The distribution and naturalness of peatland on Terceira Island (Azores): instruments to define priority areas for conservation and restoration

Abstract

The study reported here used spatial analysis to assess the effectiveness of the legal nature protection framework in supporting the conservation of peatlands on Terceira Island (Azores archipelago, Portugal) and identify potential improvements. Terceira has 3011 ha of peatland, of which 44 % is forested. Bogs and fens account for 14 % and 3 % of this area, respectively, while 39 % has been classified as degraded peatland. Overall, 46 % of the peatland is still in natural condition and 80 % of this is concentrated in two ‘wild’ areas known as Santa Barbara and Pico Alto, which are separated by an intervening expanse of land with mainly disturbed mires. Most of the peatland lies within a Natural Park (82 %) and a Special Conservation Area (SCA; 67 %). The wildest peatland (70 %) is in Ramsar and public forestry areas. A management zonation to define priority areas for protection and restoration is proposed. This includes three reserve areas and six buffer areas, in which controlled management to inhibit potential direct impacts on the wildest peatland should be implemented. This model includes a corridor between the two major reserves to promote connectivity. Nowadays the local extent of peatland is less than the potential area. Moreover, an assessment of peatland condition indicates a need for development of strategies to conserve wild peatland and implement restoration to improve the naturalness of disturbed peatland, as well as the ecological connectivity between the two major mire-rich natural protected areas on the island.

Keywords

• cartography
• classification
• natural park
• peatland management zonation model
• public areas
• ramsar
• special conservation area (sca)