Bats - Life eCOadapt50
| Date of onset | 14/08/2024 |
| Sector | Agroramader and forest |
| Lead partner | Consorci Leader de Desenvolupament Rural del Camp |
| Territory of performance | Tarragona's area |
| Climatic risk | Changes in the distribution and abundance of native fauna and flora species Greater pest infestation Decline in pollinator insect population |
| Budget | 13.310,00 € |
Bats, a key species in pest control and ecologic balance
Bats extinction may result in negative consequences in pollination, pest control, seed dispersal and ecologic balance, which would directly affect forest and agricultural sectors. In addition, the reliance on chemical methods in order to compensate for the loss of ecological services provided by bats may imply additional impacts in environmental health and long-term sustainability.
For all that, it is essential to do research and monitoring of bats in Camp de Tarragona, through informative and awareness-raising actions about them, obtaining as an end product a map with their roosts in Tarragona region. This work starts in winter 2024 with the inventory of roosts and their winter occupation carried out by GEPEC-EdC, together with students from the University of Lleida and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, as well as with the advice of the Granollers Museum of Natural Sciences.
Awareness-raising of agents and citizens based on the results obtained
This action includes an inventory of roosts and their winter occupation, with the collaboration of environmental organisations, university students (University of Lleida and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), and the advice of the Granollers Museum of Natural Sciences. It will enable the identification of bat species present in a specific region and the understanding of their specific roles in local ecology, both forest and agricultural ecology. It will help identify the key species that perform essential functions and pest control.
The results of the study may be used to inform and promote more sustainable agricultural practices. For example, pointing out the importance of crops diversity and the reduction in pesticide use to maintain healthy bat populations.
The monitoring projects will be valuable to educate both the population and farmers and other people interested in the importance of bats. This will encourage a greater awareness and support for the conservation of these protected mammals.
Creation and dinamisation of the cigronet de Senan (Senan chickpea) trademark
Promotion for the creation and registration of the cigronet de Senan trademark, a native chickpea variety more adapted to the climate of the area, through the design of a distinctive and registered trademark and the organisation of an awareness-raising day.
Decrease in crop and pasture production
Reduction of water availability for agriculture
Loss of crops
Promotion of local resilient varieties
It is a local native variety more adapted to the climate of the region and grown under special conditions which provide it with unique characteristics.
2024 is the third year in a row of chickpea plantation in town together with the residents. Alongside the plantation, the “Chickpea Festival” has been annually celebrated, where a technical part is combined with an experimental part.
Third Senan Chickpea Festival
During the last festival, the need to create an own registered trademark for the Senan chickpea became apparent in order to ensure the quality and authenticity of the product and favour the establishment of innovative marketing and promotion processes of the uniqueness of the Senan seed.
To do so, legal advice will be provided for trademark registration and technical advice for the creation of the trademark will be provided by a designer. The action also includes the organisation of the III Senan Chickpea Festival. A budget item is also provided for the design of the product packaging.