LARRUN AND XOLDOKOGAINA MASSIF Description and situation The Larrun massif is the direct link between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range, on the border between France and Spain. Surface area 5 700 ha Protection status ZEC-NATURA 2000 (FR7200760) Other regional or national protections Natural Zone of Ecological Interest, Zone of Importance for Bird Preservation. Main uses Agricultural and livestock, forestry. Tourism is very important, with several hiking routes. Ownership Mainly public Habitats targeted by LIFE (4030) Dry European heath, (6430) Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities (7110) active high fens, (7120) degraded high fens capable of natural regeneration, (7140) transition mires, (7150) Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion, (7230) low alkaline fens This ZEC is considered one of the natural monuments in the Atlantic Pyrenees department. From the 905-metre altitude of Mount Larrun, there is a 360º panoramic view of Euskadi, the Landes, Navarre and the Atlantic Ocean, making the site an important touristic centre with a massive affluence of visitors. In fact, this zone has been frequented since pre-historic times, as shown by its wealth of burial mounds, stone circles and dolmens. The nearby Sara caves and Rhune touristic cog train propitiate the presence of tourists in the zone all year long. The climate is Atlantic, due to the ocean's proximity to it, with abundant precipitation year-round. 66% of the surface area is occupied by mountain pastures, and 25% by deciduous forests. Marshes and fens are also present in the area. Of the 30 natural habitats described in this site, 22 are on the list of community interest, and seven of them are considered priority. Many of these habitats, especially the moors, are closely related to human activity. However, the mountain pastures are being reduced as grazing decreases, which encourages the spreading of brush. 18 animal species of community interest also live in the zone. Some saproxylic insects, snails and butterflies are of note. Mammals include the Pyrenean desman and some protected bat species. The LIFE activities -Monitoring feed production in habitats 4030 and 6230 under different management conditions (burns, brush clearing or livestock load). - Monitoring of vegetation evolution depending on different management methods for the habitats of community interest - Analysis of the landscape's dynamic in the Larrun and Ibanteli massif based on aerial photographs from 1951 and 2015 and more detailed comparisons with a shorter interval (every 10 years) with plots of interest. .