The LIFE Saramugo Project started the first phase of silt removal in the Vascão riverside with the main objective of improving saramugo's habitat. This work, which took place in October, consisted in the extraction of sediment from the river bed, in order to increase the volume of water available to the fish fauna.
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The Mediterranean streams of the south of Portugal during summer lose their river connectivity and the water is restricted to small pockets of water, of variable size, essential for the survival of the aquatic biodiversity, that takes shelter in these remnants of the river that keep water.
The decrease in the water volume available in these catchments, through the silting of the riverbed, represents a serious threat to the conservation of saramugo. In addition to the obvious decrease in water volume, there is also an increase of fine sediments that favors the proliferation of exotic fish species, another threat to the conservation of saramugo and other native species.
The work was carried out upstream of an old dam, where there is a worsening of the normal deposition of sediments in the river bed, and involved the aid of heavy machinery for the removal of 1050m3 equivalent to 1850 tons of material.
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In a second phase, in the next few rainy months, a densification of the riverside gallery is planned by planting native vegetation, to increase the stability of the banks, and to increase shade and shelter available for the native fish fauna. Next year, it is expected, after winter, to gauge the success of this intervention.
The collaboration of the Union of Parishes of S. Miguel do Pinheiro, S. Pedro de Sólis and S. Sebastião dos Carros, owners and operators of the heavy machinery was essential for the accomplishment of this work, which is very much appreciated.
