PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Habitat loss - particularly of those habitats crucial for feeding and reproduction - is one of the greatest threats to most at-risk species. One of the consequences of the loss and deterioration of the Mediterranean scrubland habitat in south-east Portugal is a lack of adequate and undisturbed areas for the critically endangered species, the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) and black vulture (Aegypius monachus). It was therefore of the utmost importance to implement actions to promote the conditions needed by these species. Actions should encourage and facilitate short-term settlement, the establishment of new breeding populations and extensions of range. This should help increase numbers and reduce the risk of extinction. The regions of Moura/Barrancos, Vale do Guadiana and Caldeirão - all Natura 2000 network sites - showed enormous potential in terms of the necessary conditions for the presence of the two target species in Portugal. However, several threats to these species were very much in evidence in these areas. These included habitat loss, scarcity of prey, lack of suitable conditions for reproduction, human disturbance and disease.
OBJECTIVES
The Habitat Lince Abutre project?s main goal was to enhance and maintain Mediterranean habitats in south-east Portugal to provide suitable conditions for the existence of the Iberian lynx and the black vulture, thus improving their conservation status. Both species were considered ?critically endangered? in Portugal, with habitat loss and fragmentation (i.e. of the typical Mediterranean landscape) and food scarcity (namely, of wild rabbit) being two of the main reasons for this.
Specific project objectives were to:
RESULTS
Despite some constraints, the Habitat Lince Abutre project accomplished most of its objectives, and for some specific tasks, it exceeded expected results. In carrying out the project, the beneficiary and partners also played an important role in promoting the Natura 2000 network among local people and stakeholders in the project area, who initially showed some distrust on this issue. Key project deliverables were a ?regional action plan for the black vulture?, a ?poison mitigation plan? and a ?technical guide for the licensing and operation of feeding stations for scavenger birds in Portugal?. These documents are considered important tools for the streamlining of procedures and promotion of the conservation of the black vulture and Iberian lynx. The implementation of the different tasks enabled improved conservation conditions for both species, and provided sustainable and replicable examples of good management practices of the Mediterranean landscape. Importantly, at project end, the beneficiary reported the successful breeding of two pairs of black vultures in artificial nests installed during the project. After more than forty years without confirmed reproduction of the black vulture in the area (south of the Tagus river) this was a major coup for the project.
Through implementation of the project's habitat management and restoration actions, it contributed to the strengthening of important populations of the Iberian lynx and black vultures in the project region. It thus, contributed directly to the implementation of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, the EU Biodiversity strategy 2020 and national policy linked to Natura 2000 site management.
Regarding the conservation and restoration of the Mediterranean landscape, after selecting priority areas for works, 28 management agreements were made with landowners/hunting managers/olive growers. These enabled conservation measures and adequate management of the Mediterranean landscape to be extended over more than 18 000 ha. In addition, approx. 56 ha of ecological corridors were created in extremely important areas for the Iberian lynx in the Adiça-Ficalho Mountains, in the municipalities of Moura and Serpa. This included compensation payments for loss of income.
Concerning the actions in the field, among other tasks, eight artificial dens were created for Iberian lynx and 30 artificial nests installed for black vultures. To increase food availability, for Iberian lynx, several management measures for promoting the principal food source, wild rabbit, were established e.g. construction of (10) electrified fences, improvements of (a total of 25 ha) of pastures, and construction of (3) protection enclosures and improvements to a breeding enclosure for rabbits in (6) identified estates/hunting areas. To aid the black vulture and other scavenger birds, a first network of feeding stations in southern Portugal was established, and regularly supplied with suitable foodstuffs.
All the conservation measures implemented under the project were monitored, with the results used to define two methodology protocols, one for black vulture conservation measures and the other for remaining conservation actions.
Finally, all the planned awareness- raising and dissemination actions were carried out successfully. In general, thanks to the communication tools such as the website, project publications and information events, the positive media coverage ? notably with the establishment of the first confirmation of the success of the black vulture breeding ? and involvement of locals in practical works, some of the early opposition and negative views about the Natura 2000 network and the project?s conservation goals, were overcome.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
