1) The Nevada metapopulation of ibex is one of the most abundant and with the greatest genetic diversity of all those known for this species. The monitoring, scientific research and management that has been carried out over the last 30 years makes it possible to ensure that the densities, initially too high, are being corrected thanks to the increase in authorized hunting quotas in the reserves of the Natural Park (hunting is prohibited in the National Park). This has an impact on improving the population parameters of the species, maintaining genetic diversity and reducing the spread of sarcoptic mange. All this favours a climate of dialogue and cooperation with the Hunting Societies of the area, which have benefited from the increase in the number of specimens that are authorised to hunt and with the good health status of the specimens.
2) High biodiversity of vascular plants. Of the 2,356 taxa described in the Sierra Nevada, 82 are endemic. The presence of the Hoya de Pedraza Botanical Garden, which specialises in the conservation of plants in the Nevadense and Alpujarra-Gadorense biogeographical sectors, and the execution of the Recovery and Conservation Plans for High Peaks and Fern Species of Andalusia, generates a great deal of activity for the conservation of the high plant biodiversity of the Sierra Nevada.
3) Naturalization of reforestation pine forests. The area in the Sierra Nevada since the 1940s and 1950s is about 40,000 hectares. Its elimination is ruled out because the high slopes would cause severe increases in soil erosion, precisely what was tried to be avoided with the reforestation. It is committed to a progressive reduction of the density of the pine forest in successive phases, to favor its diversification and evolution towards a mixed forest, with the most appropriate silvicultural treatments and techniques for each enclave. With the experience acquired, the LIFE ADAPTED project was designed, in order to develop a set of good practices aimed at increasing the capacity to adapt to climate change of different ecosystems, including these pine forests, and to improve the services they provide. To this end, the effectiveness of thinning and thinning of different intensities and designs has been evaluated, along with the use of appropriate machinery to conserve the soil and promote the regeneration and evolution of vegetation.
1) Between 2010 and 2014, densities of more than 13 individuals per square km were reached, so it was decided to increase the capture quotas in the existing hunting reserves in the Natural Park. At present, densities are around 7 specimens per km2, which corroborates the contribution of the management model adopted to the achievement of the objectives set and approximates the values in accordance with the carrying capacity of the natural environment. These densities also facilitate the maintenance of thresholds compatible with the endemic nature of sarcoptic mange, as it is a dense-dependent transmitted disease. There may be occasional epidemic outbreaks, but in the current situation the risk of mass die-offs, such as those that occurred in the past in other populations, is very unlikely.
2) The management activity for the conservation of the most threatened vascular plant species is making it possible to know in detail the evolution of their habitats and maintain the stability of their populations, a challenge that is especially a priority in the current climate change scenario.
3) Reforestation pine forests that have been treated in accordance with the good practices learned over the years are now in a much more favourable situation in terms of biodiversity and structural and spatial heterogeneity, without any increased risk of soil erosion.
1) The studies carried out indicate that the optimal density of mountain goats in the Sierra Nevada, according to the carrying capacity of the environment, is between 3 and 5 specimens per km2.
2) Vascular plant species targeted by the Conservation Plans are closely monitored for population sizes, occupation areas, threat factors, and propagation techniques, along with in situ measurements. Cooperation with the scientific community makes it possible to optimize conservation strategies and continuously update knowledge to prioritize action on the species that need it most.
3) Improving the resilience of pine forests. The strategy adopted with the reforestation pine forests in Sierra Nevada consists of thinning the mass to bring the soil to light and reduce competition for water and nutrients, allowing natural regeneration with the native species of each area. Thus, in the course of a few years, a dense, initially monospecific and contemporaneous mass, is transformed into a mixed formation with patches of scrub and grassland of the various forest species that are typical of each enclave, which progressively increase not only the specific diversity but also the structural heterogeneity of its aerial part and the substrate. by enriching the soil microbiota. In this way, these formations are more resistant to disturbances (droughts, heat waves, fires or pests), and recover better than the initial forest mass, increasing the resilience of the area as a whole. The monitoring and evaluation of an extensive network of permanent plots has shown that reducing the density of pines to 500-1,000 ft/ha, depending on the site, increases the presence of native drought-resistant.
