The Caldeirão intervention area has a size of 99 hectares and is included in the Costa e Caldeirão Special Area for Conservation (PTCOR0001) and in the Costa e Caldeirão Special Protection Area (PTZPE0020). Due to the existence of protected habitats, the Caldeirão is of great ecological importance and conservation interest.
The project’s interventions will take place in priority habitats and in habitats with an unfavourable conservation status within the intervention area (Natura 2000 codes 4050*, 7110*, 7130, and 91D0*), with the aim to restore the bogs and safeguard the species protected by the Habitats Directive.
In order to improve the conservation status of this intervention area, the project is planning:
– Installation of a fence to prevent cattle from accessing the intervention area;
– Selective removal of exotic and invasive species, such as Hydrangea macrophylla (hydrangea);
– Planting of native species that occur naturally in this area (Calluna vulgaris, Juniperus brevifolia, and Vaccinium cylindraceum).