The saramugo population of SCI Moura-Barrancos is in the Ardila sub-basin which covers the Safareja, Murtigão and Murtega streams. The greatest threat to the conservation of this species in this sub-basin is overgrazing (including watering on the waterlines), with the consequent degradation of water quality and loss of riparian vegetation mainly by trampling.
Among the tributaries of Ardila, the Murtigão stream is one of the places where there is greater pressure from livestock farms on the riverside ecosystem. As a result there are several situations of high degradation of the riparian gallery, where the tree extract is practically nonexistent, the herbaceous very deficient while the shrub is overwhelmingly composed of Flueggea tinctoria.
To minimize this threat the LIFE Saramugo Project has proposed to plant specimens of riparian species typical of the saramugo habitat such as: Nerium oleander, Tamarix sp., Myrtus communis, Rosa canina, Fraxinus sp. and Salix sp..
Following the intervention already carried out in the spring of 2018, in the Coutada dos Frades estate, it was now possible to carry out two further planting actions on the banks of Murtigão. Thus, last fall, 206 specimens of native riverine species were planted in a section bordering the Baldio do Rabo do Coelho estate, and with the onset of winter another 206 specimens were planted in a section located in the Contenda estate.
Figuras 1 e 2 - Plantações no Baldio do Rabo do Coelho
In total, between rooted plants and cuttings, 868 plant specimens were placed in about 1,000 meters on the banks of Murtigão, occupying about 13,400 m2. To ensure the success of these interventions, protectors were placed on all specimens on the ground.
In the medium to long term, these interventions will contribute to the improvement of the saramugo habitat by promoting both shade and water quality, especially during summer when pools form and water is a scarce resource.
