Biodiversity inventory of the Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela (Terceira, Azores, Portugal)
Citation
Sousa M A, Lamelas-López L, Martins B S, Romão J, Roxo J, Elias R B, Gabriel R, Borges P A V (2024). Biodiversity inventory of the Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela (Terceira, Azores, Portugal). Version 1.6. Universidade dos Açores. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/qbj3rd accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-08-24.Description
The database we present include data from different taxonomical groups, as bryophytes, arthropods, vascular plants, birds and mammals, from sampling campaigns performed in 2022, on an Azorean Protected Area – “Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela”, located on Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal). This area is a well-preserved small fragment of native forest, located at medium-low altitude (300-400 m.a.s.l.), which was recently invaded by exotic plant species. The main objectives of this study were (i) provide an updated inventory of bryophytes, vascular plants, arthropods, birds and mammals; and (ii) compare recent sampling data with historical data. The sampling protocol was based on GIMS - A Global Island Monitoring Scheme protocols, where bryophytes were sampled using 2x2quadrats and microplots, vascular plants were sampled using 5x5 sampling-plots, soil and canopy arthropods were sampled using the BALA methodology, complementarily with pitfalls and SLAM traps, birds were sampled using standardized counter points (observations and listening) and mammals were sampled using camera-traps. For bryophytes, we identified 75 taxa (43 mosses; 32 liverworts), 71 of which were indigenous, four indeterminate and one invasive (Campylopus introflexus). The temporal comparison with previous data registered a decrease in richness; however, 23 new species were added to the area. A total of 103 arthropods taxa were identified. For soil arthropods, eight indigenous and 25 introduced taxa were recorded, with the disappearance of endemic taxa and a significant increase in introduced species between 2002 and 2022. A total of 36 indigenous and 18 introduced canopy arthropods taxa were identified. Among the arthropods captured in the SLAM traps, 24 indigenous and 15 introduced taxa were recorded. For vascular plants, 54 species were identified, 28 of which were indigenous taxa and 26 were introduced. From the 54 identified species, 43 were new records for Matela. A total of 12 indigenous and one introduced bird were recorded, decreasing the number of taxa recorded for that area. Finally, eight introduced mammals were recorded, which are considered new records for Matela, and one endemic species (Nyctalus azoreum). Despite Matela harboring numerous native and endemic species, thereby maintaining a highly notable natural heritage, it has recently fallen object to the invasion of introduced species, some of them also invasive. The number of recorded species has substantially increased across almost all groups for which historical data allows comparisons. The genuine impact of these invasive species on native communities remains not fully clarified; nevertheless, the imperative to address this pressing issue for nature conservation in the Azores is unequivocal.Sampling Description
Study Extent
The sampling was performed in 2022 on the “Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela”, located on Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal). This area is a well-preserved small fragment of native forest, located at medium-low altitude (300-400 m.a.s.l.), which was recently invaded by exotic plant species.Sampling
The sampling protocol is based on GIMS - A Global Island Monitoring Scheme protocols (Borges et al. 2018). For bryophytes, nine quadrats of 2 m x 2 m were sampled, and three samples (microplots) of 10 cm x 5 cm per substrate were collected, for a total of 71 samples; For vascular plants, inventories were made in 72 sub-plots measuring 5 m x 5 m, in addition to a list of all observed species; For sampling arthropods, the BALA methodology was used, complementing a set of 30 pitfall traps to sample arthropods from the soil with hits in the canopy of dominant trees (10 samples per tree species); in addition to this protocol, flight interception traps (SLAM traps) were also used to sample flying arthropods or arthropods with great dispersal capacity; the bird census was carried out at 25 observation points, always between 07:00 and 11:00 am, applying the listening point method and other observations; the mammal inventory was carried out using camera traps at 30 sampling points. The historical data was obtained from herbarium and other unpublished data, and through a bibliographic revision (from 1970 to date).Quality Control
All collected specimens were identified or revised by a taxonomical expert.Method steps
- For Bryophytes the final validation was made by Rosalina Gabriel. For arthropods the final validation was made by Paulo A. V. Borges. For Vascular Plants the final validation was made by Rui B. Elias. For Birds and Mammals, the identification was made by Mariana Aguiar Sousa.
