The ZEPA del Alto Guadiato: a refuge for steppe birds in Córdoba

The Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) of Alto Guadiato, in the northwest of the province of Córdoba, was declared as such by Decree 429/2008, of 29 July. It consists mostly of pastures and rainfed herbaceous crops where you can find steppe birds such as the Eurasian bustard, the common tern, the Iberian gang, the Ortega, and other birds of interest such as the European carraca, the ash harrier and the primilla kestrel.

Meeting for conservation: III Conference on Stepbirds at the ZEPA Alto Guadiato

On September 28, we attended the 3rd Conference on Steppe Birds at the ZEPA Alto Guadiato, held in the municipality of La Granjuela. Its objective was to create a meeting point between farmers and ranchers and people interested in the conservation of these birds and their habitats.

Outstanding Interventions by Expert Staff

Throughout the day, we had several presentations in which knowledge and experiences were shared:

• José Jiménez, who gave a conference on the Ganga Ortega and the Iberian Ganga in Spain, emphasizing their occupation, abundance and diet.
• José María Fernández Palacios, who discussed compensatory measures in projects affecting areas of interest to steppe birds in Andalusia.
• Juan Fernández Escobar, who spoke about jopo in Andalusia.
• Antonio Leiva Blanco, who focused on the evolution of the European carraca in the province of Córdoba, showing its distribution.
• Miguel Carrasco Cassaut, who presented an educational guide to steppe birds aimed at high school students.
• Rafael Arenas González, who presented the second edition of the book on steppe birds by the Provincial Council of Córdoba.
• María del Carmen García Moreno, who ended the day to talk about the evolution of agrarian activity in the ZEPA Alto Guadiato.

Conservation and Sustainability Challenges

During the days, an attempt was made to sensitize and raise awareness about the importance of carrying out good agricultural and livestock practices, to maintain a diversity of habitats that allow the survival of this type of species. However, it is still a challenge to achieve a balance between conservation and socio-economic development, since the system in which we are immersed requires time and returns that can only be given intensively. It is clear that this model causes, among other consequences, the loss of soil and biodiversity of fauna and flora, not benefiting these species at all, which are increasingly retreating in the steppe areas where they were previously common.

Cooperation and sustainability policies

Therefore, an effort is needed on the part of the Administration and European policies to achieve sustainable development in this unique scenario, which allows environmental and social justice to be done so that future generations benefit. In addition, the cohesion of territories and cooperation between all people are required to achieve this.

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Cover photo was taken by Alfonso Guío