The concrete conservation actions of Life-Relict aim to improve the conservation status and ecological function of the Laurissilva Continental relicts. By implementing these conservation actions, it is envisaged to increase the area of habitat occurrence by restoring favorable adjacent areas, reducing the impact of key conservation threats and demonstrating innovative methodologies and approaches to sound management.
ACTION C1 – Collection and Propagation of Vegetative Material
This action aims to collect and propagate the necessary plant material to increase and improve the conservation status of the Life-Relict project’s target habitat areas and will serve for the correct implementation of the following conservation actions. In this sense, seeds of indigenous plants characteristic of these Continental Laurissilva Relict communities will be collected in all areas of intervention of the project.
ACTION C2 – Improvement of the Conservation Status of Portuguese Laurel Effective Areas
In this action, several management measures will be implemented, divided into sub-actions aimed at improving the conservation status of existing Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica subsp. Lusitanica) patches belonging to habitat 5230*. This set of field interventions will enable the conservation status of the Life-Relict conservation target habitat to be improved and, at the same time, reduce the risk of fire as it is one of the biggest threats facing the habitat today.
- Sub-action C2.1 Recovery of the water channels that feed the Portuguese Laurel Community
- Sub-action C2.2 Selective vegetation control
- Sub-action C2.3 Improvement of habitat structure through targeted plantations
ACTION C3 – Improvement of the Conservation Status of Pontic Rhododendron Effective Areas.
In this action, several management measures will be implemented, divided into sub-actions, which aim to improve the conservation status of existing Pontic Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum subsp. Baeticum) patches belonging to habitat 5230*. This set of field interventions will enable the conservation status of the Life-Relict conservation target habitat to be improved and, at the same time, reduce the risk of fire as this is one of the biggest threats facing the habitat today.
- Sub-action C3.1 Selective vegetation control
- Sub-action C3.2 Improvement of habitat structure through targeted plantations
ACTION C4 – Increase of the Portuguese Laurel habitat area
Through a set of sub-actions, it is intended to significantly expand the areas of occurrence of Portuguese Laurel, promoting its restoration in potential areas of natural occurrence. This action will increase the effective area of habitat occurrence 5230*, which according to the 3rd National Implementation Report of the Habitats Directive (2007-2012) is “unfavorable” in Portugal. From a conservation point of view, this measure is important for P. lusitanica communities, due to the fragmentation, poor representativeness and state of degradation in which they are currently in the Iberian Peninsula, with limited possibilities for expansion.
- Sub-action C4.1 Selective vegetation control
- Sub-action C4.2 Plantation
- Sub-action C4.3 Control of non-invasive alien species
ACTION C5 – Increase in Pontic Rhododendron habitat area
Similar to action C4, this action is intended to significantly expand the areas of occurrence of Pontic Rhododendron, promoting their restoration in potential areas of occurrence, through a set of sub-actions. This action will increase the effective area of habitat occurrence 5230*, which according to the 3rd National Implementation Report of the Habitats Directive (2007-2012) is “unfavorable” in Portugal. From a conservation point of view, this measure is especially important for R. ponticum communities once which, as mentioned in the threats chapter, are at risk due to the alarming inability to install seminal plants.
- Sub-action C.5.1 Selective vegetation control
- Sub-action C5.2 Plantations
- Subaction C5.3 Control of non-invasive alien species
ACTION C6 – Control of invasive alien species
In some areas of intervention of the project there is a surface where two species with great invasive power occur, namely Acacia dealbata and Hakea sericea. Given the threat posed by these nuclei to the preservation of 5230* habitat, this action aims to implement control measures for these invasive alien species.
ACTION C7 – Reduction of fire hazard
This action will make it possible to reduce the risk and speed of the spread of forest fires in areas adjacent to the Habitat nuclei, reducing the likelihood that they will be achieved through a set of sub-actions. Measures will be taken to foster partitioning of the landscape and the creation of buffer areas. This will improve and increase hardwood plant communities which, as is recognized, slow the spread of fire. To achieve this goal, the areas surrounding the habitat will benefit from the following sub-actions:
- Sub-action C7.1 Recovery and cleaning of study area access paths
- Sub-action C7.2 Selective vegetation control
- Sub-action C7.3 Directed Plantations
- Sub-action C7.4 Control of non-invasive alien species
- Sub-Action C7.5 Improvement of the existent chestnut forest
To know the progress of these actions, please click HERE
Life-Relict monitoring actions are fundamental to the project’s good functioning as it allows to evaluate the impact of conservation and awareness actions, as well as to find errors that can be corrected throughout the project.
