Biodiversity Data Journal : Data Paper (Biosciences)
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Data Paper (Biosciences)
A multitaxa approach to biodiversity inventory in Matela protected area (Terceira, Azores, Portugal)
expand article infoMariana A. Sousa‡, Lucas Lamelas-López§, Rui B. Elias§, Rosalina Gabriel§, Paulo A. V. Borges§,|,
‡ Mestrado em Gestão e Conservação da Natureza, University of the Azores Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze 9700-042, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
§ cE3c- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze, 9700-042, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
| IUCN SSC Atlantic Islands Invertebrate Specialist Group, 9700-042, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
¶ IUCN SSC Species Monitoring Specialist Group, 9700-042, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
Corresponding author: Paulo A. V. Borges (paulo.av.borges@uac.pt)
Academic editor: Pedro Cardoso
Received: 28 Feb 2024 | Accepted: 28 Mar 2024 | Published: 08 Apr 2024
© 2024 Mariana Sousa, Lucas Lamelas-López, Rui Elias, Rosalina Gabriel, Paulo Borges
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Sousa MA, Lamelas-López L, Elias RB, Gabriel R, Borges PAV (2024) A multitaxa approach to biodiversity inventory in Matela protected area (Terceira, Azores, Portugal). Biodiversity Data Journal 12: e121884. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.12.e121884
 Open Access

Abstract

Background

This manuscript is the first contribution of the project, “Matela – uma ilha de biodiversidade” (“Matela - an island of biodiversity”), that aims to restore the native vegetation within the Azorean Protected Area of the Terceira Island Nature Park known as the "Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela" (TER08), situated on Terceira Island, the Azores Archipelago, Portugal. This small fragment of native forest, positioned at a low-medium altitude (300-400 m a.s.l.), is facing some conservation impacts as a consequence of the spread of different invasive exotic plant species, mainly Pittosporum undulatum, Rubus ulmifolius and Hedychium gardnerianum. The database we present encompasses diverse taxonomic groups, including bryophytes, vascular plants, arthropods, birds and mammals. It is derived from intensive sampling campaigns conducted in 2022, but some data from a previous vascular plant survey in 2015 were also included. The objective of this study was to provide an updated inventory of bryophytes, vascular plants, arthropods, birds and mammals within this protected area. In this way we are providing the reference conditions necessary for the monitoring of the impacts of the current ongoing restoration efforts within the project “Matela - an island of biodiversity”. Whenever feasible, the present inventory is juxtaposed with historical data from previous surveys conducted in Matela.

New information

In the realm of bryophytes, our analysis revealed the presence of 75 taxa, comprising 44 mosses and 32 liverworts. Amongst these, 71 were indigenous, while three remained indeterminate and one, Campylopus introflexus, was identified as invasive. A comparison with previous historical data revealed a decrease in species richness, which was partially counterbalanced by the discovery of 23 new recorded species in the area.

Regarding vascular plants, we distinguished 54 species, comprising 28 indigenous and 26 introduced taxa. Almost 80% of the inventoried species (n = 43) were newly documented in Matela.

The study of arthropods encompassed a total of 103 taxa. Within the realm of soil arthropods, we documented eight indigenous and 25 introduced taxa, witnessing the disappearance of endemic species alongside a substantial increase in introduced ones between 2002 and 2022. Canopy arthropods, totalling 36 indigenous and 18 introduced taxa, exhibited few changes when compared with data from 2002. SLAM traps captured 24 indigenous and 15 introduced arthropod taxa and no historical data are available for comparison.

As for avian species, we noted 12 indigenous birds and one introduced species, confirming the presence of most of the historical recorded native species.

The mammalian census revealed eight introduced species, setting new precedents for Matela, alongside the identification of one endemic species: the Azorean endemic bat Nyctalus azoreum.

Keywords

bryophytes, vascular plants, arthropods, birds, mammals, endemic species, introduced species, historical data, protected areas, Azores

Introduction

The primary threats to biodiversity include biological invasions, climate change and habitat transformation and loss (e.g. Bellard et al. (2022)), all of which with dramatic impacts on native biota and ecosystems, profoundly altering ecological dynamics. The escalating magnitude of these threats has emerged as a paramount concern for scientists and conservation organisations, as highlighted by some seminal works (e.g. Simberloff et al. (2013), Bellard et al. (2016)), particularly on islands (Hanski 2016).

