Tordell Stream as an Ecological Corridor

ICL Iberia has been preserving and further developing an ecological corridor at the Tordell Stream. This endeavour is designed to recover the stream’s environmental and social potential. The main project stage concluded in 2018. ICL Iberia continues to conduct maintenance activities to further preserve the area. \

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’s facilities. 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 interest with special attention to riverside vegetation.
Minimizing the risk of damage in the event of flooding, by selective clearing of vegetation and removal of 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 re-vegetation 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.