NewLIFE4BioIslands aims to restore degraded Mediterranean and island landscapes, reverse native pollinator decline, improve habitat connectivity, and strengthen ecosystem resilience through Biodiversity Islands.
A BioBlitz is an intensive biodiversity survey event where volunteers work together to identify and record as many insect species as possible within a defined area. Observations and species records are uploaded to online citizen science platforms, making the data openly available to the global scientific and conservation community.
NewLIFE4BioIslands BioBlitz activities are assisted by a local entomologist, who supports participants in the identification and monitoring of insect and pollinator species.
Gran Canaria
Annex II Habitats Directive
Arid, rugged landscape deeply incised within the Tejeda ravine, strategically located between two of Gran Canaria’s most valuable ecological areas: the Tamadaba and Inagua, the latter being home to the endemic and endangered Gran Canaria blue chaffinch (Fringilla polatzeki). Despite its current state of severe desertification, the area has significant potential to function as a key ecological corridor. The Juniperus woodland habitat (9560*) is highly degraded, with only scattered individuals of Juniperus turbinata surviving on inaccessible cliffs beyond the reach of introduced herbivores.
Barcelona
Annex II Habitats Directive
A degraded Mediterranean site in Sant Vicenç de Castellet, affected by soil compaction and erosion caused by former open-pit sandstone quarrying. Located within Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park, the area has high ecological value and significant potential for invertebrate recolonization and open-habitat restoration. Shrub encroachment and the lack of grazing management are driving the decline of key habitats, negatively affecting priority pollinator species such as Euphydryas aurinia and Euplagia quadripunctaria and reducing overall habitat quality.
Frosinone
Annex II Habitats Directive
A degraded rural landscape in the central Apennines, where forests destroyed during World War II were replaced by extensive Pinus monoculture plantations. Restoration aims to replace pine plantations with native broad-leaved forests, improve soil conditions, reduce fire risk, and recover priority habitats, including pseudo-steppe grasslands (6220*) and degraded forest habitats (code to be specified). These actions will strengthen ecological connectivity and benefit key species such as Himantoglossum adriaticum and Melanargia arge while enhancing long-term ecosystem resilience and biodiversity conservation.
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
Annex II Habitats Directive
A high-mountain massif with exceptional ecological value, supporting Mediterranean and Central European forest communities and unique alpine biodiversity. The area has been severely affected by climate change, shrub encroachment, and a major wildfire in 2024, resulting in the decline of sub-alpine grasslands and rocky habitats. Restoration focuses on revegetation, biomass management, and the recovery of open mountain ecosystems to reduce fire risk and improve habitat conditions for endemic plant species and other high-altitude biodiversity while strengthening long-term ecosystem resilience.
Crete
Annex II Habitats Directive
A rugged mountain landscape in southern Crete, dominated by limestone and dolomite formations and affected by severe water stress and historical overgrazing. Part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve network, the area supports important raptor populations and has high ecological value. Restoration focuses on strengthening resilient Mediterranean plant communities and promoting sustainable grazing management. Degraded phrygana (5420) and Olea-Ceratonia woodlands (9320) currently provide limited habitat and food resources for endemic and protected species, including Origanum dictamnus and Crepis pusilla, while improving ecosystem resilience and biodiversity.
Citizen science
A BioBlitz is an intensive biodiversity survey where volunteers work together to identify and record as many insect species as possible within a defined area, assisted by a local entomologist. Leave us your details and we will let you know about upcoming events.
