Introduction to the Lifeduna Proyect

<body topmargin="0" leftmargin="0"> <p> <h4> INTRODUCTION</h4> <p style="line-height: 140%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0" align="justify"> The aim of this document is to spread the Project Life-Naturaleza "Restoration model of dunes habitats". The total budget of the project is 1.951.481,57 euros, from which the European Commission defrays 50% and the Valencia's town hall the other 50%. The purpose of the Project is the regeneration of dune habitats, in a section of 13,5 ha. in la <i>Devesa de l'Albufera</i> de Valencia, and the diffusion of the project among the population and the scientific community.<br> We intend to raise people's consciousness about the natural values of this place, as well as to return to this area the ecologist and landscape features similar to those it had before it became impoverished as a direct cosequence of the "Proyecto de Ordenación y de Urbanización del Monte de la Devesa" approved in 1964.</p> <P style="MARGIN-TOP: 9px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 9px; LINE-HEIGHT: 140%"><IMG height=1 src="images/linea.gif" width=446 border=0></P> <h5 style="margin-top: 0">PRECEDENTS</h5> <p style="line-height: 160%; margin-top: 0" align="justify" class="mini">The <i>Albufera's and Devesa's</i> lakes were originated 10.000 years ago. In outline, they were formed due to the sediments brought mainly by the Túria river: the existing north-south ocean current distributed these sediments and formed a sand barrier (<i>la Devesa</i>) which isolated a portion of the sea (<i>l'Albufera</i>). Subsequently the size of the lake started diminishing, mainly in favor of rice crops. VIDEO 1 (lake formation), VIDEO 2 (lake evolution).</p> <p align="justify" class="mini" style="line-height: 160%; margin-bottom: 0"> There are plenty of historians that narrate how was <i>la Devesa</i> in Roman times. The descriptions talk about a place of an exuberant beauty and a lake so big that it took the whole day riding to surround it. This is the reason why all along the times the monarchs kept this territory for them. As much James I  as Martin el Humano, to cite some of them, considered this environment as a privileged place which had to be protected and preserved; it was considered " the Crown's jewel".</p> <P style="MARGIN-TOP: 9px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 9px; LINE-HEIGHT: 140%"><IMG height=1 src="images/linea.gif" width=446 border=0></P> <P class=mini style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 160%" align=justify>L'Albufera was royal wealth until 1865, year in which it was transfered to the State. And in 1911 Valencia's town hall acquired the lake and la Devesa, under the condition that the wooded was respected and assigned to the use and the enjoyment of people.<br> Nevertheless, in the 60s the Urban Developing Plan of la Devesa was projected. This Plan was paralyzed in the 70s thanks to a great popular movement. However, some places had been built (a promenade, roads, parking lots...) with the consequent ecosystem alterations (lagoons silt up, destruction of movable dunes, etc.). From then on, the process of regeneration is still in motion.<br> In 1986 it is declared Natural Park, being the first one in the "Comunidad Valenciana".<br> In 2001 the town hall of Valencia obtains European funds, the LIFE-Naturaleza Project, for the regeneration of movable dunes. These dunes conform a natural barrier against the abrasive winds coming from the sea. It is important to say that the dune complex in the Natural Park of <i>l'Albufera</i> is the most extensive of the "Comunidad Valenciana" and one of the most important in the country.</P> <H5 style="MARGIN-TOP: 9px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 9px; LINE-HEIGHT: 140%"><IMG height=1 src="images/linea.gif" width=446 border=0></H5> <h5 style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">CURRENT STATE</h5> <h5 style="line-height: 160%; margin-top: 0" align="justify" class="mini">In the 60s, the urban developing plans of the dune chain of la Devesa left as witness of former proceedings a series of infrastructures which caused and still cause a strong impact in the habitats and species of this place:<br> a) The promenade and a great deal of roads and parking lots are an obstacle for the natural regeneration of the area.</h5> <h5 style="line-height: 160%; margin-top: 4" align="justify" class="mini">b) Potholes, nowadays totally in disuse, are very dangerous specially for children and nocturnal passerbys that can fall into them. </h5> <h5 style="line-height: 160%; margin-top: 4; margin-bottom: 0" align="justify" class="mini"> c) Lagoons are seriously damaged due to the silting up during the process of construction of the promenade. </h5> <P style="MARGIN-TOP: 9px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 9px; LINE-HEIGHT: 140%"><IMG height=1 src="images/linea.gif" width=446 border=0></P> <h5 style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">WORKS JUSTIFICATION</h5> <p style="line-height: 160%; margin-top: 0" align="justify" class="mini">Through the regeneration achieved during the execution of this project, the developement of habitats and species that nowadays find themselves in regression will be restored and favoured. Nevertheless due to its interest and shortage, these species are currently protected by different international acts and agreements.<br> Moreover, the increase of the environmental quality of the Park, which constitutes an area of use and enjoyment for thousands of citizens, will be achieved. <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="750"> <tr> <td style="border-top: 1 solid #000000" valign="top"> <p align="right" style="margin-bottom: 0"><b><font size="1">Copyright © 2002 Oficina Técnica Devesa - Albufera<br> Ajuntament de València<br> </font></b><font size="1">CV 500, Km. 8,5, margen izqda </font><br> <font size="1">46012 Valencia<br> e-mail: <a href="mailto:odevesa@ayt-valencia.es">odevesa@ayt-valencia.es</a> </font></p> <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px" align="right"> <p align="right"><a href=http://www.ademails.com/estadisticas47830.htm> <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript">  </script><noscript><img src=http://www.ademails.com/cgi-bin/contador.cgi?ID=47830 border=0 alt="Proyecto LIFE-Naturaleza Modelo de Restauración de Hábitats Dunares. El objetivo del Proyecto es la regeneración de los hábitats dunares de un tramo de 13,5 ha en la Devesa de l'Albufera de Valencia y la difusión del proyecto entre los ciudadanos y la comunidad científica. Se pretende que los ciudadanos tomen conciencia de los valores del lugar, y que esta zona vuelva a tener unas características ecológicas y paisajísticas semejantes a las que tenía antes de que se degradase como consecuencia directa de la ejecución del Proyecto de Ordenación y Proyecto de Urbanización del Monte de la Devesa"></noscript></a>  <font size="1"><br> Revisado: 07/11/06 <br> Diseño/Hospedaje <a target="_blank" href="http://www.empresawww.com">EmpresaWWW.com<br> </a>Díseño gráfico: Sandra Figuerola</font></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><font size="1">English: Introduction | <a href="inglesacciones.htm">Actions </a> <br> Español: <a href="introduccion.htm" target="_top">Introducción</a><a href="introduccion.htm"> </a>| <a href="acciones.htm" target="_top">Acciones</a> | <a href="noticias.asp" target="_top">Noticias</a> | <a href="foro.htm" target="_top">Foro<br> </a>Français: <a href="francesintroduccion.htm" target="_top">Introduction</a> | <a href="francesacciones.htm" target="_top">Actions<br> </a><a href="default.htm" target="_top">Principal</a> | <a href="valenintroduccion.htm" target="_top"> Introducció</a> | <a href="valenacciones.htm" target="_top">Accions</a></font></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p style="line-height: 160%; margin-top: 0" align="justify" class="mini">  </body>