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Threats to the biodiversity of Serra da Estrela

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Threats to the biodiversity of Serra da Estrela

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The unique biodiversity of Serra da Estrela is threatened by several factors, including invasive alien species, forest fires, and altering/ artificialization of its natural water courses, e. g. for hydroelectric purposes. In the upper level, touristic pressure on the environment (more notably, the presence of a ski resort in Torre, the Serra's highermost plateau) as well as illegal collecting of endangered species of flora are especially impactful on local wildlife.
Human populations have drastically changed the Serra's natural habitat over the centuries through many different means. However, I could find no evidence of wildlife overexploitation.

Below: Covão dos Conchos, a man-made hole in Ribeira das Naves that acts as a spillway, releasing water into Lagoa Comprida

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Every year, starting in late Fall and usually ending with the arrival of Spring, Serra da Estrela is covered in snow. As the highest mountain peak in Portugal, it's one of the few places in the country where it actually snows during Winter. Oftentimes, the severity of the occasional blizzard is enough to close roads, especially those that access the higher altitudes.
Due to climate change, it is expected that snowfall will become much less regular; however, predictions also point towards extreme phenomena like blizzards becoming more and more frequent through time.

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As is the case of much of the Portuguese territory, Serra da Estrela has been affected by forest fires over the years. The Serra itself lies within a region with a very high risk of forest fires. Most of the times, the fires that ravage through the natural park did not start inside its area but have spread from outside. Wildfires have already profoundly altered the local landscape and biodiversity, the most flagrant example being the complete absence of an arboreal cover on the upper level.
Forest fires are usually an integral part of any Mediterranean ecosystem, and local species of flora have adapted to resist its effects and quickly repopulate after a fire. However these wildfires have been increasing in frequency due to land use changes resulting from rural depopulation - rural areas are abandoned leading to fuel accumulation - as well as climate change - warmer temperatures and less rainfall propiciate fire risk and spread.

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Acacia - invasive plant species in Serra da Estrela

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Acacia - invasive plant species in Serra da Estrela

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Several species of fast-growing trees and shrubs from the genus Acacia, the most infamous being Acacia dealbata (commonly known as "mimosa"), have consistently been gaining ground against native plants such as Festuca henriquesii, particularly in forest areas that have been affected by wildfires and habitat degradation. They also hold an advantage on the Serra's native species in the face of climate change: rising temperatures are reducing the available area where the mountain-dwelling species adapted to colder climates can thrive, allowing the invasive plant originally from Southeastern Australia - and thus more suited to warmer conditions - to further proliferate.

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Asian hornet - an invasive animal species

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Asian hornet - an invasive animal species

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Another very dangerous invasive species in Portuguese territory is the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina). Originating from the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, the insect was first introduced in Europe in 2004, arriving in France from cargo shipments, and quickly spread from there. It reached Spain in 2010, and was first sighted in Portugal in 2011. It has since been expanding its distribution. It is not only damaging to the environment, as it feeds opportunistically on several species of insects including the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), but also dangerous to human populations due to its highly aggressive temper and large size.
According to the latest data from ICNF (Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, a government body responsible for managing nature and forest policies), the most recent sightings of Asian hornets in Serra da Estrela were in January 2019.

Below: a map of Asian hornet sightings and nest records in Central Portugal, from the public platform SOS Vespa

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Several species of flora and fauna from Serra da Estrela appear in the IUCN Red List, with conservation statuses ranging from Least Concern (for instance, Fermin's glandular cricket, Petaloptila fermini), Vulnerable (the flowering plant Armeria sampaioi), Endangered (Lusitanian pygmy wart-biter, Ctenodecticus lusitanicus, a species of katydid), to even Data Deficient (as is the case of the endemic Centaurea rothmalerana).

Below: part of the IUCN page concerning the Iberian rock lizard (Iberolacerta monticola). Note the single area of distribution within Portugal, coinciding with Serra da Estrela

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More on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: assessing the native plant Festuca henriquesii

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More on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: assessing the native plant Festuca henriquesii

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The importance of mountainous areas for local endemisms

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The importance of mountainous areas for local endemisms

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Mountainous areas are 'islands' of colder climates within warmer regions. These 'islands' are very interesting in terms of biodiversity, allowing for several endemic species of flora, many of them characteristic to those areas. The rise in temperatures may lead to some of those species no longer having conditions to live there.

- Paulo Alves, PRECOL (Predictive Ecology), CIBIO-InBIO

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This was an interesting task! I wasn't familiar with working with Padlet, so this was a refreshing experience. I enjoyed writing about Serra da Estrela, and I hope you liked learning about it as well.
I think everyone used the tools at their disposal creatively and managed to share about their BioAreas in engaging ways.
I'd also like to thank the organizers and participants in this online course for this wonderful experience!

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Leave a comment with one of the following descriptions:

1. Your BioArea needs some elaboration and enrichment.

2. Your BioArea is looking good.

3. Your BioArea is looking excellent!

Thank you for reading!