ACTION D.1 – Monitoring and evaluation of project “C” actions
The effectiveness of project actions will be assessed by monitoring them from pre-implementation to completion.
ACTION D.2 – Monitoring socio-economic impact
This action will provide a better socio-economic understanding of the territories where the 5230 * habitat fits, through an integrated and holistic analysis with a view to assessing the impact on future habitat conservation. On the other hand, it is also essential to monitor the effective impact of environmental awareness and education actions on the Portuguese population.
ACTION D.3 – Monitoring project impact on ecosystem function
This action will evaluate and monitor the role of ecosystems within the project’s intervention areas.
ACTION D.4 – Cost-effectiveness monitoring of project actions
This action intends to make an assessment and balance between the costs and efficiency of the main actions of this project, that is, the concrete conservation actions. This will make it possible to compare the total costs of actions with the total benefits received, as well as to detect and signal behaviors that make management work more efficient.
ACTION D.5 – Monitoring and evaluation of project performance indicators
This is an action that aims to monitor and evaluate a series of performance indicators of the implemented actions. This is an extremely important action, as it contributes clearly and directly to the overall assessment of the impact of this project on both nature conservation, social and economic levels.
To know the progress of these actions, please click HERE
Life-Relict awareness actions aim to disseminate all results to enhance their replication as well as to communicate, raise awareness and boost environmental education in favor of the conservation of these Continental Laurissilva relics.
ACTION E1 – Dissemination of the project to the general public
This action aims to publicize Life-Relict, as well as habitats and RN2000, to the general public. This action is extremely important as it will make local populations, visitors and all those interested in environmental issues aware of the need to preserve this habitat, indirectly contributing to its future preservation. It is expected that this action will change social behaviors and minimize some of the associated threats (such as fire risk, improper collection of copies, among others).
- Sub-action E1.1 Production and maintenance of project website and Facebook page
- Sub-action E1.2 Installation of informative panels on the project
- Sub-action E1.3 Execution of the Layman’s Report
ACTION E2 – Communication and nature tourism
This action includes the dissemination of the project and the promotion of ecotourism. Thus, the various activities will make known the importance of conservation of this type of vegetation, increasing social awareness of the need for its preservation and the historical and natural value they represent. This knowledge is fundamental to instill in society a protective role of its natural values and sense of belonging. It also intends to contribute to the creation of structures and materials to support nature tourism, indispensable for the sustainable socio-economic development of these inland regions.
- Sub-action E2.1 Informative flyers
- Sub-action E2.2 Creation of itinerant exhibitions
- Sub-action E2.3 Implementation of interpretive trails
- Sub-action E2.4 Implementation of media reports
- Sub-action E2.5 Dissemination action during the event “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal”
ACTION E3 – Environmental awareness and education
The correct information and awareness of the population for the conservation of this natural heritage is fundamental for its future preservation. In this sense, Life-Relict foresees the development of actions directed to the school community of the target municipalities, as well as to the local population.
- Sub-action E3.1 Environmental education projects in schools
- Sub-action E3.2 School contest
- Sub-action E3.3 informative sessions
- Sub-action E3.4 Plantations with volunteers
ACTION E4 – Scientific dissemination of the project
The scientific dissemination of the project is fundamental and even essential for the dissemination of the methodologies used and the results obtained so that this action intends to develop various activities that will promote the scientific dissemination of the project.
- Sub-action E4.1 Organization of seminars
- Sub-action E4.2 Organization of technical workshops
- Sub-action E4.3 Representation in national and international seminars and congresses
- Sub-action E4.4 Promotion of talks
- Sub-action E4.5 field Guide
ACTION E5 – Replication Efforts and Networking with Other Projects
This action aims to establish contacts with other national or international projects, as well as with entities that may have an interest in the replication of management measures validated during the present project.
