Tordell Stream as an Ecological Corridor

ICL Iberia has been preserving and further developing an ecological corridor at the Tordell Stream. This endeavor was designed to recover the stream’s environmental and social potential. The main project stage was concluded in 2018. ICL Iberia continues to conduct maintenance activities to further preserve the area, as a new study shows significant improvements. \

Tordell is a seasonal stream that is a valuable resource in the Suria municipality. The stream separates a nearby urban area from the Suria mine site. The stream serves as an ecological corridor in an area that has been disturbed. Unfortunately, over the decades the stream’s flow has decreased, its banks have been channeled, wastewater has been discharged into the stream, and invasive species have proliferated. To recover the stream’s environmental and social potential, an ambitious improvement project was developed and implemented during 2017-2018.

The goals of the project included:

Improving the stream’s function as an ecological corridor
Promoting elements regarding landscape and environmental interests, with special attention to riverside vegetation
Minimizing the risk of damage in the event of flooding, by selectively clearing vegetation and removing cane
Significantly improving the stream’s landscape as a pre-urban space

6.6

By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.

A series of recovery actions were implemented in a stretch of approximately two kilometers of the stream. Reeds were removed and revegetation was performed for approximately five kilometers, while clearing, and selective felling was carried out along seven kilometers. In addition, 1,100 plants representing 16 different native species were planted.

15.1

By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and dry lands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

Planting 1,100 native plants

Following the completion of the project, periodic maintenance has been performed to prevent degradation of the area.

Before

After

Before

After

The restoration facilitated the appearance of species such as roe deer, wild boars and foxes

New study shows significant improvements

In 2022, ICL conducted a thorough study in the area, which confirmed that the Tordell stream has considerably improved its connecting function between the Joncarets areas and the Cardener river.

The study shows that the fauna of the area clearly uses the Tordell stream to feed, shelter, and travel. The restoration work has also facilitated the appearance of species such as roe deer, which was not detected in 2014 in the first study. The presence of wild boars and foxes has also been observed, as well as otters, seen near the Cardener river. It should also be noted that this study highlights a greater diversity and abundance of birds.

Another positive result has been the landscape and ecological improvement of the area. The section in which the students of Súria schools planted trees has allowed more width in the connector between the urban center and ICL Iberia’s site and has facilitated the recovery of the presence of rabbits, which until now were non-existent. It has also been possible to gradually eliminate the reeds in all its sections and move the trees to the side of the stream with a consequent improvement of the existing vegetation.