| Summary: |
The Mindelo Ornithological Reserve, Portugal, is recognized for its international herpetological value and considered a micro-diversity hotspot for amphibian diversity, hosting 12 of the 22 species found in Portugal, including three Vulnerable Salamandridae species. Ongoing land-use changes in the region might be threatening these populations. Salamanders are highly vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation, and their negative public perception limits the effectiveness of conservation actions. Therefore, there is an urgent need for informed management strategies. To address these challenges, this two-year project aims to integrate population assessments, landscape dynamics studies, science communication activities and participatory planning with stakeholders for salamander conservation in the reserve. Assessing their populations and mapping habitat suitability using satellite imagery will create a baseline dataset to inform conservation strategies. This information will be publicly available through an interactive web-based tool that tracks habitat suitability trends over time and managed by local stakeholders. Science communication activities, including schools and guided night visits, will raise awareness about the importance of salamanders and aim to increase motivation towards conservation. Workshops with local stakeholders (landowners, non-profit organizations, visitors) will allow the delivery of scientific findings to the community, empower local actors and work to co-design strategies to implement science-based conservation measures for salamanders in this region. By bridging the gap between ecological research and field implementation, this project aims to build conservation measures that will serve as a model for amphibian conservation in other landscapes under similar pressure. |