As part of action C3.2 – In-situ conservation of the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project, a team from São Miguel Environment and Climate Change Service (SAAC) planted six specimens of Azorean Spurge (Euphorbia stygiana) in Lagoa do Fogo in October.

The seeds were collected by Park Rangers from the only known population of Euphorbia stygiana on São Miguel and propagated in the Pomar das Furnas. The planting site, on a protected slope on the shore of the lake, was chosen to create a new population of this species, which is protected by the Habitats Directive and whose conservation status is considered unfavourable-inadequate.

The plants have been marked with individual identifiers so that São Miguel SAAC can monitor the survival and growth of these specimens. Fortunately, there are few invasive species in the plantation area, which reduces the maintenance effort needed to ensure the success of this plantation.

The recent monitoring of a plantation of Azorean Buckthorn (Frangula azorica), Azorean Holly (Ilex perado subsp. azorica) and Azorean Cherry (Prunus azoricus), carried out between May and June 2023 in the project’s area of intervention, revealed that 100% of the plants survived.

The LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project is coordinated by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change.