1) The metapopulation of the Sierra Nevada ibex is open, growing, without natural predators and without hunting control in a part of its territory, the National Park, where its hunting is not authorized. The current status of the species is stable, with a slight tendency to decrease its density. Other parameters maintain their stability, such as the sex ratio of 1.33, slightly biased towards females, and a reproductive index of 0.31. Scabies continues to act and it is corroborated that the measure of not shooting specimens with scabies lesions with coverage of less than 50% of the body surface is correct, since through the monitoring of sick specimens it has been proven that goats survive scabies, even with significant lesions. For this reason, the previous policy of eliminating all specimens with scabies detected has been modified and only those with lesions on more than 50% of the body surface are eliminated. Currently, the situation remains stable, at prevalence levels compatible with an endemic condition.
2) Most of the threatened species of flora have kept their populations stable until today. In recent years, alterations in biological and reproductive cycles have been observed that could compromise their viability in the face of climate change.
3) The area of reforested pine trees treated until 2023 is 13,794 ha. Some 25,000 hectares remain to be progressively tackled with the experience gained. Today these actions are also the only tool to fight against the decay of certain pine forests threatened by climate change, in serious risk of death due to drought. The aim is to achieve a plant cover in balance with the availability of water and nutrients and to prevent the destruction of the soil due to the increasingly probable events of torrential rains following long periods of summer or hyperannual drought.
1) Provision of high-quality fresh water. The Sierra Nevada massif is a water catchment nucleus of enormous importance on a regional scale, as it not only intercepts the moisture contained in the Atlantic fronts from its northern and western components and the moisture-laden winds of the Mediterranean basin in its eastern component. In addition, by retaining a large part of this moisture in the form of snow, it distributes this resource throughout the year in all its catchments, as evidenced by the rainfall and flow data of all the permanent channels of the Sierra Nevada. All this has allowed the development of an intense agricultural activity in a wide geographical sector beyond the mountain massif itself and the supply of water to the surrounding municipalities, including the capital of Granada. On the other hand, the snow cover also provides the fundamental element for the practice of skiing and mountain sports, as well as a very enriching element to simply enjoy the landscape.
2) Carbon sequestration and purity of the atmosphere. The role that vegetation covers play as oxygen generators and carbon sequesters for the generation of their own biomass is well known, although rates vary depending on whether they are forest, scrub or grassland formations. The soil, with its microbial activity, also has significant rates of atmospheric carbon uptake.
3) Enjoy a well-preserved natural environment. This is a service that is increasingly appreciated by citizens, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for visits to protected areas has continued to rise over the last few years, by people and organizations that have understood that contact with nature is beneficial for human beings. Society is increasingly aware and demanding of the need for nature conservation policies.
1) The overall water quality of the Sierra Nevada is good, as befits its status as a catchment area for several river basins. There are worsening of the quality due to discharges in lower areas, generally outside the protected area, with the exception of the upper section of the Monachil River, which is very affected by the discharges from the Pradollano urbanization and the ski resort, whose systems of produced snow are also supplied by this channel.
2) In global terms, carbon sequestration rates in the Sierra Nevada are good in all ecosystems, in line with local environmental conditions. It has been proven that even the soil and its associated microbiota are capable of functioning as a carbon sink in an annual balance.
3) The different surveys carried out on visitors to Sierra Nevada reveal in general their satisfaction with the quality of the visit, although at specific times (mainly in the summer months) they consider that there is an excess of people in emblematic places, such as the highest peaks of the massif, the peaks of Mulhacén and Veleta. Measures are taken to ensure that the visit is orderly and does not have detrimental effects on the environment.
