Conservation of Macaronesian Sparrowhawk and Laurissilva habitat in Madeira Island

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Macaronesian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus granti) is a subspecies with a distribution area restricted to the Madeira Island and to some islands of the Canary archipelago (Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro). It is a bird of prey from forest environments, this subspecies is dependent on the Macaronesian subtropical laurel forest (Laurissilva). Although there are no accurate data on its current population on the island of Madeira, the population is estimated between 1 000 and 2 500 individuals. In the Canary Islands the population is estimated between 250 and 1 000 pairs. The Macaronesian Sparrowhawk is extremely loyal to the territory, building a new nest each year in a location close to the previous one. Recent changes in habitat have significantly reduced the area of potential nesting of the target species, with wider distribution of invasive exotic plants from nature and fires a particular factor. This means that it is essential to recover areas of laurel forest habitat so as not to compromise the reproductive capacity of the species, and thus its conservation.

OBJECTIVES

Concerning the conservation of Macaronesian Sparrowhawk, the laurel forest (Laurissilva) and its inherent loss of biodiversity, this project had the following objectives:

Reduce the invasive alien plants populations in the laurel forest;

Recover a significant area of burnt laurel forest, including by producing native vegetation in nurseries and providing the correct conditions that allow it to be re-established in a dynamic natural way;

Train and establish a qualified team specialised in controlling invasive alien species;

Implement conservation measures for laurel forest that will contribute to the conservation of the Macaronesian Sparrowhawk and other biodiversity by executing long-term habitat management actions that will ensure the proper functioning of this ecosystem

Improve knowledge about Madeira and Canary population trends of Macaronesian Sparrowhawk and provide essential information about its ecology;

Promote a strong public awareness campaign on conserving the laurel forest habitat and species outlined in the Habitats and Birds Directive Annexes by developing activities in the intervention area and workshops or thematic lectures, and by creating the project logo and mascot, and launching a website, among others actions;

Ensure measures are continued and sustained by engaging with the local/regional administration and the local population, and increasing awareness, so as to change the behaviour amongst stakeholders and the public who have economic and/or traditional links to this environment; and

Create the Executive and Scientific Commissions with a long-term strategy to follow up the management of Laurissilva habitat and Macaronesian Sparrowhawk.

RESULTS

The Life Fura-bardos project accomplished and in some cases surpassed all the proposed objectives. Thanks to preparatory activities, it was possible to study and better understand the ecology and distribution of the Macaronesian Sparrowhawk in the Madeira and Canaries archipelagos, while also preparing detailed field-based conservation actions in the laurel forest habitat. As part of this process, project members drafted size and distribution maps which enabled them to identify threats to conservation of the species. At the end of this field research, an estimated 43 breeding pairs and 250 confirmed pairs were counted in Madeira and the Canaries respectively.

The project targeted 12 invasive alien plant species across about 46.5 hectares in the Assumadouros and Ginjas areas. In order to rebuild the target habitat areas, 36 000 specimens made up of 12 distinct species were planted, while 21 200 specimens were planted in the Terra Chã region. The experience gained from these activities enabled the project to produce a guiding document on how to control invasive species in comparable contexts to Madeira. Specialists from the newly created Executive and Scientific Commission contributed to this guidance, bringing their local knowledge to bear so that methods could be adapted to the target regions.

In the Terra Chã region, the project worked to speed up recovery of habitat affected by forest fires. 36 hectares of laurel forest in Terra Chã which had been destroyed were cleared, and 14 000 specimens of native plant species planted.

As part of conservation activities, 356kg worth of healthy seeds from native species were harvested, resulting in 60 000 native plants being produced.

In order to ensure sustained continuation of the measures taken during the project, an action plan for the species was put together, approved by the relevant regional authorities, and submitted to BirdLife. It was also included in a new Species Action Plan Tracking Tool, a collaborative online platform which provides data about the status, ecology and threats against species. In terms of awareness-raising, the conservation project had a major impact on the region and was widely disseminated through the media. Around 270 actions were carried out in school communities and the wider public.

Other results included:

98 nests being identified, 42 of which were active in the year they were found and 56 inactive;

359 nests found dispersed on five islands in the Canary Islands: 30 in Gran Canaria, 296 in Tenerife, 5 in La Gomera, 18 in La Palma and 10 in El Hierro

Identifying the food habits of the target species in the different areas studied; and

Running lectures, field trips, study visits, workshops, contests and educational games which reached about 10 000 people.

One important reason for the success of the project was that local authorities and tourist agencies were closely involved. These parties helped the project to develop management practices which help sustain local natural values.

Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).