- • Proving that implementing and managing artificial wetlands in natural sites can satisfactorily accomplish a double purpose: improving water quality in their area in compliance with the WFD. It is expected to treat approximately 5000 m3/month of water from L’Albufera per hectare of artificial wetland (in total, 450000 m3/month). It is a high volume, but represents only 2% of the total volume of the lake, so its effects on water quality are still unknown, particularly considering that there are other factors affecting water in the lake. In any case, these effects will be studied in Action B3. In the artificial wetlands, it is expected to achieve a minimum reduction percentage of 30% for suspended solids (SS), total phosphorous (PT), total nitrogen (NT) and chlorophyll a (Cl_a). It is expected to obtain the following values in the artificial wetlands after water treatment:
SS: 20 mg/l, PT: 0.1 mg P/l, NT: 2.0 mg N/l, Cl_a: 10 mg/m3
- Contributing to recuperating and improving the conservation status of habitats and biodiversity in compliance with the Habitats and Birds Directives. The surface of the habitat potentially used by interest water birds will be 12 hectares in Tancat de la Pipa, 7 hectares in Tancat de Milia and 2 hectares in Tancat de l’Illa. This habitat increase could favour the presence of an estimated total of 36 breeding couples of Netta Rufina and 25 of Fulica Atra (from the 3 systems of artificial wetlands). Moreover, it will be optimal for feeding, sheltering and possibly breeding of the Fulica Cristata, priority species according to the Birds Directive.
- Proving that the accomplishment of this double function might be enhanced through a management that optimises a series of joint indicators “water-habitats”, to be defined throughout the development of the project.
- Establishing methods for the integration of this model in the Basin Territorial Planning, Hydrological Basin Plans and Natura 2000 Network Wetlands Management Plans.
- Sending the message that it is necessary to achieve a good ecological status for water bodies and that, in doing so, habitats and disadvantaged species might be recovered.
- Promoting experience exchange and participation of all the sectors of society in improving the wetlands’ ecological quality.