Biodiversity Foundation Project: Biodiversity and biological control against the effects of global warming on intensive agriculture in Mediterranean coastal areas

The Cajamar Foundation was awarded the 2017 grant for climate change adaptation projects with the project "Biodiversity and Biological Control Against the Effects of Global Warming in Intensive Agriculture in Mediterranean Coastal Areas." The aim of this project was to minimize the effects of climate change by promoting functional biodiversity in intensive agriculture to facilitate biological control for conservation, thereby minimizing the need for phytosanitary products in the main horticultural production areas along the Mediterranean coast. To carry out the project, the first step was to identify suitable properties for hedgerow development. Four properties were selected, where 683 m of hedgerows were planted, and 977 plants belonging to 30 botanical species were introduced.

Thanks to this, biodiversity around horticultural crops has been increased, with the presence of auxiliary fauna around crops increasing by up to 12%. To raise awareness and disseminate knowledge, two training workshops were held (in Almería and El Pilar de la Horadada, Alicante), aimed at farmers and technicians. The topics covered included the role of biodiversity in pest control; which plants are useful for conserving natural enemies; and how biodiversity is a fundamental tool for adapting agriculture to the effects of global warming. Furthermore, the project's objectives and results have been disseminated through technical workshops and courses, directly informing the general public.

Thanks to meetings held with the relevant public authorities and producer associations, the incorporation of functional biodiversity as another tool in the integrated management guidelines for horticultural crops has been successfully negotiated. At these meetings, technicians from various horticultural cooperatives and companies in Almería, Murcia, and Alicante were informed about the role that increased biodiversity can play in the adaptation of intensive horticulture to the effects of climate change.