As part of the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project, the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA), associated beneficiary, installed in November a system to monitor the water dynamics of the peatlands in Planalto dos Graminhais, São Miguel island, with the purpose of monitoring and evaluating the ecological restoration of this intervention area.

From the data obtained, it will be possible to understand how the water dynamics of the peatbog works, allowing us to assess the effects of the recovery of waterlines.

This monitoring system consists of three stations positioned in the peatland with sensors that collect rainfall, temperature and water level data. The stations, powered by solar energy, operate remotely and collect data every hour, sending them to a storage server. Thus, avoids regular visits to the area and promoting better restoration of the peatlands that do not suffer negatively from constant trampling.

The next step will be installing a sensor in the channel of one of the waterlines that will collect water flow data. So, it will be possible to compare the data already obtained referring to the situation prior to the ecological restoration interventions planned by LIFE IP AZORES NATURA for this area, allowing to achieve information on the hydrological evolution of the habitat and the waterline throughout the entire process of restoration and after its conclusion.