1) The Sierra Nevada Global Change Observatory treasures valuable precipitation data in different automatic weather stations installed in space since 2008, since there are great variations from one place to another depending on their orientation, altitude, relief, etc. Data are also available on flow gauging in permanent channels. Although the data series are relatively short, as a whole they show for now that key climatic parameters such as the amount of annual precipitation, its regime throughout the year and the proportion of precipitation in the form of water and snow are changing, so that the hydrology of the massif may be modified in the medium term.
2) The Eddy Covariance Towers linked to research projects have quantified the carbon balance throughout the year in different ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada, both wooded and scrub and grassland, showing an annual net balance favorable to carbon sequestration. In general, carbon sequestration is higher in ecosystems with higher rates of biomass formation. The data is available in the repository of the Sierra Nevada Global Change Observatory.
3) Sierra Nevada is a very open natural space, with a multitude of accesses, where visitors can move around with great freedom. As a result, it is difficult to know precisely the actual number of visitors, although estimates are available based on reliable data obtained from different sources. Since 2004 the estimated annual average is slightly below 700,000 people, with a maximum in 2019 in which it approached 800,000 and a minimum in 2020 (coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic), slightly above 400,000. Since then, the numbers have risen to 536,494 in 2021 and 621,221 in 2022.
1) Data from the Global Change Observatory for the last 15 years show a trend towards a reduction in the amount of water due to several factors: reduction in annual precipitation, changes in the precipitation regime throughout the year, changes in the rain/snow ratio, concentration of snow duration in the central winter months, Increased temperatures increase the melting of snow and ice, evaporation and direct sublimation of snow into the atmosphere. There is also an increase in the demand for water in the towns around the Sierra Nevada for agricultural purposes and urban supply. The quality of the water is still good, although the reduction in quantity is likely to eventually increase the concentration of solutes in the streams and thus reduce their capacity for self-purification. Measures are taken to solve the water quality problems of the Monachil River, such as the improvement of the Pradolano wastewater treatment plant.
2) The trend of carbon sequestration rates is stable across all ecosystems in the Sierra Nevada. However, the risks that possible massive decay events as a result of climate change could significantly affect carbon sequestration at a global level are considered. These phenomena can be aggravated if the loss of vegetation also leads to soil losses.
3) There is a trend towards a growing demand for visits to the Sierra Nevada, especially to the highest areas and to attractive enclaves such as the so-called "enchanted forest" of Camarate (Lugros), during autumn, when the colour change of the deciduous forest takes place before winter. These high demands produce symptoms of saturation at specific times, which are being studied by the Sierra Nevada Public Use Area in order to establish measures that contribute to reducing their effects. Measures such as trail gauging have already been adopted.
1) Network of traditional irrigation ditches. An inventory of the 540 irrigation ditches that have survived to the present day since their construction in the Nasrid era has been carried out, and a total length of about 930 km has been estimated in the Sierra Nevada. About two-thirds are currently in use. Both the Park Administration and the Irrigation Communities that manage them continue to maintain the most functional ones with ancestral techniques, since it has been proven that they not only provide the basic resource for agricultural irrigation, but also have a favorable impact on the state of the natural ecosystems of the hillside.
2) Well-preserved traditional folk architecture. In the Alpujarra there are two declared Assets of Cultural Interest: the Poqueira ravine, which includes the three Historical Sites of Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira, and the "Historic Site of the Middle Alpujarra of Granada and the Tahá". Both are bordering and together make up the largest protected heritage territory in Europe. The strict rules by which they are governed have contributed to the conservation of popular architecture, adapted to the severe relief of the mountain and its climatic rigors, integrating into the landscape in a harmonious way and with its peculiar idiosyncrasy.
3) Popular gastronomy. The agricultural and livestock wealth of the Sierra Nevada, the Moorish and Castilian heritage, and the maintenance of traditional culinary techniques, have generated a high quality gastronomy in the municipalities of the Sierra Nevada area. Its main ingredients are meat products derived from pork, along with local agricultural and horticultural products, as well as the prized wines produced on the slopes of the mountain. Famous dishes such as breadcrumbs or semolina, fennel stew, potato gypsy, chestnut stew, remojón or the richest sweets of Moorish tradition that can still be tasted in the municipalities of Sierra Nevada are very famous.