Protected areas play a central role in global commitments to sustainability and biodiversity conservation (Mulongoy and Chape 2004, Gaston et al. 2008). These areas were established to conserve ecosystems of recognised value, encompassing both fauna and flora, including habitats of high rarity and integrity (Mulongoy and Chape 2004, Gaston et al. 2008), harbouring complex communities of native and endemic species, acting as natural buffers against climate change and functioning as genetic reservoirs, fulfilling numerous other roles (e.g. Mulongoy and Chape (2004)). In this sense, several studies have been developed to evaluate the best species distribution models, under current and future climate conditions and to assess the effectiveness of protected areas to represent biodiversity (e.g. Ferreira et al. (2016), Vergílio et al. (2016), Silva et al. (2017), Ferreira et al. (2019)).

There are recommendations from the scientific community and government entities to increase the surface area of protected areas worldwide from 10-12% of the total surface of the planet (Gaston et al. 2008), to close to 50% (Wilson 2016 - Half-Earth Project). For instance, the European Union's Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to transform at least 30% of Europe's land and seas into effectively managed protected areas, complementing the Natura 2000 network areas (European-Commission 2021).

Conserving biodiversity poses distinct challenges in ecologically sensitive regions such as islands (Borges et al. 2018), where endemism rates are high and species often exhibit low abundance or occupy extremely restricted areas. For example, in the Azores Archipelago, native biodiversity is particularly vulnerable to the spread of invasive species (Hortal et al. 2010, Lourenço et al. 2011), habitat fragmentation (Vergílio et al. 2016) or climate change impacts (Ferreira et al. 2016, Patiño et al. 2016).

Since the 1980s, the Azorean government established protected areas for biodiversity conservation, encompassing terrestrial habitats, coastal zones and mountain areas, as well as a considerable number of protected habitats, such as coastal shrubland, heathlands and Laurissilva forests. The Azores Protected Areas Network includes nine Island Natural Parks (one for each island), with a total of 124 protected areas, comprising 19 Natural Reserves, 11 Natural Monuments, 48 Protected Areas for Habitat or Species Management, 16 Protected Landscape Areas and 30 Protected Areas for Resource Management (Regional-Directorate-for-the-Environment 2020). This accounts for a total of 180,374 hectares of protected areas, equivalent to approximately 21% of the terrestrial area of the Archipelago. Of this, 56,219 hectares are terrestrial, while 124,155 hectares are marine (Regional-Directorate-for-the-Environment 2020).

Specifically, on Terceira Island, the Natural Park currently comprises 20 protected areas, including three Natural Reserves, two Natural Monuments, seven Protected Areas for Habitat or Species Management, one Protected Landscape Area and seven Protected Areas for Resource Management (Regional Legislative Decree No. 11/2011/A; April 20). The protected terrestrial areas cover 8,561.11 hectares, representing 21.37% of the territory (Regional-Directorate-for-the-Environment 2020). In 2011, Matela Forest, located on an ancient lava flow, was designated as a Protected Area for Habitat or Species Management given that its natural values, high biodiversity indices and representation in terms of flora (Regional Legislative Decree No. 11/2011/A; April 20). The vegetation of Matela can be classified as sub-montane forest, usually dominated by Laurus azorica (Azorean Laurel forests) that, in the past, probably covered more than two-thirds of the Azorean islands, from 300 m to 600 a.s.l. (Elias et al. 2016). For example, Matela Forest represents a "hotspot" of species, exhibiting a high specific richness for bryophytes, including globally threatened species, such as the moss Echinodium renauldii (Cardot) Broth. (Gabriel 1994) and could serve as a natural refuge to potentially aiding in the recolonisation of neighbouring areas (Gabriel 1994, Lloret and González-Mancebo 2011). On the leaves of laurel trees and fern fronds, it is possible to observe communities of small liverworts, including the species Cololejeunea sintenisii (Steph.) Pócs, equally threatened with extinction according to IUCN Criteria (González Mancebo et al. 2019). In Suppl. material 1, we list 88 species of bryophytes historically recorded for Matela.

