LIFE Imperial - Conservation of the Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) in Portugal

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1 LIFE Imperial - Conservation of the Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) in Portugal L I F E 1 3 N A T / P T / CONTACT DETAILS: Contact person: Rita Alcazar Tel: Fax: lpn.natureza@lpn.pt PROJECT DESCRIPTION: BACKGROUND Currently, the Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) is considered endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, as nesting is restrict Portugal and Spain. The size of its reproductive population in the Iberian Peninsula is so small that there is a high risk of extinction (by simple demographic mischance and/or genetic deterioration) due to unpredictable environmental factors. In re years, however, the population in Spain has recovered and opportunities have emerged to expand its breeding population in Portugal. OBJECTIVES The project LIFE IMPERIAL aims to increase the population of the Spanish imperial eagle in Portugal and, thereafter, improv the overall Iberian population. A group of planned actions will establish a coherent network to reduce the main threats that a affecting the establishment of pairs in Portugal. These actions include: promoting the maintenance and conservation of its ha in order to enhance the species natural recolonisation; improving the quality of breeding habitat for both existing (nine pairs) new breeding pairs (at least three); increasing availability of prey species in specified areas; reducing mortality factors such a illegal activities (namely poisoning and/or electrocution by power lines); improving efforts by game managers, hunters, land owners, decision makers, birdwatchers, inspection and magistrate entities and others to help conserve the species and ensu its long-term prosperity in Portugal; raising awareness of the general public and stakeholders (including tourism operators an photographers) about the importance of Spanish imperial eagle conservation. Expected results: Anticipated outcomes from the project include the following: The maintenance of nine existing breeding couples and the establishment of at least three new couples; Acquisition of a minimum of 12 trees/small woods supporting nests or with nesting potential; Installation of a minimum of 11 artificial platforms and reinforcement of five existing nests; Promotion of favourable management measures in territories established at 12 areas in four Natura 2000 network sites (six at Internacional site, one at Mourão/Moura/Barrancos site, one at Castro Verde site and four at Vale do Guadiana site); Identification of the factors limiting the establishment of breeding couples at the project s four Natura 2000 sites (SPAs); Production of a manual of best habitat management practices covering the conservation of imperial eagle; Increasing food availability in at least five territories of Spanish imperial eagle;

2 Correction of 157 power line supports and six power line disconnectors covering 25 km; Creation and approval (by the competent Portuguese authorities ICNF) of the Spanish Imperial Eagle National Action Plan; Nine inspection actions/month made by each of the three created canine teams; Training course on illegal poisoning for technicians, SEPNA-GNR ( nature police), ICNF and other agents; Iberian workshop on fighting against poison; Manual of procedures on the conduct of proceedings of unlawful acts against protected species; Establishment of a stewardship network; Organisation of two workshops and an international seminar; Participation of a minimum of five schools and four after-school clubs in the project s environmental awareness activities for children and young people; Completion of six environmental awareness activities for the general public, with the anticipated involvement of 15 participants each activity; and A visitors map and good practice guide for nature photographers and birdwatchers BENEFICIARIES: COORDINATOR TYPE OF ORGANISATION DESCRIPTION PARTNERS Liga para a Protecção da Natureza NGO-Foundation The NGO, Liga para a Protecção da Natureza (LPN), focuses on nature conservation, biodiversity and ecosystem protection in Portugal. Mãe d'água(mãe d água, consultoria técnica em áreas de interesse natural, Lda.), Port FCUL(FCUL - Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa), Portugal SEO(Socie Española de Ornitología (SEO/BirdLife)), Spain GNR(Guarda Nacional Republicana), Portugal EDPD(EDP Distribuição Energia, S.A.), Portugal CMCV(Câmara Municipal d Castro Verde), Portugal ICNF(ICNF - Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, IP), Portugal TRAGSATEC(Tecnología y Servicios Agrarios S. A.), Spain ADMINISTRATIVE DATA: PROJECT REFERENCE LIFE13 NAT/PT/ DURATION 01-JUL-2014 to 31-DEC TOTAL BUDGET 2,475, EU CONTRIBUTION 1,854,725.00