1) One of the first results of the National Park's policy of committing itself to traditional techniques for maintaining the ditches has been the publication of the "Manual de Acequiero", which collects in a very graphic and detailed way the techniques that distribute the meltwater in the ancestral way. The foundations of the ditches are not authorized in the protected territory of the Sierra Nevada, which must maintain their permeability at all times. As a result, the network of irrigation ditches is currently in a very satisfactory state and contributes to counteracting the challenges of climate change. Many of the ditches that have not yet been restored are being the subject of projects to regenerate their functionality, according to a programmed prioritization. A project is being processed to restore certain sections in 65 ditches, with a total length of about 100 km in 36 municipalities of Granada and Almeria.
2) The maintenance and respect of the traditional construction typology is the object of the competences of the Administration of the National Park and Natural Park, which is the one who must authorize them by establishing the appropriate conditions, as well as the authorities of the Ministry of Culture, if it is in any of the categories of protection in this matter. It also concerns the Municipal authorities, which are responsible for urban planning regulations that specify the typological architectural characteristics. For this reason, the hamlet of Sierra Nevada is of great beauty and blends into the landscape with great harmony.
3) The hospitality businesses in the towns around the Sierra Nevada are of high quality and very competitive in relation to their cost, so especially in holiday seasons, they are full of technicians. Tourists not only enjoy the quality of these businesses but also purchase highly valued gastronomic and artisan products.
1) After the inventory of traditional ditches was carried out since the declaration of the National Park, different sections of ditches have been rehabilitated, starting with the face-off ditches that mainly take advantage of meltwater. This water, in addition to being conducted through the channels, filters down the slopes, nourishing the local aquifers and resurfacing several km below in springs and upwellings.
2) Popular architecture is one of the cultural values that is most cared for in the protected territory of Sierra Nevada, since it is not only subject to regulation in the BICs, but in the entire natural space. Both the PORN and the PRUGs of both Parks condition the authorisation for the construction, reform and rehabilitation of buildings to respect the traditional construction typology, either with facades clad in local natural stone, or plastered and whitewashed. All this regardless of whether it is located in an urban centre or on undeveloped land.
3) The membership of Sierra Nevada to the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism since 2004 and the adherence to it of the hospitality businesses that wish to do so has facilitated the arrival of a tourist who loves the rural and natural environment, who appreciates the good state of conservation of nature and who, after enjoying it, is eager to spend the night in charming hotels and enjoy its popular gastronomy. The affiliated businesses are committed to maintaining good environmental practices, which reinforces the good valuation of committed tourists, generating a demanding clientele, with a medium or medium-high purchasing power that feels satisfied with the experience and recommends it to others.
1) The tendency to maintain the existing network of traditional irrigation ditches is assured in the Sierra Nevada National Park and Natural Park, since it is not only its Administration, but also the Irrigation Communities who are interested in continuing with the policy of conserving this ancestral practice, with great ecosystem and rural repercussions.
2) The traditional architecture in the Sierra Nevada National Park and Natural Park is protected at least in the planning and management instruments of the space (PORN and PRUGs), as well as in the regulations of the BICs and in the subsidiary regulations of the surrounding municipalities. It is planned in the coming years to update the planning instruments of the protected area and undoubtedly the regulation of the authorizations for the construction, reform or rehabilitation of constructions will follow the same line of maintaining the traditional construction typology.
3) The good results of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism and the satisfaction of entrepreneurs ensures that this quality framework will be maintained in the future. Social networks and the press are also vehicles for disseminating the quality of gastronomy and, by extension, the hospitality and crafts of the surrounding populations in Sierra Nevada, so the prospects for the future are very good and will continue to have the support of the Administration of the Sierra Nevada National Park and Natural Park.
