Landscapes Forest and Global Change - ESA - Escola Superior ...

M.C. Silva et al. 2010. Using Business and Biodiversity to put Conservation into practice
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bourgaeanae-Quercetum rotundifoliae woodlands. These few areas are restricted to
streamsides and damp areas which display enormous diversity. Pyro bourgaeanae-Quercetum
rotundifoliae, is a sandy meso-Mediterranean, dry to sub-humid Holm oakland which occurs in
the Luso-Extremadurense Province (Pereira, 2004). Areas were this plant community occurs
have a good conservation status despite their size, and are characterized by the presence of
Quercus rotundifolia Lam. and Pyrus bourgaeana Decne.. Currently, there is some significant
effort to restore these areas , being the main goal providing food and shelter for fauna
populations, by planting myrtle, rosemary, lavender, edible fig, hawthorn, strawberry tree and
elmleaf blackberry species.
Synthetic table of the Pyro bourgaeanae-Quercetum rotundifoliae Rivas-Martínez 1987, at
slope of Caridade streamside, slopes with high inclination, N, 100 m². Characteristics: Quercus
rotundifolia 2, Pyrus bourgeana 1, Olea sylvestris 1, Thapsia villosa; Companions: Cytisus
scoparius 2, Cistus ladanifer 2, Lavandula luisieri 1, Asphodelus ramosus 1, Umbilicus
rupestris +, Allium massaessylum +.
Stone Pine Plantations and Stone Pine Plantation with sparse Holm oak
As referred above, to the government decision of financing afforestation projects was allegedly
to get more land productivity and environmental gains (Biodiversity, carbon, soil…). Due to
heavy soil preparation, excessive tillage and excessive tree density the Holm oak trees present in
these areas are dying, suggesting that their roots were damaged, destroyed and infected. We
suggest progressive removal of all Stone Pine, good management of scrubland and investigating
Holm oak decline for further reforestation.
Orchid meadows and grasslands
In the Esporão estate the orchids are present in open grasslands and meadows between February
and June. These are managed for low grazing intensity, since they are mainly present in
sensitive areas. This allows orchids to grow and seed to provide a pretty ‘postcard’ for the
visitors as well as raises the attention of botanists. In these habitats six orchid species can be
found (Serapias strictiflora, Serapias lingua, Serapias parviflora, Orchis papilionacea, Orchis
morio and Ophrys tenthredinifera). Orchid genus Serapias and Ophrys metapopulation reached
over 20 individuals, making this a HCVA. This is a hemicriptofit, meso-xerofitic meadow that
grows in shallow soils rich in bases and characterized by the presence of Phlomido lychnitidis-
Brachypodietum phoenicoidis communities. At this point, it is important to reinforce the
importance of this habitat for conservation, being a priority (as listed in the Council Directive
92/43/EEC) if one of the following criteria is observed: rich orchid composition (> 4 species);
presence of an important population (> 20 individuals) of one or more orchid species.
Synthetic table of the Phlomido lychnitidis­Brachypodietum phoenicoidis Br.‐Bl., P. Silva &
Rozeira 1956, at edges of tracks, with low inclination, E, 10 m². Characteristics: Phlomis
lychnitis 4; Companions: Paronychia argentea 2, Gynandriris sysrinchium 1, Vulpia ciliata 1.
Streamside woodlands and grasslands
This is possibly the clearest example of the ‘Habitat approach’ importance to our work. The
habitat evaluation shows the right conditions for fauna settlement. Despite this first analysis, the
amphibian populations that should be present in the Caridade stream were not settled (to be
further explored in upcoming paper). The main reasons are suspected to be high populations of
red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and low input of water from the dam discharge. Red
swamp crayfish, an alien species, prefers marshes, ponds and slow moving rivers and streams.
They are tolerant to fluctuating water levels and can survive long dry spells by remaining in
burrows. Red swamp crayfish are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, snails, insects, fish
and amphibian eggs and young. It seems that this alien species tend to reduce amphibians
Forest Landscapes and Global Change-New Frontiers in Management, Conservation and Restoration. Proceedings of the IUFRO Landscape Ecology
Working Group International Conference, September 21-27, 2010, Bragança, Portugal. J.C. Azevedo, M. Feliciano, J. Castro & M.A. Pinto (eds.)
2010, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal.