Field trip #1 – River Sado freshwater and coastal vegetation

This field trip will combine ecological and cultural highlights in the downstream area of the Sado river basin, located southern Lisbon and around 1 hour distance by car. The area is protected under Natura 2000 Network (ZPE Açude da Murta PTZPE0012 and ZPE Estuário do Sado PTZPE0011 under Birds Directive; ZEC Comporta/Costa da Galé PTCON0034 under Habitats Directive); and includes one Ramsar site (7PT007 Estuário do Sado).

We will begin our field trip by crossing the 25th of April Bridge over the Tagus River. The itinerary includes visiting representative spots of the tidal marsh vegetation communities dominated by halophyte plants (e.g. Sarcocornia spp., Spartina spp.), the freshwater wetland forests dominated by hygrophyllous plants (e.g. Salix atrocinerea, Thelypteris palustris), and dune communities rich in several endemic species (e.g. Juniperus navicularis, Thymus capitellatus, Armeria rouyana).

During the journey we will visit Carrasqueira, a small village besides the tidal marshes. This location includes the Palaphytic port (https://cm-alcacerdosal.pt/locais/cais-palafitico-da-carrasqueira/?lang=en), a traditional port constructed with wood that allows access and storage of tools of the fishermen into the tidal marsh area for the culture of bivalves farming such as clams and oyster, and some of the remaining traditional marsh houses with the traditional vegetal roofs cover (made with Scirpus lacustris/ Schoenoplectus lacustris). The journey will also include visit to the beach of Comporta (https://www.visitportugal.com/pt-pt/content/praia-da-comporta).

This is a one-day trip and lunch are included for participants.

Field trip #2 – Paul da Goucha, a restored old lowland peatland

Just an hour's drive from Lisbon, this field trip takes you to a rare and unique old lowland peatland in central Portugal. Over time, the area has undergone hydrological changes, degradation, and, more recently, restoration efforts. An area of 140 hectares has been recently designated as Local Nature Reserve and is home to one of the largest Salix atrocinerea forests in the Iberian Peninsula. It also features the 91E0 natural habitat, characterized by species such as the Iberian alder (Alnus lusitanica) and the ash (Fraxinus angustifolia). What makes Paul da Goucha unique, lies beneath its soil, as in some areas we can find an exquisite 9-meter-thick layer of peat. The itinerary includes visits to key sites within freshwater wetland forests dominated by emergent plants such as Typha latifolia, Phragmites australis, Iris pseudacorus, and Carex species. It also features two restoration projects, one established 20 years ago and another currently in progress. You'll explore various restoration techniques and methods while discovering how this rare habitat persists in such southern regions of Europe.

We will start the day by visiting the Casa dos Patudos (‘Web-footed House’), which was once a typical Portuguese manor house of the republican and diplomat José Relvas (who bequeathed his entire estate to the Alpiarça municipality, including an area of the Nature Reserve), Santarém district. The field visit will begin at a viewpoint with a panoramic view of the entire reserve and the restoration project areas developed under Ripidurable (Interreg Europe) and REWET (Horizon Europe; https://www.rewet-he.eu). There will also be time to explore some trails in the restored area.

This is a one-day trip and lunch are included for participants.