PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The main objectives of LIFE SAVE DESMAN are to halt and reverse the PD population decline through habitat restoration and population management, aiming to establish connected subpopulations with high natality and recruitment and low non-natural mortality, while creating the technical and institutional foundations necessary to reach Favourable Conservation Status across all ESUs by 2055. The project will consolidate and validate standardised monitoring and management protocols, compiling them in the Iberian Desman Conservation Manual to ensure adoption across Spain, Portugal, France and Andorra. Large-scale restoration will improve hydromorphology, riparian vegetation and trophic networks, while removing key barriers will restore river connectivity. Pilot translocations based on genetic and demographic assessments will enhance viability, targeting a 30% increase in recruitment and a 10% reduction in inbreeding. The Iberian Desman International Coordination Committee, together with over 24 training sessions, will build institutional capacity and ensure harmonisation of conservation practices. Emerging threats such as wildfires, pollutants and diseases will be addressed, while a strong communication and education strategy will reach at least 5 million citizens, raising awareness, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring transferability and sustainability of results. The project directly addresses LIFE Work Programme priorities by improving the status of endangered species, restoring ecological connectivity, strengthening Natura 2000 management, and enhancing resilience to climate-related threats. It contributes to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and provides transferable methodologies and governance tools to support EU nature policy beyond the project lifetime.
