> These actions were closely monitored by the Project team

 

BEFORE THE RESTORATION (2015)

The restoration and rehabilitation of degraded ponds are one of the main actions of the LIFE Charcos Project in order to restore the natural conditions that will allow, in long-term, the maintenance of these habitats. Thus, restoration actions have been carried out in two temporary ponds in the Forest Perimeter of Vila do Bispo, in Algarve.

Picture 1 - Google earth image shows the area of the temporary puddle (the red line) and the border of the invasive vegetation control (the green line)

In one of the ponds it was necessary to control the invasive vegetation, namely acacias, which were invading the pond area and conditioning the habitat's conservation status. In about 20 meters around the pond, in a total area of 6,000 m2, it was cutted and removed a few hundred acacias, which made up about 10 tons of firewood. To carry out this activity, the support of the team of Sapadores Florestais of the Municipality of Vila do Bispo was crucial.

Another restoration action was the recovery of the topography of the water retention basin of the two temporary ponds, creating the conditions to ensure the existence of three vegetation belts that are characteristic of this habitat.

This action also included planting shrubs and sowing grasses on the bank of one of the restored ponds. These actions were closely monitored by the Project team to ensure the safeguarding of the flora and fauna associated with these unique habitats during the interventions.

For example, special attention was given to the more superficial layers of sediment that were collected and replaced in the same place, after the intervention. The main reason is because they contain the seed bank with plant spores and the cysts of the large branchiopods, which its characteristic of this habitat and essential for the natural recovery after the intervention.

 

ONE HYDRO PERIOD AFTER THE INTERVENTIONS (2016)