Taxonomic Coverages
The following Phylum are covered: Bryophyta, Arthropoda, Marchantiophyta, Magnoliophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Pteridophyta, Pinophyta and Chordata.
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Arthropodacommon name: Arthropods rank: phylum
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Bryophytacommon name: Mosses rank: phylum
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Marchantiophytacommon name: Liverworts rank: phylum
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Magnoliophytacommon name: Vascular Plants rank: phylum
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Lycopodiophytacommon name: Clubmosses rank: phylum
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Pteridophytacommon name: Ferns rank: phylum
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Pinophytacommon name: Gymnosperms rank: phylum
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Chordatacommon name: Chordates
Geographic Coverages
Matela (Latitude: 38°41'59"N, Longitude: 27°15'40"W) is located at low-medium altitude (300-400 m.a.s.l.) inland of Terceira Island, the third biggest island of the Azorean archipelago (about 400 km2).
Bibliographic Citations
- Borges, P. A. V., Cardoso, P., Kreft, H., Whittaker, R. J., Fattorini, S., Emerson, B. C., Gil, A., Gillespie, R. G., Matthews, T. J., Santos, A. M. C., Steinbauer, M. J., Thébaud, C., Ah-Peng, C., Amorim, I. R., Aranda, S. C., Arroz, A. M., Azevedo, J. M. N., Boieiro, M., Borda-de-Água, L., … Gabriel, R. (2018). Global Island Monitoring Scheme (GIMS): a proposal for the long-term coordinated survey and monitoring of native island forest biota. Biodiversity and conservation, 27(10), 2567-25 - DOI: 10.1007/s10531-018-1553-7
- Câmara Municipal de Angra do Heroísmo. (2007). Restauro ecológico da Área Protegida da Matela. Angra do Heroísmo. CMAH -
- Elias, R.B., Gil, A., Silva, L., Fernández-Palacios, J.M., Azevedo, E.B. & Reis, F. (2016) Natural zonal vegetation of the Azores Islands: characterization and potential distribution. Phytocoenologia, 46(2), 107-123 - DOI: 10.1127/phyto/2016/0132
Contacts
Mariana Aguiar Sousaoriginator
position: Researcher
Mestrado em Gestão e Conservação da Natureza, University of the Azores
Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
email: marianasousa@outlook.com
Lucas Lamelas-López
originator
position: Researcher
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
email: lucaslamelaslopez@gmail.com
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2230-7033
Bruna Sousa Martins
originator
position: Researcher
Mestrado em Gestão e Conservação da Natureza, University of the Azores
Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
email: bruna.s.martins@outlook.pt
Joana Romão
originator
position: Researcher
Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra
Bencanta Campus
Coimbra
3045-601
PT
Joana Roxo
originator
position: Researcher
University of the Azores
Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
Rui B. Elias
originator
position: Associate Professor
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
email: rui.mp.elias@uac.pt
homepage: https://gba.uac.pt/member/rui-miguel-pires-bento-da-silva-elias
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2397-2438
Rosalina Gabriel
originator
position: Associate Professor
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
email: rosalina.ma.gabriel@uac.pt
homepage: https://www.cienciavitae.pt/pt/F212-6D82-7BA9
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3550-8010
Paulo A. V. Borges
originator
position: Associate Professor
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
Telephone: +351968933212
email: paulo.av.borges@uac.pt
homepage: https://www.cienciavitae.pt/en/FA1A-C9CB-9C29
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8448-7623
Paulo A. V. Borges
metadata author
position: Associate Professor
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
Telephone: +351968933212
email: paulo.av.borges@uac.pt
homepage: https://www.cienciavitae.pt/en/FA1A-C9CB-9C29
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8448-7623
Paulo A. V. Borges
user
position: Associate Professor
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
Telephone: +351968933212
email: paulo.av.borges@uac.pt
homepage: https://www.cienciavitae.pt/en/FA1A-C9CB-9C29
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8448-7623
Paulo A. V. Borges
administrative point of contact
position: Associate Professor
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute
School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
Angra do Heroísmo
9700-042
Azores
PT
Telephone: +351968933212
email: paulo.av.borges@uac.pt
homepage: https://www.cienciavitae.pt/en/FA1A-C9CB-9C29
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8448-7623