- Sub-action E5.1 Establish a network of contacts with other projects
- Sub-action E5.2 Replication efforts
To know the progress of these actions, please click HERE
The concrete conservation actions of Life-Relict aim to improve the conservation status and ecological function of the Laurissilva Continental relicts. By implementing these conservation actions, it is envisaged to increase the area of habitat occurrence by restoring favorable adjacent areas, reducing the impact of key conservation threats and demonstrating innovative methodologies and approaches to sound management.
ACTION C1 – Collection and Propagation of Vegetative Material
This action aims to collect and propagate the necessary plant material to increase and improve the conservation status of the Life-Relict project’s target habitat areas and will serve for the correct implementation of the following conservation actions. In this sense, seeds of indigenous plants characteristic of these Continental Laurissilva Relict communities will be collected in all areas of intervention of the project.
ACTION C2 – Improvement of the Conservation Status of Portuguese Laurel Effective Areas
In this action, several management measures will be implemented, divided into sub-actions aimed at improving the conservation status of existing Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica subsp. Lusitanica) patches belonging to habitat 5230*. This set of field interventions will enable the conservation status of the Life-Relict conservation target habitat to be improved and, at the same time, reduce the risk of fire as it is one of the biggest threats facing the habitat today.
- Sub-action C2.1 Recovery of the water channels that feed the Portuguese Laurel Community
- Sub-action C2.2 Selective vegetation control
- Sub-action C2.3 Improvement of habitat structure through targeted plantations
ACTION C3 – Improvement of the Conservation Status of Pontic Rhododendron Effective Areas.
In this action, several management measures will be implemented, divided into sub-actions, which aim to improve the conservation status of existing Pontic Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum subsp. Baeticum) patches belonging to habitat 5230*. This set of field interventions will enable the conservation status of the Life-Relict conservation target habitat to be improved and, at the same time, reduce the risk of fire as this is one of the biggest threats facing the habitat today.
- Sub-action C3.1 Selective vegetation control
- Sub-action C3.2 Improvement of habitat structure through targeted plantations
ACTION C4 – Increase of the Portuguese Laurel habitat area
Through a set of sub-actions, it is intended to significantly expand the areas of occurrence of Portuguese Laurel, promoting its restoration in potential areas of natural occurrence. This action will increase the effective area of habitat occurrence 5230*, which according to the 3rd National Implementation Report of the Habitats Directive (2007-2012) is “unfavorable” in Portugal. From a conservation point of view, this measure is important for P. lusitanica communities, due to the fragmentation, poor representativeness and state of degradation in which they are currently in the Iberian Peninsula, with limited possibilities for expansion.
- Sub-action C4.1 Selective vegetation control
- Sub-action C4.2 Plantation
- Sub-action C4.3 Control of non-invasive alien species
ACTION C5 – Increase in Pontic Rhododendron habitat area
Similar to action C4, this action is intended to significantly expand the areas of occurrence of Pontic Rhododendron, promoting their restoration in potential areas of occurrence, through a set of sub-actions. This action will increase the effective area of habitat occurrence 5230*, which according to the 3rd National Implementation Report of the Habitats Directive (2007-2012) is “unfavorable” in Portugal. From a conservation point of view, this measure is especially important for R. ponticum communities once which, as mentioned in the threats chapter, are at risk due to the alarming inability to install seminal plants.
- Sub-action C.5.1 Selective vegetation control
- Sub-action C5.2 Plantations
- Subaction C5.3 Control of non-invasive alien species
ACTION C6 – Control of invasive alien species
In some areas of intervention of the project there is a surface where two species with great invasive power occur, namely Acacia dealbata and Hakea sericea. Given the threat posed by these nuclei to the preservation of 5230* habitat, this action aims to implement control measures for these invasive alien species.
ACTION C7 – Reduction of fire hazard
This action will make it possible to reduce the risk and speed of the spread of forest fires in areas adjacent to the Habitat nuclei, reducing the likelihood that they will be achieved through a set of sub-actions. Measures will be taken to foster partitioning of the landscape and the creation of buffer areas. This will improve and increase hardwood plant communities which, as is recognized, slow the spread of fire. To achieve this goal, the areas surrounding the habitat will benefit from the following sub-actions:
- Sub-action C7.1 Recovery and cleaning of study area access paths
- Sub-action C7.2 Selective vegetation control
- Sub-action C7.3 Directed Plantations
- Sub-action C7.4 Control of non-invasive alien species
- Sub-Action C7.5 Improvement of the existent chestnut forest
To know the progress of these actions, please click HERE
Life-Relict monitoring actions are fundamental to the project’s good functioning as it allows to evaluate the impact of conservation and awareness actions, as well as to find errors that can be corrected throughout the project.
