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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populations in the Caridade stream (the main watercourse, which also floods the dam). This
problem can partially be solved in time as the european otter (Lutra lutra) and some waterfowl
are increasingly feeding on the crayfish. The ecological flow regime recognizes that flow
magnitude, duration, frequency, timing, and predictability must be incorporated into any flow
management strategy (Suen, 2005). So, changes in hydrologic trends, in concern to the
continuing decline in the water levels in Caridade stream were solved through ecological flow
management.
Five RELAPE species were found in the areas surveyed (Ophrys tenthredinifera,
Narcissus bulbocodium, Linaria spartea, Narcissus jonquilla and Genista polyanthos). Caridade
vegetation is dominated by Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl galleries and woodlands (Ficario
ranunculoidis – Fraxinetum angustifoliae). Beneath and next the mature canopy it also can be
described a high scrubland community of Rubo ulmifolii – Nerietum oleandri. Aquatic
vegetation is also present, with Chara sp., Ranunculus peltatus Schrank and Callitriche
stagnalis Scop. communities. These aquatic communities are extremely important to amphibian
population, as refuge areas.
The dam area is the most important for aquatic birds, despite the poor presence of vegetation
communities. There are some communities of Typha angustifolia L. and Phragmites australis
(Cav.) Trin. in the South East of the dam (Typho angustifoliae – Phragmitetum australis), but
all the remnant area hasn’t vegetation. So the main action is to increase patches of vegetation by
rooting some adequate plants.
Synthetic table of the Ficario ranunculoidis – Fraxinetum angustifoliae Rivas‐Martínez &
Costa in Rivas‐Martínez, Costa, Castroviejo & E. Valdés 1980, at Caridade stream, with low
inclination, N, 100 m². Characteristics: Fraxinus angustifolia 2, Crataegus monogyna 2,
Ranunculus ficaria 1, Aristolochia paucinervis 1, Scilla peruviana +; Companions: Pyrus
bourgeana 2, Nerium oleander 1, Asparagus acutifolius 1, Smyrnium olusatrum 1, Gynandriris
sysrinchium 1, Dactylis hispanica 1, Geranium molle 1, Ornithogalum baeticum +, Narcissus
bulbocodium +, Ophrys tenthredinifera +.
Rosemary scrubland
Scattered throughout the Esporão landscape, many patches with rosemary scrubland which have
importance to pollinator ecosystems service can be found. These also provide stepping-stone
corridors to many species of invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians and birds.
The flowers of rosemary produce pollen and nectar to attract insect populations so the
maintenance of scrub dominated vegetative complex within Lavandula stoechas L. is important.
In order to effectively conserve these scrubland areas, management of HCVA must restore and
maintain rosemary habitats. To achieve this, land managers must minimize grazing intensity.
Further work will include the measure of pollination services, so it is important to assess the
rosemary scrubland habitat to measure its ecosytemic value. Also, the maintained of these
habitats in Esporão landscape tend to safeguard and enhance pollination function in order to
ensure effective pollination of wild plants (Potts, 2006), specially orchids species that are
pollination limited, may also be enhanced by maintain rosermay patches in landscape.
4. Discussion
The Esporão estate habitats and landscapes are quite diverse, with important high conservation
value species despite some forest areas degradation. We have assessed that dynamic plant
communities are present, which are intensively interconnected in ecotone regions defining
different ecological corridors. Also, Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) are, to some extent, a
valid tool for land owners / managers, by facilitating the identification and mapping of High
Conservation Value Areas (HCVA) and important plant communities/assemblages that include
rare, endemic, localized, threatened and/or endangered plant species, thus allowing the
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.