Loading...
Publication
Avaliação do Estado de Conservação da Biodiversidade da Matela - Área Protegida para a Gestão de Habitats ou Espécies da Ilha Terceira: Uma Abordagem Multi-taxa
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.82 MB | Adobe PDF |
Authors
Abstract(s)
As áreas protegidas estão no centro dos compromissos mundiais com a sustentabilidade, como forma de preservar as espécies, em benefício das gerações presentes e futuras. No presente estudo investigou-se a biodiversidade de um fragmento de floresta nativa na ilha Terceira, a Matela (Terra Chã, Angra do Heroísmo). Este pequeno fragmento está classificado como “Área Protegida para a Gestão de Habitats ou Espécies da Matela”, e integra o Parque Natural da Terceira (Açores, Portugal). Localizado a média-baixa altitude (300-400 m) encontra-se visivelmente alterado devido à invasão por espécies de plantas exóticas invasoras. Os objetivos gerais deste trabalho foram os seguintes: (i) listar as espécies de cinco grupos taxonómicos (briófitos, plantas vasculares, artrópodes, aves e mamíferos) para a Matela; (ii) comparar os padrões de diversidade da Matela entre os inventários históricos e uma amostragem realizada em 2022; (iii) avaliar o avanço e os efeitos das espécies invasoras e identificar o declínio das espécies nativas e endémicas dos Açores; (iv) identificar os fatores de risco em curso na Matela e (v) avaliar a necessidade de intervenção na Matela consoante a gravidade do estado de conservação do local. Para responder a estes objetivos, foi feita uma recolha sistemática dos documentos históricos sobre a área, mobilizando também dados de herbário e outros não publicados, tendo sido revistos 48 documentos com dados de biodiversidade. A amostragem em 2022 usou uma adaptação dos protocolos GIMS - A Global Island Monitoring Scheme: para os briófitos foram amostrados nove quadrats de 2 m x 2 m, e recolhidas três amostras (microplots) de 10 cm x 5 cm por substrato, num total de 71 amostras; para as plantas vasculares foram feitos inventários em 72 sub-plots de 5 m x 5 m, além de uma listagem de todas as espécies observadas; para amostragem de artrópodes foi utilizada a metodologia BALA, complementando um conjunto de 30 armadilhas de queda (pitfall traps) para amostrar os artrópodes do solo com batimentos na copa das árvores dominantes (10 amostras por espécie de árvore); além deste protocolo foram ainda utilizadas armadilhas de interceção de voo (SLAM traps) para amostrar artrópodes voadores ou com grande capacidade de dispersão; o recenseamento de aves foi realizado em 25 pontos de observação, sempre entre as 07h00 e as 11h00, aplicando o método do ponto de audição e outras observações; o inventário de mamíferos foi feito utilizando armadilhas fotográficas (camera traps) em 30 pontos de amostragem. Para os briófitos foi possível identificar 77 taxa (45 musgos; 32 hepáticas), sendo 73 indígenas, três indeterminados e um introduzido (Campylopus introflexus) e três espécies triplamente raras (distribuição, abundância e especificidade do habitat). A comparação temporal registou uma diminuição de riqueza. Nas plantas vasculares foram identificados 28 taxa indígenas e 26 exóticos, sendo três espécies triplamente raras. Para os artrópodes, no solo, foram registadas oito taxa indígenas e 25 exóticos verificando-se entre 2002 e 2022, que não foram observadas taxas endémicos e um aumento significativo das espécies introduzidas. Nos artrópodes da copa, identificaram-se 36 taxa indígenas e 18 exóticos. Nos artrópodes capturados nas armadilhas SLAM, registaram-se 24 taxa indígenos e 15 exóticos. No total, foram registados 103 taxa, sete deles classificados como triplamente raros. Foram registados 12 taxa de aves indígenas e um introduzido, verificando-se uma diminuição de taxa, principalmente de espécies exóticas. Uma das aves identificadas é triplamente rara. Nos mamíferos, observaram-se oito taxa exóticos, todos considerados novos registos para a Matela; o anteriormente conhecido morcego, Nyctalus azoreum, único mamífero endémico dos Açores, foi classificado como triplamente raro. Conclui-se que a Matela mantém um património natural muito assinalável, quando comparado com a biodiversidade total da Ilha Terceira. No entanto, as espécies introduzidas e introduzidas invasoras têm uma grande expressão em termos de diversidade e abundância, tendo aumentado substancialmente em quase todos os grupos onde foi possível fazer comparações. O impacto real destas espécies nas comunidades nativas ainda está por esclarecer na sua total dimensão, mas confirma-se a necessidade de enfrentar este problema real para a conservação da natureza nos Açores.