ACTION D.1 – Monitoring and evaluation of project “C” actions
The effectiveness of project actions will be assessed by monitoring them from pre-implementation to completion.
ACTION D.2 – Monitoring socio-economic impact
This action will provide a better socio-economic understanding of the territories where the 5230 * habitat fits, through an integrated and holistic analysis with a view to assessing the impact on future habitat conservation. On the other hand, it is also essential to monitor the effective impact of environmental awareness and education actions on the Portuguese population.
ACTION D.3 – Monitoring project impact on ecosystem function
This action will evaluate and monitor the role of ecosystems within the project’s intervention areas.
ACTION D.4 – Cost-effectiveness monitoring of project actions
This action intends to make an assessment and balance between the costs and efficiency of the main actions of this project, that is, the concrete conservation actions. This will make it possible to compare the total costs of actions with the total benefits received, as well as to detect and signal behaviors that make management work more efficient.
ACTION D.5 – Monitoring and evaluation of project performance indicators
This is an action that aims to monitor and evaluate a series of performance indicators of the implemented actions. This is an extremely important action, as it contributes clearly and directly to the overall assessment of the impact of this project on both nature conservation, social and economic levels.
To know the progress of these actions, please click HERE
Life-Relict awareness actions aim to disseminate all results to enhance their replication as well as to communicate, raise awareness and boost environmental education in favor of the conservation of these Continental Laurissilva relics.
ACTION E1 – Dissemination of the project to the general public
This action aims to publicize Life-Relict, as well as habitats and RN2000, to the general public. This action is extremely important as it will make local populations, visitors and all those interested in environmental issues aware of the need to preserve this habitat, indirectly contributing to its future preservation. It is expected that this action will change social behaviors and minimize some of the associated threats (such as fire risk, improper collection of copies, among others).
- Sub-action E1.1 Production and maintenance of project website and Facebook page
- Sub-action E1.2 Installation of informative panels on the project
- Sub-action E1.3 Execution of the Layman’s Report
ACTION E2 – Communication and nature tourism
This action includes the dissemination of the project and the promotion of ecotourism. Thus, the various activities will make known the importance of conservation of this type of vegetation, increasing social awareness of the need for its preservation and the historical and natural value they represent. This knowledge is fundamental to instill in society a protective role of its natural values and sense of belonging. It also intends to contribute to the creation of structures and materials to support nature tourism, indispensable for the sustainable socio-economic development of these inland regions.
- Sub-action E2.1 Informative flyers
- Sub-action E2.2 Creation of itinerant exhibitions
- Sub-action E2.3 Implementation of interpretive trails
- Sub-action E2.4 Implementation of media reports
- Sub-action E2.5 Dissemination action during the event “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal”
ACTION E3 – Environmental awareness and education
The correct information and awareness of the population for the conservation of this natural heritage is fundamental for its future preservation. In this sense, Life-Relict foresees the development of actions directed to the school community of the target municipalities, as well as to the local population.
- Sub-action E3.1 Environmental education projects in schools
- Sub-action E3.2 School contest
- Sub-action E3.3 informative sessions
- Sub-action E3.4 Plantations with volunteers
ACTION E4 – Scientific dissemination of the project
The scientific dissemination of the project is fundamental and even essential for the dissemination of the methodologies used and the results obtained so that this action intends to develop various activities that will promote the scientific dissemination of the project.
- Sub-action E4.1 Organization of seminars
- Sub-action E4.2 Organization of technical workshops
- Sub-action E4.3 Representation in national and international seminars and congresses
- Sub-action E4.4 Promotion of talks
- Sub-action E4.5 field Guide
ACTION E5 – Replication Efforts and Networking with Other Projects
This action aims to establish contacts with other national or international projects, as well as with entities that may have an interest in the replication of management measures validated during the present project.
