Evolution of land cover in the special area of conservation of Monchique (Southern Portugal): Have the objectives of the Natura 2000 network been achieved (1995–2018)?

Abstract

The Natura 2000 Network, as the European Union's ecological network, aims to ensure the long-term conservation of Europe's most threatened species and habitats, helping to stop the loss of biodiversity. Based on this assumption, the changes in land cover in the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of Monchique between 1995 and 2018 are analysed and related to identify favourable and unfavourable policies concerning the habitats and respective species conservation. The most important land covers are compared with the habitats and species legally protected at the National and European level, as well as the Red List of Vascular Flora of Mainland Portugal. As main results can be highlighted the increase in the forest area occupied by species such as Eucalyptus globulus and Pinus pinaster, and a reduction in the areas of grazing and shrub species. Can also be noted an increase in the areas covered by invasive species, which may be associated with the abandonment of rural areas. We identified 21 taxa with high heritage interest in the Monchique SAC, occurring mainly in forest habitats, namely 91E0, 92A0, 9240, 9330 and 9340, which should be considered in the elaboration of future Territorial Management Plans. Thus, it can be concluded that the objectives initially stipulated by the Natura 2000 Network were not fully achieved within the Monchique SAC. Alternative management methods must be studied to allow conservation in a territory with a high land consolidation and low population density.