LIFE IP AZORES NATURA | Invasive plant species control in Ponta do Castelo, Santa Maria

April 6, 2021

Within the scope of action C8.1 “Control and eradication of invasive alien species (IAS) of flora in terrestrial habitats” of the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project, the Santa Maria Nature Park team is carrying out the removal of Agave americana and Carpobrotus edulis in the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Ponta do Castelo. It is already evident that after the removal of Carpobrotus edulis, the endemic species Euphorbia azorica is sprouting in large quantities, which is encouraging news regarding the regeneration capacity of the intervened area and its occupation by endemic flora. To date, three interventions have been carried out, accounting for about 800 hours of work by a team of 8 operational assistants. Approximately 85 m³ of green waste has been sent to the waste processing centre, which is estimated to correspond to 10% of the total amount of green waste to be removed from the site.

Find more about the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA in: https://www.lifeazoresnatura.eu/en/

Photos: Rita Câmara | Parque Natural de Santa Maria