- Sub-action E5.1 Establish a network of contacts with other projects
- Sub-action E5.2 Replication efforts
To know the progress of these actions, please click HERE
The concrete conservation actions of Life-Relict aim to improve the conservation status and ecological function of the Laurissilva Continental relicts. By implementing these conservation actions, it is envisaged to increase the area of habitat occurrence by restoring favorable adjacent areas, reducing the impact of key conservation threats and demonstrating innovative methodologies and approaches to sound management.
ACTION C1 – Collection and Propagation of Vegetative Material
This action aims to collect and propagate the necessary plant material to increase and improve the conservation status of the Life-Relict project’s target habitat areas and will serve for the correct implementation of the following conservation actions. In this sense, seeds of indigenous plants characteristic of these Continental Laurissilva Relict communities will be collected in all areas of intervention of the project.
ACTION C2 – Improvement of the Conservation Status of Portuguese Laurel Effective Areas
In this action, several management measures will be implemented, divided into sub-actions aimed at improving the conservation status of existing Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica subsp. Lusitanica) patches belonging to habitat 5230*. This set of field interventions will enable the conservation status of the Life-Relict conservation target habitat to be improved and, at the same time, reduce the risk of fire as it is one of the biggest threats facing the habitat today.
Sub-action C2.1 Recovery of the water channels that feed the Portuguese Laurel Community
Sub-action C2.2 Selective vegetation control
Sub-action C2.3 Improvement of habitat structure through targeted plantations
ACTION C3 – Improvement of the Conservation Status of Pontic Rhododendron Effective Areas.
In this action, several management measures will be implemented, divided into sub-actions, which aim to improve the conservation status of existing Pontic Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum subsp. Baeticum) patches belonging to habitat 5230*. This set of field interventions will enable the conservation status of the Life-Relict conservation target habitat to be improved and, at the same time, reduce the risk of fire as this is one of the biggest threats facing the habitat today.
Sub-action C3.1 Selective vegetation control
Sub-action C3.2 Improvement of habitat structure through targeted plantations
ACTION C4 – Increase of the Portuguese Laurel habitat area
Through a set of sub-actions, it is intended to significantly expand the areas of occurrence of Portuguese Laurel, promoting its restoration in potential areas of natural occurrence. This action will increase the effective area of habitat occurrence 5230*, which according to the 3rd National Implementation Report of the Habitats Directive (2007-2012) is “unfavorable” in Portugal. From a conservation point of view, this measure is important for P. lusitanica communities, due to the fragmentation, poor representativeness and state of degradation in which they are currently in the Iberian Peninsula, with limited possibilities for expansion.
Sub-action C4.1 Selective vegetation control
Sub-action C4.2 Plantation
Sub-action C4.3 Control of non-invasive alien species
ACTION C5 – Increase in Pontic Rhododendron habitat area
Similar to action C4, this action is intended to significantly expand the areas of occurrence of Pontic Rhododendron, promoting their restoration in potential areas of occurrence, through a set of sub-actions. This action will increase the effective area of habitat occurrence 5230*, which according to the 3rd National Implementation Report of the Habitats Directive (2007-2012) is “unfavorable” in Portugal. From a conservation point of view, this measure is especially important for R. ponticum communities once which, as mentioned in the threats chapter, are at risk due to the alarming inability to install seminal plants.
Sub-action C.5.1 Selective vegetation control
Sub-action C5.2 Plantations
Subaction C5.3 Control of non-invasive alien species
ACTION C6 – Control of invasive alien species
In some areas of intervention of the project there is a surface where two species with great invasive power occur, namely Acacia dealbata and Hakea sericea. Given the threat posed by these nuclei to the preservation of 5230* habitat, this action aims to implement control measures for these invasive alien species.
ACTION C7 – Reduction of fire hazard
This action will make it possible to reduce the risk and speed of the spread of forest fires in areas adjacent to the Habitat nuclei, reducing the likelihood that they will be achieved through a set of sub-actions. Measures will be taken to foster partitioning of the landscape and the creation of buffer areas. This will improve and increase hardwood plant communities which, as is recognized, slow the spread of fire. To achieve this goal, the areas surrounding the habitat will benefit from the following sub-actions:
Sub-action C7.1 Recovery and cleaning of study area access paths
Sub-action C7.2 Selective vegetation control
Sub-action C7.3 Directed Plantations
Sub-action C7.4 Control of non-invasive alien species
Sub-Action C7.5 Improvement of the existent chestnut forest
To know the progress of these actions, please click HERE
Life-Relict monitoring actions are fundamental to the project’s good functioning as it allows to evaluate the impact of conservation and awareness actions, as well as to find errors that can be corrected throughout the project.
