> Hiking organized by Almargem Association in Vicentina’ Coast was assisted by LPN team of LIFE Charcos Project in order to explain the importance of Temporary Ponds that exists in the region for conservation.
The Almargem - Association for the Defense of the Cultural and Environmental Heritage of Algarve, promoted one more hike in the Algarve natural landscapes, on 19th September, 2015. This time, the hike passed by the highest point of Vicentina’ Coast – the Aspa Tower. This hike was assisted by a LPN technician, Cristina Baião, who presented to the participants the LIFE Charcos Project - "Conservation Temporary Ponds in the southwest coast of Portugal."
The Aspa Tower is located in the municipality of Vila do Bispo and is the highest elevation area in the Vicentina’ Coast and where there are some of the most important temporary ponds in the area. During this journey it was possible to enjoy the breathtaking scenery, communicate with participants and raise their awareness for the conservation of Mediterranean Temporary Ponds that were finding along the way.
(Some of the participants in the walk)
Cristina Baião, who walked together with the participants, had the opportunity to explain that the ponds are shallow depressions that have an annual alternation between a dry phase and a flooded stage.
In this time of year, although they are in the dry phase, it was possible to locate them. Thus, showing to all participants that even when the ponds are in a summer dormant phase, it can still be considered a differentiating element of the landscape. The species of flora and fauna that colonize these habitats are specially adapted to the ecological conditions such as the typical of Mediterranean region, namely the seasonal water availability. Therefore, these species have the ability to live in submersion conditions for several months and thereafter can support summer conditions of extreme dryness. This spatial and temporal dynamics of flooding and dry conditions the composition and zonation of living beings in the temporary ponds.
In addition to the awareness of the importance of temporary pools it was also possible to explain one of the restoration actions that the Project has started. Precisely at the nearest temporary pond of the old watch station of Torre de Aspa situated in Vila do Bispo Forest Perimeter, the LIFE Charcos team started the intervention with the support of the Municipality of Vila do Bispo, the Intermunicipal Association of Terras do Infante and the collaboration of ICNF. This particular one was focus on the intensive removal of invasive plants, such as acacia, and the restoration of natural morphology of the pond area.
(Cristina Baião, LPN technician of the LIFE Charcos Project, explain the habitat dynamics and interventions that already begun here to recover this particular pond)
