We fully support the campaign that the Provincial Council of Bizkaia is undergoing to purchase forests to achieve expansion, as well as transformation, improvement and conservation of native forests in our territory, and as such, we formally request the purchase of the plot of land, Catastral Reference (SIGPAC) 48_901_1_23, located in the municipality of Derio, by the Provincial Council of Bizkaia as it is of sufficient natural value, something which should be taken into account when it comes to increasing the network of natural spaces to be preserved in Bizkaia.
Our request is based on the biodiversity and natural values existing in that plot of land, and on the need to avoid its further deterioration, as a consequence of misuse, abandonment and lack of any type of current protection, as we report in the report that we detail below.
Introduction
Given the situation of the natural forests in Bizkaia, which are general small and fragmented throughout the territory, surrounded by forest plantations and urbanized areas (which have now become small islands of biodiversity) we request the protection, cleaning up and conservation of the Atlantic mixed forest located in the area of the old Ayarzas tree nurseries, in the borough council area of Derio.
It is one of the few existing woods in the area of a certain size, and at approximately 37 hectares probably one of the largest, with any degree of biodiversity and conservation. Characteristics of the Aiartza Protected Forest
Species such as oak, birch, holly and laurel are the main species in this area.
In the forest we can also find trees that are typical of this type of habitat such as chestnut, hazelnut, ash, cherry, holm oak, Pyrenean oak or beech, in all about thirty forest species.
Likewise, this forest currently performs a barrier work against the erosive processes due to deforestation and the invasion of pampa grass (Cortaderia selloana) that currently affects the slopes of Mount Mantuliz.
Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
The abundant presence of holly within this natural space deserves special mention, as it sometimes forms impenetrable groves, especially in the presence of birch, which it is gradually replacing, in a natural process typical of this type of forest.
Likewise, it is also worth noting the existence of typical riverbank trees, made up of alders, willows, poplars and ash trees, characteristic of the Cantabrian alderwood.
It is a young forest, about approximately 70 years old, but with some older oak and birch, which have grown as a result of the abandonment of an area of heath, meadows and farmhouses from the 1970s and the subsequent acquisition by Bilbao town hall of this plot of land for use as a cemetery and finally a municipal tree nursery, which has managed to preserve it to this day free of human disturbances, with the exception of some occasional reforestation of beech, American oak and sycamores carried out about 30 years ago, and the remains of a farmhouse and an old mill in the forest.
Currently the area is abandoned following the collapse of a development project which was to have included a golf course.
It is worth mentioning that next to this forest there are another 15 hectares of nursery tree plantations, with species such as Virginia tulip trees, Japanese camellias, yew trees, fir trees, Oregon cypress trees or Mexican weeping pines, giving a total of more than 40 different species in this place.
Wildlife
In the absence of a specific study of the area, it is easy to appreciate the presence of numerous species typical of a biodiversity-rich forest but which are now in great decline in the Iberian peninsula.
It is easy to detect the presence of numerous forest birds such as the jay, blackbird, thrush, chaffinch, wren, great tit, chochín, carbonero, mito, herrerillo, petirrojo, curruca,, pito real, pico picapinos,long-tailed tit, blue tit, robin, blackcap, chiff-chaff, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, and the existence of a lesser spotted woodpecker is more than likely. as is that of the sparrowhawk and tawny owl, typical species in this type of habitat.
As for the mammals, the fox, wild boar, roe deer and badger are all present.
Reptiles such as the slow worm, Seoane’s viper, green lizard and amphibians such as the common toad, webbed newt and possibly salamander in the most humid and remote areas of the forest.
Some common minnows survive in the Aiarza stream, but the contribution of earth and stones from its source due to current deforestation, unfortunately make life difficult in this watercourse, where until the early 1990s some native crabfish could be found, making this riverbed potentially a suitable habitat for the scarce European mink, located in some areas close to the Asua river.
Present state of the area
Although the state of conservation of this forest is generally good, several factors threaten the place.
Invasive species such as cherry laurel, mimosas, locusts, buddlejas, or eucalyptus in certain areas, endanger the biodiversity of the place. Added to this is the abandonment of the nursery facilities, which have become a dumping ground for waste of all kinds such as plastics, bottles or cans.
Inappropriate uses of the land such as motocross, quad biking and the taking of holly branches at Christmas time, as well as the danger of fire that these situations could cause, make it urgent to conserve this place in order to achieve a controlled and rational use of it. That is why we believe it is so important to have some kind of public protection that guarantees its future.
Derio, December 23, 2022
Promoters of the initiative :
Neighbours of Derio
Butroi Bizirik Trantsizioan
Zizegorri Zamudioko Mikologia Elkartea
Supporters of the initiative:
Larrabetzun, pamparik ez!
Berdez Bizi (Galdakao)
Lezama Bizirik
Marikobaso Elkartea
Gurpide Elkartea (Larrabetzu)
Eguzki Talde Ekologista
Ekologistak Martxan
Lemoiz Natura Haria (Bakio)
Emaus Fundación Social
Baratzea (Gatika)
Elgoibarko Baso Biziak
Kolore Guztietako Basoak
Etxaldeko Emakumeak
Laukarizko AMPA
Lau Haritz
Elgoibar Baso Biziak
Sagarrak Ekologista Taldea
Mutriku Natur Taldea
Sukar Horia
Plentziako Herri Lurrak
ELA – Ingurumena
Sare Berdeak
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