A keystone species of iberian ecosystems

The European Nature Trust works with CBD-Habitat to help conserve the Iberian lynx. An emblem of wild Iberia, the Iberian lynx is a key regulator of Spain’s ecosystems, balancing trophic cascades throughout the ecosystem. In the past, the species was abundant across Spain and Portugal, but through poaching, habitat loss and the decline of wild prey, numbers had declined to two isolated populations by the early 2000s.

Along with the collaboration of many groups, notably property owners who grant access to their land for conservation purposes, CBD-Habitat Foundation is helping to turn things around for the Iberian lynx. The organisation’s work has helped to recover the population to more than 1,600 today. The benefits of protecting and restoring the Iberian lynx and its habitat extend far beyond the local environment, to the surrounding communities and to the entirety of Europe.

We support CBD-Habitat Foundation in Iberian lynx conservation

Through camera-trapping, radio-tracking, and active surveillance, CBD-Habitat are monitoring the population and health of Iberian lynx populations. A nationwide captive breeding programme is helping to seed new wild populations. Threats to lynx survival – such as hunting, poisoning and road accidents – are being surveyed and mitigated.

A significant threat to lynx has been the decline of its main prey, the wild rabbit, which has been decimated by introduced diseases. CBD-Habitat are sustainably reviving populations of wild rabbit, in order to build the prey base for the Iberian lynx population to expand.

Lynx habitat has also been fragmented by human development and agricultural expansion, and the conversion of diverse Mediterranean forest to monoculture plantations. CBD-Habitat are securing protection for Mediterranean forest, while promoting the ecological conditions for their expansion.

TENT and CBD-Habitat’s Partnership

The European Nature Trust has an annual funding commitment to CBD-Habitat’s conservation work. Our fundraising initiatives enable donors and companies to make further contributions to CBD-Habitat’s work.

Through outreach, media, film, and travel we are raising awareness and engagement with efforts to conserve the species.