Fontus Environmental are undertaking an ecological research project with Cumbria University as part of their annual field trip to Picos de Europa.
Situated in north-west Spain (predominantly Cantabria), Picos de Europa are a range of predominantly Carboniferous Limestone and Sandstone mountains, with the highest peaks reaching 2600m. In combination with the long history of traditional agricultural management, a wide range of diverse habitats and species is present. The herb-rich hay meadows have long been recognised as having a high nature conservation value but, as elsewhere in European mountains, such grasslands are threatened by changing agricultural practices
This research project will carry on from previous research investigating the changing composition of the local hay meadows which have a particular botanical significance to provide a better understanding of how agricultural practices and land management has changed over the past 20 years.