3 LIFE Berlengas - Conserving threatened habitats and species in Berlengas SPA through sustainable management L I F E 1 3 N A T / P T / CONTACT DETAILS: Contact person: Luis Costa Tel: joana.andrade@spea.pt PROJECT DESCRIPTION: BACKGROUND In 2011 the Berlengas Natura 2000 site (SPA) was enlarged to include a significant proportion of its marine area. Linked to t site extension, the Portuguese nature conservation agency (ICNF) launched an initiative to develop a management plan for new area. Unfortunately, the baseline information proved to be insufficient and clear planned actions were lacking. As a resu legally binding plan never materialised. OBJECTIVES The project aims to establish a legally binding management plan with clear and measurable actions and targets for defined s in the Atlantic coastal archipelago. The Portuguese government has joined forces with SPEA for this objective. Project goals be achieved through the use of tailored versions of proven archipelago management methodologies. Outcomes will be ready apply at local, regional, national and international levels. Three key project phases are planned: first, understanding the main threats affecting seabird populations and endemic plant species on land and at sea (for seabirds) and defining actions to minimise/eradicate them, including a long-term monitoring scheme; second, promoting sustainable use of the recently created Berlengas Natura 2000 site (SPA), focusing on its three economic activities (fisheries, recreational activities and tourism); and third, confirming the necessary monitoring framework the completion and approval of the management plan. Expected results: Three endemic plant species mapped and monitored, including the impacts of introduced plant species; Assessment of Carpobrotus edulis (main invasive plant species), including its expansion range and the test of eradication met at specific areas; At least two years of monitoring of breeding seabird species (Cory's shearwater, Madeiran storm petrel, cormorant, common guillemot, yellow-legged gull, lesser black-backed gull), as well as the assessment of threats at land and sea, quantification of resources and monitoring costs; Cory's shearwater, storm-petrel and common guillemot seabird populations fully assessed both at land and sea (distribution, fisheries interactions and predation); Number of artificial nests for Cory's shearwater, storm-petrel constructed increased by at least 3%. Individual tracking of spec and metal ringing (At least 25 Cory's shearwater and 20 storm-petrels tracked each year, and alien mammal predators controlled

4 and eradicated); Video monitoring of remaining nests for guillemot and live streaming of Cory's shearwater on the project website; Assessment of population status of the yellow-legged gull and trends, impacts on other seabird and plant species and testing new population control methods; Identification of human pressures and its relation to alien plants/mammals; At least 15% of the fishing fleet operating within the SPA monitored to assess by-catch levels; At least 25% to 50% of this fleet implementing mitigation methods by the end of the project; Creation of a dedicated visitor centre in Berlengas island, as well as the improvement of visitor trails and definition of guideline both residents and tourists; Best-practice guidelines for fishing crews, tourists, residents and birdwatchers; Management plan approved, including cost assessments; and Local schools and local businesses implementing the management plan, together with public authorities and NGOs. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED: THEMES Habitats - Coastal Species - Birds TARGET SPECIES Calonectris diomedea Herniaria lusitanica ssp. berlengiana Larus fuscus Larus michahellis Narcissus bulbocodium Oceanodroma castro Phalacrocorax aristotelis Scrophularia sublyrata Uria aalge ibericus NATURA 2000 SITES SPA PTZPE0009 Ilhas Berlengas SIC PTCON0006 Arquipélago da Berlenga BENEFICIARIES: COORDINATOR TYPE OF ORGANISATION Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves NGO-Foundation

5 DESCRIPTION PARTNERS SPEA is the BirdLife International partner in Portugal. BirdLife international is a global partnership of conservation organisations focused on birds, their habitats and global biodiversity. ICNF(Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, I. P.), Portugal FCSH(Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas-Universidade Nova de Lisboa-Centro Estudos de Geografia e Planeamento Regional), Portugal CMP(Município de Peniche), Portugal ADMINISTRATIVE DATA: PROJECT REFERENCE LIFE13 NAT/PT/ DURATION 01-JUN-2014 to 30-SEP TOTAL BUDGET 1,380, EU CONTRIBUTION 690,365.00

6 LIFE Saramugo - Conservation of the Saramugo (Anaecypris hispanica) in the Guadiana basin (Portugal) L I F E 1 3 N A T / P T / CONTACT DETAILS: Contact person: Rita Alcazar Tel: Fax: rita.alcazar@lpn.pt PROJECT DESCRIPTION: BACKGROUND The Iberian Peninsula is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots of European freshwater fish species. Most of these native species are endemic to this geographic region, and the majority of them are threatened. The saramugo (Anaecypris hispanica), a fish species, is included in this group of endangered species. It is listed as critically endangered in the Portug Red Data Book of Vertebrates and is included in Annex II and IV of the EU Habitats Directive. The distribution range and population size of this species, however, has continued to decline over the past 40 years. This downward trend is increasing risk of local extinctions and urgent action is needed to halt the species further decline. OBJECTIVES The project s main aim is to strengthen saramugo populations by improving its habitat. Actions foreseen include: updating knowledge of populations in the Guadiana River basin enclosed in Portuguese territory; rehabilitating shelter, feeding and reproduction habitats and their connectivity; promoting habitat suitability for the saramugo, in order to allow future reintroduc or population reinforcements with specimens reproduced ex situ (preserving intraspecific diversity); clarifying the potential impacts of co-existence with the invasive bleak (Alburnus alburnus) testing barriers that could prevent bleak progression in a of saramugo; reducing water pollution caused by livestock, in order to safeguard and improve water quality; and demonstrati techniques applicable to invasive alien species removal and expansion control, in order to reduce the impact of this threat. T project will also assess techniques suitability for replication in other sites and will contribute to the long-term conservation of saramugo through the participation of landowners, farmers, livestock producers, and decision makers. It will also raise public awareness. Expected results: Updated conservation status of the species population throughout the project area; A coherent and homogeneous database (using GIS) of information regarding the target species; Clarification of the impact of coexistence with the bleak;

