Managing arid and semiarid ecosystems to guarantee the provision of benefits to the human population represents a challenge for current research and management. Although these ecosystems are not always appreciated by their aesthetic values, it should be noted that they cover 40% of the earth's surface to be able to understand their true dimension in what concerns the support of human wellbeing on the Planet.

The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Park is an excellent scenario to deepen the knowledge on these ecosystems. The best samples of arid ecosystems in continental Europe can be found in this park i.e. jujube forests (formations dominated by the species Ziziphus lotus), characteristic of coastal plains and temporary riverbeds (creeks) because of their size and the living islands they become for many species in the middle of a hostile landscape.

Among the services and benefits provided, mention must be made to preserving the habitat of numerous species, including hunting species; carbon sequestration in summer, helping to mitigate climate change; flowers and leaves for beneficial insects in agriculture and, in general, keeping the whole food web; and flood control in the case of individuals living in temporary riverbeds (creeks).
The maintenance of these scrublands and their associated biodiversity is one of the objectives of the Life ADAPTAMED project. A main feature is the use of their long roots to profit from groundwater, a resource only available to them. This particular trait is what explains their deciduous plant nature with turgid leaves from spring to autumn.

During summer days they are a true expression of life in contrast with the rest of dried up plants in the ecosystem, as they keep an exuberant green. From a scientific point of view, they are "groundwater dependant ecosystems", and the actions the project will develop aim to serve as examples for their management in other parts of the world where they exist.

During the project we will be unveiling all the secrets they contain. Now we can add that they are long-life plants, and that some of the individuals found would deserve to be catalogued as singular trees or shrubs.

More information: Javier Cabello

Photo: View from a drone on a jujube ecosystem in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Park. © Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Park.