. Josep Mª Ninot, professor at the University of Barcelona and researcher of LIFE RESQUE ALPYR organized by Comú de Particulars de la Pobla de Segur.
The Life LimnoPirineus and Resque Alpyr projects promote the removal of fish from these lakes as an effective conservation action and a viable tool to restore the quality of these ecosystems and the communities that inhabit them (available with subtitles). A video from CENEAM – Ministerio de Transición Ecológica
Natural heritage through the CSIC long-term monitoring projects (LTER) in the Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monterperdido, in the Parc Nacional d’Agüestortes National and in the Parque Nacional de los Pico de Europa.
“Ecologia i conservació en estanys d’alta muntanya dels Pirineus” seminar by Dr. Marc Ventura organized by the IEA-UdG.
The Observatori del Patrimoni Natural (Natural Heritage Observatory) dedicates a video of the series State of Nature 2020 to the freshwater invasive species, with LIFE RESQUE ALPYR and LIFE LIMNOPIRINEUS as protagonists. Un video del CENEAM – Ministerio de Transición Ecológica
The program “From park to park” is a documentary series of 16 chapters dedicated to the 16 Spanish National Parks, produced by RTVE. The chapter is dedicated to the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, with the participation of various members of the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR project team.
Presentation of the LIFE RESQUE ALPYR at the Ecomuseum of the Valls d’Àneu (Esterri d’Àneu).
“Perchè eradicare i pesci alloctoni dai laghi
d’alta montagna” seminar by Dr. Rocco Tiberti (minute 2:32:00) within the framework of the conference “Arrestare le specie aliene e invasive per conservare la biodiversità” Federparchi.