ABSTRACT: Protected areas are at the heart of the world's commitment to sustainability, as a way of preserving species for the benefit of present and future generations. This study investigated the biodiversity of a fragment of native forest on Terceira Island, Matela (Terra Chã, Angra do Heroísmo). This small fragment is classified as a "Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela” and is part of the Terceira Natural Park (Azores, Portugal). Located at medium-low altitude (300-400 m), it is visibly altered due to invasion by invasive exotic plant species. The general objectives of this work were as follows: (i) to list the species of five taxonomic groups (bryophytes, vascular plants, arthropods, birds and mammals) for the Matela; (ii) to compare the diversity patterns of the Matela between historical inventories and a sampling carried out in 2022; (iii) to assess the advance and effects of invasive species and identify the decline of native and endemic species in the Azores; (iv) to identify the ongoing risk factors in Matela and (v) to assess the need for intervention in Matela depending on the severity of the site's conservation status. To meet these objectives, a systematic collection of historical documents about the area was carried out, also mobilizing herbarium data and other unpublished data, and 48 documents with biodiversity data were reviewed. Sampling in 2022 used an adaptation of the GIMS protocols - A Global Island Monitoring Scheme: for bryophytes, nine 2 m x 2 m quadrats were sampled, and three 10 cm x 5 cm samples (microplots) were taken per substrate, for a total of 71 samples; for vascular plants, inventories were made in 72 5 m x 5 m sub-plots, in addition to a list of all the species observed; the BALA methodology was used to sample arthropods, complementing a set of 30 pitfall traps to sample soil arthropods by tapping the crowns of the dominant trees (10 samples per tree species); in addition to this protocol, SLAM traps were also used to sample flying arthropods or those with a high dispersal capacity; the bird census was carried out at 25 observation points, always between 07:00 and 11:00, using the listening point method and other observations; the mammal inventory was carried out using camera traps at 30 sampling points. About bryophytes, it was possible to identify 77 taxa (45 mosses; 32 liverworts), 73 of which are indigenous, three indeterminate and one introduced (Campylopus introflexus) and three species that are triply rare (distribution, abundance and habitat specificity). The temporal comparison showed a decrease in richness. In vascular plants, 28 indigenous and 26 exotic taxa were identified, with three species being triple rare. For arthropods on the ground, eight indigenous taxa and 25 exotics were recorded. Between 2002 and 2022, there were no endemic taxa and a significant increase in introduced species. In canopy arthropods, 36 indigenous and 18 exotic taxa were identified. In the arthropods captured in SLAM traps, 24 indigenous and 15 exotic taxa were recorded. In total, 103 taxa were recorded, seven of them classified as triple rare. Twelve taxa of indigenous birds and one introduced bird were recorded, with a decrease in taxa, mainly of exotic species. One of the birds identified is triple rare. In mammals, there were eight exotic taxa, all considered new records for Matela; the previously known bat, Nyctalus azoreum, the only mammal endemic to the Azores, was classified as triple rare. It can be concluded that Matela maintains a very remarkable natural heritage, when compared to the total biodiversity of Terceira Island. However, introduced and invasive species are very significant in terms of diversity and abundance, having increased substantially in almost all the groups where comparisons could be made. The real impact of these species on native communities has yet to be fully clarified, but the need to tackle this real problem for nature conservation in the Azores is confirmed.