ACTION D.1 – Monitoring and evaluation of project “C” actions
The effectiveness of project actions will be assessed by monitoring them from pre-implementation to completion.
ACTION D.2 – Monitoring socio-economic impact
This action will provide a better socio-economic understanding of the territories where the 5230 * habitat fits, through an integrated and holistic analysis with a view to assessing the impact on future habitat conservation. On the other hand, it is also essential to monitor the effective impact of environmental awareness and education actions on the Portuguese population.
ACTION D.3 – Monitoring project impact on ecosystem function
This action will evaluate and monitor the role of ecosystems within the project’s intervention areas.
ACTION D.4 – Cost-effectiveness monitoring of project actions
This action intends to make an assessment and balance between the costs and efficiency of the main actions of this project, that is, the concrete conservation actions. This will make it possible to compare the total costs of actions with the total benefits received, as well as to detect and signal behaviors that make management work more efficient.
ACTION D.5 – Monitoring and evaluation of project performance indicators
This is an action that aims to monitor and evaluate a series of performance indicators of the implemented actions. This is an extremely important action, as it contributes clearly and directly to the overall assessment of the impact of this project on both nature conservation, social and economic levels.
To know the progress of these actions, please click HERE
Life-Relict awareness actions aim to disseminate all results to enhance their replication as well as to communicate, raise awareness and boost environmental education in favor of the conservation of these Continental Laurissilva relics.
ACTION E1 – Dissemination of the project to the general public
This action aims to publicize Life-Relict, as well as habitats and RN2000, to the general public. This action is extremely important as it will make local populations, visitors and all those interested in environmental issues aware of the need to preserve this habitat, indirectly contributing to its future preservation. It is expected that this action will change social behaviors and minimize some of the associated threats (such as fire risk, improper collection of copies, among others).
Sub-action E1.1 Production and maintenance of project website and Facebook page
Sub-action E1.2 Installation of informative panels on the project
Sub-action E1.3 Execution of the Layman’s Report
ACTION E2 – Communication and nature tourism
This action includes the dissemination of the project and the promotion of ecotourism. Thus, the various activities will make known the importance of conservation of this type of vegetation, increasing social awareness of the need for its preservation and the historical and natural value they represent. This knowledge is fundamental to instill in society a protective role of its natural values and sense of belonging. It also intends to contribute to the creation of structures and materials to support nature tourism, indispensable for the sustainable socio-economic development of these inland regions.
Sub-action E2.1 Informative flyers
Sub-action E2.2 Creation of itinerant exhibitions
Sub-action E2.3 Implementation of interpretive trails
Sub-action E2.4 Implementation of media reports
Sub-action E2.5 Dissemination action during the event “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal”
ACTION E3 – Environmental awareness and education
The correct information and awareness of the population for the conservation of this natural heritage is fundamental for its future preservation. In this sense, Life-Relict foresees the development of actions directed to the school community of the target municipalities, as well as to the local population.
Sub-action E3.1 Environmental education projects in schools
Sub-action E3.2 School contest
Sub-action E3.3 informative sessions
Sub-action E3.4 Plantations with volunteers
ACTION E4 – Scientific dissemination of the project
The scientific dissemination of the project is fundamental and even essential for the dissemination of the methodologies used and the results obtained so that this action intends to develop various activities that will promote the scientific dissemination of the project.
Sub-action E4.1 Organization of seminars
Sub-action E4.2 Organization of technical workshops
Sub-action E4.3 Representation in national and international seminars and congresses
Sub-action E4.4 Promotion of talks
Sub-action E4.5 field Guide
ACTION E5 – Replication Efforts and Networking with Other Projects
This action aims to establish contacts with other national or international projects, as well as with entities that may have an interest in the replication of management measures validated during the present project.
Sub-action E5.1 Establish a network of contacts with other projects
Sub-action E5.2 Replication efforts
To know the progress of these actions, please click HERE
