Restoration of Mediterranean temporary ponds in Portugal: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

pressures, such as deep soil turning, drainage, flattening the surface topography or transformation into permanent reservoirs for irrigation. These pressures, along with land-use abandonment and climate change effect decreases habitat conservation status: Being MTPconservation of major importance in Europe, this strong decline in habitat area and quality is most worrying. LIFE Charcos project meant to preserve this MTP in the Southwest Coast of Portugal. Most relevant actions included updating habitat cartography, the development of a practical tool to access habitat conservation status, grazing management, invasive vegetation removal, pond restoration, plant species and communities’ enhancement with local seeds and plant propagules. The recovery, in terms of the topographic profile of the basin, is challenging and had to be carried out having in mind specifically the characteristic water regime (hydroperiod) recovery. This habitat, and its biodiversity are strongly dependent on annual rain and experience a flood/dissection cycle. We carried out the physical replacement of pond basin topography, invasive vegetation control and plant communities’ enhancement. The restoration results are positive, with a reinforcement of the spatial differentiation of the floristic communities and the increase of characteristic/indicator plant species. Regarding the control of invasive species (Acacia sp. and Carpobrotus edulis) the results were encouraging, since the removal of the vegetal mass allows the germination of the characteristic small annual species. This habitat typical alternation of ecological conditions represents also an opportunity. The annual species and the ones that have dormancy mechanisms are more resilient and present higher recovery rates. The annual dynamics represent a great advantage to monitor action success and consequently adjust recovery actions on annual basis.