Bio-Ilhas

Bio-Ilhas is a project that aims to recover degraded environments of salt pans and salt marshes in the Eastern Algarve, more precisely between Olhão and Faro, and to promote the conservation of biodiversity through the implementation of artificial islands in saline tanks and WWTP lagoons.

At the same time, actions to requalify the marsh vegetation will be carried out in areas where it is extremely degraded or damaged. Weekly monitoring of birds using the study area will be carried out, as well as scientific ringing campaigns, in order to assess the use of the islands by the target species. Finally, pedagogical actions aimed at local communities and schools will also be promoted, as well as those involved in socio-economic activities in the areas to be intervened.

The project intends to implement a series of artificial islands that are attractive for bird species to nest. With the installation of these islands, and the requalification of degraded salt marshes, it will help to establish populations of breeding birds, some with populations in decline in Europe, such as the Little tern (Sternula albifrons), Collared pratincole (Glareola pratincola), Pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) and the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), among others. It will also contribute to the establishment of winter roosts for a number of bird species, including waders.