PLANT DIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN HIKING TRAILS LOCATED IN SITES OF COMMUNITY IMPORTANCE (SCI) AT THE ISLANDS OF FLORES AND SAO MIGUEL (AÇORES - PORTUGAL)

Abstract

The present paper joins efforts with the conservation of protected areas, which present important aspects associated with preservation, mainly vulnerability issues due to human actions. The aim of this work is to evaluate and characterize the extant plant biodiversity, to define the abundance and richness of species, as well as the footpaths over passing the reserve areas of Lagoa do Fogo (São Miguel island), Morro Alto and Costa Nordeste (Flores island) – Azores; and to evaluate the condition of the rails regarding the existence or not of environmental impacts, arising from visitors or from other activities (e.g. agriculture, use of motor vehicles) developed in the region. Eight trails were sampled, being six from São Miguel island and two from Flores island, as well as the abundance and coverage of endemic plant species, native and introduced, and information regarding the soil conditions (erosion, water logging), vegetation, vulnerability issues and safety of rails (signaling, muddy) was registered. The results point to the need of control and management measures for the developed activities, these being crucial to identify the types of impacts that are caused more frequently.