PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
This project targets three mollusc species endemic to Santa Maria Island, in the Azores Archipelago (Portugal), namely: Plutonia angulosa, Oxychilus agostinhoi, and Leptaxis minor . The first two are assessed as Critically Endangered and the third one as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. These species have distinct though overlapping geographical distributions, and face similar threats. All are very dependent on improvements in habitat availability and quality - especially native woods and shrubland, with their underlying bryophytes and ferns. However, these habitats are also under threat due to declining areas and fragmentation (caused by land use change, especially through conversion to commercial forests and agriculture, and increased pressure for conversion to pasture land); quality loss due to Invasive Alien Species (IAS) (especially Hedychium gardnerianum and Pittosporum undulatum, which critically occupy key overlapping areas for distribution of the three species, over about 27 ha). Changes in adequate micro-climatic conditions induced by loss of shadowing conditions and, more recently, climate change effects (especially an increase in drought frequency and duration).are adding further pressure on these species.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE SNAILS project aims to increase habitat quality and quantity to ensure the long-term conservation of the endangered endemic snails (Oxychilus agostinhoi and Leptaxis minor) and the semislug (Plutonia angulosa) on Santa Maria Island, the Azores. To that end, the project will increase availability and reduce fragmentation of suitable habitat, on current/historical areas of the target species distribution, through an inter-connected green infrastructure. They will also improve habitat quality by controlling invasive alien species (IAS) of flora and fauna, restricting cattle access, and setting up nature-based solutions to retain soil moisture and enhance ground cover. These will allow for significant improvement in habitat conditions, which can leverage a medium/long-term increase in distribution area, population size and conservation status. The project team aims to disseminate their results and promote replication/transfer through a range of actions, including with other EU and Macaronesian authorities. A pilot environmental education programme is planned, to raise awareness on biodiversity conservation and the European Green Deal.
The project is in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030; EU Habitats Directive; EU Regulation No 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species; and the Convention on Biological Biodiversity.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Increase of available habitat and decrease of fragmentation, on a “green infrastructure” that is expected to embrace up to 10% of historical distribution of the 3 species (100% of current hotpots), as set by the IUCN;
- Identification of cost-effective and time-effective solutions to increase habitat diversity and quality within at least 27 ha of productive forest areas;
- Improved IAS control protocols to species listed as Macaronesia’s top invaders (including progressive substitution of strata, with minimum disturbance, on Pittosporum undulatum);
- Eradication of mature individuals of Hedychium gardnerianum in 100% of hotspot areas for conservation of snails, as identified by project operational plans;
- Engagement of at least 10 cattle breeders with voluntary practices for increasing habitat and reducing habitat fragmentation, along over 25 200 linear metres of pastureland margins;
- Full operational capacity to rapidly detect and control/suppress new invasions by IAS occurring within the project intervention areas, in force for post-project operation;
- At least 80% of volunteers willing to contribute and repeat the “impact tourism” programmes to which they were engaged;
- Visitors to mobile exhibit gain increased awareness on the relevance of endemic snails;
- One reformulated Official Teaching Programme for over 220 (first cycle) students completed, and disseminated to all Azorean students;
- At least 680 students engaged with non-formal environmental education activities; and
- Approval and delivery of a Transfer and Replication Strategy, encompassing the start of at least one replication of the approach within the project’s timeframe.
