LIFE IP AZORES NATURA reinforces the population of rare endemic species on Pico

July 9, 2024

As part of Action C3.2 "Implementation of work for the conservation of endemic flora: In-situ conservation", the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project, in collaboration with the Pico Environment and Climate Change Service, reinforced a population of the Chaerophyllum azoricum species on the island of Pico, more specifically in the Cova do Caldeirão area.

Chaerophylum azoricum is a plant from the Apiaceae family, endemic to the Azores and classified by the Habitats Directive as having a poor conservation status. This plant can only be found on São Miguel, São Jorge, Pico and Flores islands. Due to its rarity and importance for preserving biodiversity, the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project is working to maintain and strengthen populations of this species on the islands where it occurs. This work begins with collecting seeds from existing populations, which are then sent to the nurseries of the Faial Botanical Garden, where the individuals that will later reinforce these populations are produced.