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Description
The issue are the main effects of climate change in the region of Baixo Alentejo. The objective of the Intermunicipal Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change of Baixo Alentejo (PIAACBA) is to list several strategic implementation measures to combat and mitigate these changes in the region. In order to contribute to the implementation of measures in this area, the Intermunicipal Community of Baixo Alentejo (CIMBAL) in partnership with the Alqueva Development and Infrastructure Company (EDIA) intends to implement concrete actions in the field, such as conservation of hedges, thickets and trees, restoration of temporary ponds and riparian galleries.
Summary of project results
The activities did not have great acceptance and participation on the part of the recipients, the Manual for the Sustainable Management of Road Sides was prepared with the aim of being used in the future by them, and it is expected that in this way they will apply some of the recommendations contained therein, also, some of the actions were not carried out at the planned time due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they held an online session, where they presented the project, measure 1 in specific and some of the actions to be implemented within the scope of the project. Even thow the ponds to be restored had already been identified based on the survey carried out by partner EDIA. This measure also suffered some delays, due to the dry year that passed, which justified the postponement of some actions.
The project comprised the development of several actions in the following types of intervention: Measure 1 – Conservation of hedges, bushes and arable land. Measure aimed at ecological structures in the middle of the productive area and the creation of biodiversity refuges for threatened species (arables and forests); Measure 2 – Restoration of temporary ponds. This measure aims to restore and manage a network of temporary ponds, which correspond to habitat 3170*, one of the priority habitats in the habitat directive and which has been in sharp decline across the national territory in recent decades; Measure 3 – Restoration of riparian galleries. The restoration of water lines is essential for water conservation, soil preservation and purification of the pollution load from agricultural waters; Measure 4 - Two Workshops with the aim of publicizing the project, its objectives and results; Measure 5 - Awareness campaigns. Despite the difficulties encountered, largely caused by issues related to the project''s focus, climate change, all actions of the five types of intervention were carried out successfully.
The Project will be aimed at ecological structures in the middle of the productive area and the creation of biodiversity refuges for threatened species.The aim is to intervene in a productive area, through the recovery and installation of hedges using the previously mentioned species, in order to provide floristic and faunal diversity that is very interesting for ecosystem services. Considering the presence of a bat shelter in the intervention area, the installation of the hedge will have added value in terms of ecosystem services, providing a corridor between the shelter and the nearest water line.In this action it is estimated that around 2000 plants of 15 different species will be planted, covering around 1km of hedges, in the Municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo.