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Fundación Global Nature presented the amphibious machine purchased for the LIFE Paludicola Project at Parc Natural del Marjal in Pego-Oliva (ZEC-ZEPA). The presentation was hosted by the Natural Park Director, Joseba Rodríguez, whose audience included representatives of all the groups involved in the conservation of this natural space. Attending on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Environment, Climate Change and Rural Development of the Generalitat of Valencia were the Sub-Director General for the Environment, Josep Ramon Nebot, the Head of the Unit for Protected Natural Spaces Management, José Antonio Hernández, and the Head of the Wildlife Unit, Juan Jiménez. For the Town Councils of Oliva and Pego were the Councillors for Environmental Affairs, Imma Ibiza and Laura Castellà, the Councillor for Agriculture, Andreu Dominguis, and their respective environmental technicians. This event was also attended by farmers and irrigation community members.
The purchase of this amphibious machine is one of the conservation actions in the LIFE Paludicola Project designed to assist vegetation control in the migratory habitat of the aquatic warbler. Action will be taken in three autonomous regions where the presence of this species has been detected: Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha and the region of Valencia. In the region of Valencia, measures will be taken in four areas: Parc Natural del Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca (LIC-ZEPA); Marjal del Moro (ZEC-ZEPA); Parc Natural de l’Albufera (LIC-ZEPA), and Parc Natural de la Marjal de Pego-Oliva (ZEC-ZEPA).
A demonstration was given in which the amphibious vehicle was seen mowing helophytic vegetation in the wetland. Helophytic plants are the typical vegetation in these areas, consisting of plants rooted underwater with part of their structure above the surface. Managing these plants without the proper tools is a difficult task. The best solution for controlling this vegetation is mowing with mechanical means using amphibious machines, although this technique is not common on the Peninsula owing to the scarcity of these machines. There is only one such vehicle on the coast of Valencia, privately operated, and its handling qualities and effectiveness are practically unknown to managers of similar spaces on Spanish soil.