7 Identification of devices (cross barriers, electric current, specific pheromones etc.) that could be used as tools to control the progression of the bleak; Removal of invasive alien species in at least in three locations (two locations in Natura 2000 site Moura/Barrancos and one location in the Guadiana site), repeated over the three years in areas where they constitute a threat to saramugo populations; Protection of the waterways from negative impacts associated with livestock, including promoting the rehabilitation of riparian vegetation; Rehabilitation of saramugo s habitat through sediment removal in two areas and 4 km riverside gallery recovery; Development and demonstration of an effective prototype barrier for halting the progression of the bleak; Implementation and testing one type of automatic device for the removal of invasive alien species; Workshop for sharing knowledge about exotic fish species control; Seminar to disseminate knowledge on the conservation of native fish and saramugo; Good practices manual for the conservation and rehabilitation of saramugo s habitat; Raised awareness of the general public, landowners and stakeholders about their roles in the long-term conservation of this species and habitat. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED: THEMES Species - Fish TARGET SPECIES Anaecypris hispanica NATURA 2000 SITES SIC PTCON0007 S. Mamede SIC PTCON0036 Guadiana SIC PTCON0053 Moura / Barrancos BENEFICIARIES: COORDINATOR TYPE OF ORGANISATION Liga para a Protecção da Natureza NGO-Foundation

8 DESCRIPTION PARTNERS LPN is responsible for the conservation nature and the protection biodiversity and ecosystems in Portugal. UÉVORA (Universidade de Évora), Portugal ICNF (Instituto da Conservação da Nature das Florestas, IP), Portugal AQUALOGUS (Aqualogus - Engenharia e Ambiente, Lda.), Portugal ADMINISTRATIVE DATA: PROJECT REFERENCE LIFE13 NAT/PT/ DURATION 01-JUL-2014 to 31-JAN TOTAL BUDGET 1,453, EU CONTRIBUTION 726,831.00

9 lifebiodiscoveries - Invasive species control through public participation L I F E 1 3 B I O / P T / CONTACT DETAILS: Contact person: Andreia Pereira Tel: andreia.pereira@cm-barreiro.pt PROJECT DESCRIPTION: BACKGROUND Following a decision by the municipality of Barreiro to create a local protected area for the Machada forest and Coina marsh surveys of flora and vegetation were carried out. These identified the need to protect the native woods of Machada, including plant species Euphorbia uliginosa that is under threat from the spread of various invasive acia species. In the surrounding m areas the less aggressive, ice plants (Carpobrotus edulis (L.)) also posed a threat to native vegetation. OBJECTIVES The project is aiming to develop an alternative to the traditional models of invasive species control, combining a public component and strong support for volunteering. It also aims to take into account the experiences gained from other LIFE pro targeting invasive species control. Specifically, it aims to show through its management model based on public participation that it is possible to achieve a bette cost/benefit ratio, in terms of the allocation of resources and environmental impact, and also in terms of the social involveme the control of invasive species. As well as improving biodiversity, an important aspect of the project will be a strong dissemination campaign. Expected results: The main expected result will be a social dynamic created by mobilising volunteers. It is expected that this help to ensure the future sustainable management of the protected area. It is also expected that the existing areas of marshland with their high biodiversity value will be better protected from scarcity water by the elimination of competing, alien species from target patches. The main quantifiable expected results will include: Control of invasive species on 75 ha of Machada forest; Use of grazing to control invasive plants during the three final years of the project on an area of 10 ha; Adoption of the more mature areas of native vegetation for management by groups of volunteers with the aim of creating mat cork oak woods in the future; Analysis of the impact of the various volunteer actions including levels and types of action for each type of group and contin capacities; Adoption, improvement and protection of all the humid habitats with Ulex minor, Molinia caerulea and Erica ciliaris; and with Cheirolophus uliginosus, Pinguicula lusitanica, Erica erigena, Fuirena pubescens and Juncus rugosus; Improvement or construction of 10 Km of nature trails;

10 Monitoring studies on the conservation measures; and Numerous actions and activities to disseminate the outcomes, addressed at local stakeholders and the general public. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED: THEMES Habitats - Forests Biodiversity issues - Invasive species KEYWORDS forest ecosystem social participation voluntary work protected area NATURA 2000 SITES Not applicable BENEFICIARIES: COORDINATOR TYPE OF ORGANISATION DESCRIPTION PARTNERS Câmara Municipal do Barreiro Local authority The Câmara Municipal do Barreiro (CMB) is the public authority responsible for the administration of the municipality of Barreiro in Cape Verde, Portugal. Its responsibilities cover land management, public participation and promotion of the district s cultural and natural heritage. Development work in the fields of environment and sustainability includ actions organised by the Centre for Environmental Education (CEA) targeting the Mach national forest (the project area). None ADMINISTRATIVE DATA: PROJECT REFERENCE LIFE13 BIO/PT/ DURATION 01-JUL-2014 to 01-JUL TOTAL BUDGET 1,322, EU CONTRIBUTION 661, PROJECT LOCATION Lisboa e Vale do Tejo