ABSTRACT: Protected areas are at the heart of the world's commitment to sustainability, as a way of preserving species for the benefit of present and future generations. This study investigated the biodiversity of a fragment of native forest on Terceira Island, Matela (Terra Chã, Angra do Heroísmo). This small fragment is classified as a "Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela” and is part of the Terceira Natural Park (Azores, Portugal). Located at medium-low altitude (300-400 m), it is visibly altered due to invasion by invasive exotic plant species. The general objectives of this work were as follows: (i) to list the species of five taxonomic groups (bryophytes, vascular plants, arthropods, birds and mammals) for the Matela; (ii) to compare the diversity patterns of the Matela between historical inventories and a sampling carried out in 2022; (iii) to assess the advance and effects of invasive species and identify the decline of native and endemic species in the Azores; (iv) to identify the ongoing risk factors in Matela and (v) to assess the need for intervention in Matela depending on the severity of the site's conservation status. To meet these objectives, a systematic collection of historical documents about the area was carried out, also mobilizing herbarium data and other unpublished data, and 48 documents with biodiversity data were reviewed. Sampling in 2022 used an adaptation of the GIMS protocols - A Global Island Monitoring Scheme: for bryophytes, nine 2 m x 2 m quadrats were sampled, and three 10 cm x 5 cm samples (microplots) were taken per substrate, for a total of 71 samples; for vascular plants, inventories were made in 72 5 m x 5 m sub-plots, in addition to a list of all the species observed; the BALA methodology was used to sample arthropods, complementing a set of 30 pitfall traps to sample soil arthropods by tapping the crowns of the dominant trees (10 samples per tree species); in addition to this protocol, SLAM traps were also used to sample flying arthropods or those with a high dispersal capacity; the bird census was carried out at 25 observation points, always between 07:00 and 11:00, using the listening point method and other observations; the mammal inventory was carried out using camera traps at 30 sampling points. About bryophytes, it was possible to identify 77 taxa (45 mosses; 32 liverworts), 73 of which are indigenous, three indeterminate and one introduced (Campylopus introflexus) and three species that are triply rare (distribution, abundance and habitat specificity). The temporal comparison showed a decrease in richness. In vascular plants, 28 indigenous and 26 exotic taxa were identified, with three species being triple rare. For arthropods on the ground, eight indigenous taxa and 25 exotics were recorded. Between 2002 and 2022, there were no endemic taxa and a significant increase in introduced species. In canopy arthropods, 36 indigenous and 18 exotic taxa were identified. In the arthropods captured in SLAM traps, 24 indigenous and 15 exotic taxa were recorded. In total, 103 taxa were recorded, seven of them classified as triple rare. Twelve taxa of indigenous birds and one introduced bird were recorded, with a decrease in taxa, mainly of exotic species. One of the birds identified is triple rare. In mammals, there were eight exotic taxa, all considered new records for Matela; the previously known bat, Nyctalus azoreum, the only mammal endemic to the Azores, was classified as triple rare. It can be concluded that Matela maintains a very remarkable natural heritage, when compared to the total biodiversity of Terceira Island. However, introduced and invasive species are very significant in terms of diversity and abundance, having increased substantially in almost all the groups where comparisons could be made. The real impact of these species on native communities has yet to be fully clarified, but the need to tackle this real problem for nature conservation in the Azores is confirmed.
Description
Dissertação de Mestrado, Gestão e Conservação da Natureza, 23 de abril de 2024, Universidade dos Açores.
Keywords
Arthropods Birds Bryophytes Fauna Flora Management GIMS IUCN Terceira Island Natural Park Vascular Plants Rarity Vulnerability
Citation
Sousa, Mariana Aguiar. (2023). "Avaliação do Estado de Conservação da Biodiversidade da Matela - Área Protegida para a Gestão de Habitats ou Espécies da Ilha Terceira: Uma Abordagem Multi-taxa". 149 p. (Dissertação de Mestrado em Gestão e Conservação da Natureza). Angra do Heroísmo: Universidade dos Açores, 2023. Disponível em http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/8598