During the entire month of May, we had the opportunity to carry out the first spring samplings in 40 plots scattered across the landscape of Herdade da Coitadinha (HC) in Barrancos, Portugal. These plots were selected to compose an experimental restoration zone consisting of 8 treatments, each replicated 5 times, according to the following criteria: i) locations with high and low potential for natural regeneration (based on Potential Solar Radiation (PSR)); ii) locations with low and high tree density; iii) locations without grazing and with high grazing intensity.
This time, we conducted the following samplings: i) herbaceous and shrub vegetation sampling to determine plant abundance and diversity using the "point and line-intercept" method, with data collection along 3 transects of 20 meters per plot; ii) sampling of pollinating insects by the method of a 100m transect per plot, to determine their abundance and diversity; iii) sampling of birds by the point-counts method, to also determine bird abundance and diversity; iv) collection of herbaceous biomass using 0.3x0.3-meter quadrates; v) sampling of natural regeneration of oak trees by counting and measuring regenerating individuals within 20mx2m strips; vi) collection of soil samples for composition and structure analysis in partnership with the IPB (Polytechnic Institute of Bragança) and, also for genetic analysis of decomposers; vii) decomposition of litter (the surface layer of organic matter) using the Tea Bag Index method. In this technique, tea bags are buried in the soil and retrieved after approximately 5 months for analysis. Additionally, we initiated the administration of questionnaires to tourists to assess their appreciation for landscapes similar to those that will result from the pilot restoration trial at Herdade da Coitadinha. This initiative is an integral part of the ERASMUS exchange student Magdalena Lesh's master's project.
The main objective of these samplings is to evaluate the impact of restoration measures on the provision of Ecosystem Services (ES) related to Regulation, Provisioning, and Cultural aspects, such as livestock feed, forest life cycle, biodiversity, pollination and seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and social perception of restored landscapes, among others.
We hope that the collected data promises exciting results for science and also provides useful information to practitioners. We believe that these findings will contribute to nature conservation and the development of sustainable practices in rural environments.
Spring sampling carried out by the Land Under Pressure team at Herdade da Coitadinha in Barrancos, Portugal. a) Preparation of tea bags for field deployment; b) Herbaceous sampling using the point-intercept method; c) Soil sample collection; d) Biomass collection within a 0.3m x 0.3m square.