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> Animal Architectures and Biological Control of the Processionary Moth

Western Sierra, Madrid, Spain
2020




This work consists of a series of animal architectures that contribute, on the one hand, to the preservation of biodiversity and, on the other hand, to the biological control of the processionary moth in Mediterranean pine forests and other locations where overpopulation of this species is common. Currently, a significant portion of Mediterranean pine forests are experiencing environmental imbalances, such as biodiversity loss and overpopulation of certain species. These changes are mostly a consequence of global warming, as well as certain human actions directly impacting this type of environment. Among the actions that harm biodiversity in forests, one significant example is the spraying of chemicals to eliminate species that have become too abundant. These actions not only affect the targeted species, but also have indirect consequences for others in the ecosystem. Efforts to eradicate the overpopulation of the pine processionary moth with pesticides are an example of such actions, and today it is perhaps one of the most worrying cases of spraying in this ecosystem, as well as in other Mediterranean forests.  




















The spraying of insecticides is a direct attack against this species; instead, we posit that overpopulation should be dealt with through comprehensive actions that care for the forest in its entirety, without excluding the processionary. Such actions could entail, for example, biological control through the care and promotion of biodiversity.

As an alternative, and as part of a set of community actions of integral care, we have designed different models of architectures for species of animals in this forest that require cavities where they can nest or find refuge. These animal architectures are adaptations that have been learned from others and are still rare and largely overlooked. However, they are very important. They have been made by some residents of urban areas in the Sierra Oeste in Madrid and Ávila, as well as by associations of biologists, amateur ornithologists, citizens, and other environmental activists in various towns in the Sierra Oeste de Madrid and other nearby locations.











Implemented Case
The first prototypes have been implemented in the pine forest plot of the housing development where the (Synanthro)Love Shack project is located, in the Sierra Oeste de Madrid. They were built with pieces of wood left over from the construction of the cabin. As part of the dissemination work, plans and instructions were distributed among the neighbors in the area.








(Neighborhood actions)









(Implemented case in (Synanthro)Love Shack)
































Team: Diego Barajas and Camilo García with Aristides Mettas, Almudena Tenorio, Marta Amírola, Jeronime Doise, Daniel Prieto and Elena del Cura / Text: Diego Barajas and Camilo García / Photography: Luis Díaz Díaz and Impresiones Cotidianas (Juan Asolot) / English translation: Carlota Mir.