Sixteen species of endangered flora thrive at Laguna Primera lake in Palos

• This is the result of the research, maintenance and public utility initiatives carried out with the Department of the Environment of the Regional Government of Andalusia since 2002

• Four species in "critical danger" of extinction have been successfully reintroduced into the Lake environment

• They are part of the work to improve and increase biodiversity in this environment which is afforded international protection under the RAMSAR category

0. A total of 16 endangered flora species thrive in the Laguna Primera de Palos Lake thanks to the work to improve and increase biodiversity that the Fundación Cepsa (which has taken over from the Company) performs in this natural area, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Land Management of the Regional Government of Andalusia.

   Through this agreement, various initiatives have been carried out over the last few years aimed at conserving flora species that are in danger of extinction. These initiatives not only seek to conserve species already present in the Lake, but also to add “historical autochthonous” species that had disappeared from this environment and other similar ones on the coast of Huelva. Thus, the Laguna Primera de Palos Lake is an outstanding enclave in the Andalusian and national context for the preservation of a large number of endangered species.

0. One of the most outstanding examples was the recovery of the yellow water lily (Nuphar luteum), which was in “critical” danger of becoming extinct and which had not been seen in the area around Huelva since the 1960s. It was reintroduced by Cepsa and the Junta de Andalucía in the Laguna Primera de Palos Lake in 2010, and in 2011 it flowered for the first time. It is currently one of the representative species of this natural area.

   Like the yellow water lily, the white water lily (Nimphaea alba) is an aquatic plant in Andalusia which is critically endangered by the alteration of the lagoons, peat bogs and slow waterways it inhabits. This botanic gem is also fully naturalized in the Laguna Primera de Palos, growing healthily and forming large patches used as a refuge by the endangered fauna protected in this wetland area.

2. The “rascavieja” (Adenocarpus gibbsianus), a legume which has magnificent flowers in the summer, is another of the endangered plants to be found in  Laguna Primera. In 2016, a small population was introduced, which now flowers and bears copious fruit. Its survival is now assured.

   The other species in “critical danger” of extinction, and which is on the Cepsa Foundation's agenda, is an aquatic plant commonly known as “water heart or frog mouth” (Hydrocharis Morsus-Ranae), which is found in very few areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Huelva is the only province in Andalusia where it can be observed, in the Doñana National Park and now in the Laguna Primera de Palos Lake. It was introduced experimentally in La Laguna in 2011, and soon it will be decided whether to naturalize it completely.

   In addition to these four main species in “critical danger”, included in the Vascular Plants of Andalusia Red List (2005), the Cepsa Foundation and the Board are focused on another twelve species which are “in danger”, “almost threatened” and “vulnerable”, such as the carnations (Armeria gaditana and Armeria velutina) and camarina (Corema album).

The Fundación Cepsa and biodiversity

The Primera Laguna de Palos Lake (a natural freshwater lagoon) is included in the Network of Protected Areas of the Regional Government of Andalusia and classified as a Natural Reserve. Since 2005 it has also had a RAMSAR classification (International Convention for the Conservation of these areas).

Cepsa’s restoration of the Lake in 2001 made it a national authority in terms of sustainability, as it was the first time in Spain that an energy industry had restored a natural area. Today, the Primera Laguna de Palos Lake is an example of commitment and diversity, which the recently constituted Fundación Cepsa, is now responsible for maintaining, conserving and managing. In these fifteen years, over two million euros have been invested in the lake, and it receives over 5,000 visitors every year.

The Primera Laguna de Palos Lake was used as inspiration for a similar project at Cepsa's facilities in San Roque, where the Madrevieja Environmental Station was set up in 2009. This is a research centre inhabited by numerous different species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, with a variety of ecologically rich native fauna. The aim of this initiative is also to offer the community a research center where people can observe the peaceful coexistence between industry and nature, and a center which can also be used for environmental education.

These are all examples of the ways in which industry and nature conservation can be combined, and show how with proper management, the Company has become a leader in preserving the natural balance necessary for life in its immediate surroundings and in fighting against climate change, following the motto proposed by the Ramsar Committee for this year, “Wetlands for disaster risk reduction”.