For those visiting the area, it is impressive to observe the presence of large specimens of Azores juniper (Juniperus brevifolia (Hochst. ex Seub.) Antoine subsp. brevifolia), the only endemic gymnosperm species in the Azores and one of the most important in structuring native forests. A preliminary dendrochronological analysis (Elias, unpublished data) suggests that these trees are likely over 150 years old (see Suppl. material 2 for the listing of the 42 species of vascular plants already referenced for Matela).

Based on historical data (2002 sampling - see Pozsgai et al. (2024) - and other sources), it is worth highlighting the presence of a significant number of endemic arthropod species (about 23 species; Suppl. material 3), including eight species of spiders, which represent 60% of the known endemic species on Terceira Island (Canariphantes acoreensis (Wunderlich, 1992); Savigniorrhipis acoreensis Wunderlich, 1992; Emblyna acoreensis Wunderlich, 1992; Gibbaranea occidentalis Wunderlich, 1989; Lasaeola oceanica Simon, 1883; Leucognatha acoreensis Wunderlich, 1992; Pardosa acorensis Simon, 1883; Rugathodes acoreensis Wunderlich, 1992) with the first three being classified as vulnerable by IUCN Criteria. Amongst the beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera), four relatively rare endemic species mentioned in literature stand out, all classified as endangered by IUCN, namely: Athous azoricus Platia & Gudenzi, 2002; Atlantocis gillerforsi Israelson, 1986; Drouetius borgesi borgesi Machado, 2009; and Pseudechinosoma nodosum Hustache, 1936.

Amongst mammals, the endemic bat Nyctalus azoreum (Thomas, 1901) can be observed in Matela, a diurnal insectivorous species considered Vulnerable by the IUCN. Nine species of native birds are reported for the area, including the endemic subspecies of goldcrest, Regulus regulus inermis (Murphy & Chapin, 1929) and the Azores chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs moreletti (Pucheran, 1859) (see Suppl. material 4).

Unfortunately, in recent years, Matela has been invaded by a high number of introduced species, possibly due to its low-altitude location, proximity to pasturelands and being a small fragment of natural vegetation with a high perimeter/area ratio, intersected by communication routes (Borges et al. 2006). These conditions may have severe consequences at the local scale, as well as for Azorean biodiversity conservation (Borges et al. 2005).

General description

Purpose: 

The main objectives of this study were: (i) provide an updated inventory of bryophytes, vascular plants, arthropods, birds and mammals within this protected area; ii) when possible, to provide some comparisons with historical data on surveys of Matela.

Project description

Title: 

Multitaxa Inventory of Matela (Terceira, Azores, Portugal) - Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species.

Personnel: 

Fieldwork (site selection and experimental setting): Rosalina Gabriel (Bryophytes); Rui B. Elias (Vascular Plants); Paulo A. V. Borges (Arthropods) & Mariana Sousa (Vertebrates).

Fieldwork (authorisation): Azorean Minister of Environment (Lic 46/2022/DRAAC) and Azorean Minister of Science and Technology (CCPI 28/2022/DRCT).

Fieldwork (sample collection): Bryophytes (Mariana Sousa, Bruna Martins & Rosalina Gabriel); Vascular Plants (Mariana Sousa, Joana Romão, Joana Roxo, Bruna Martins & Rui B. Elias); Arthropods (Mariana Sousa & Paulo A.V. Borges); Vertebrates (Mariana Sousa, Bruna Martins & Lucas Lamelas-López).

Parataxonomists: Bryophytes (Mariana Sousa); Vascular Plants (Joana Romão, Joana Roxo & Mariana Sousa); Arthropods (Mariana Sousa & Abrão Leite); Vertebrates (Bruna Martins & Mariana Sousa).

Taxonomist: Rosalina Gabriel (Bryophytes); Rui B. Elias (Vascular Plants); Paulo A. V. Borges (Arthropods) & Mariana Sousa (Vertebrates).

Voucher specimen management: Bryophytes (Mariana Sousa & Rosalina Gabriel); Arthropods (Mariana Sousa & Abrão Leite).

Database management: Mariana Sousa, Rosalina Gabriel, Paulo A. V. Borges & Rui B. Elias.

Darwin Core databases management: Lucas Lamelas-López, Rosalina Gabriel & Paulo A. V. Borges.

Study area description: 

Matela (Latitude: 38°41'59"N, Longitude: 27°15'40"W) is located at low-medium altitude (300-400 m a.s.l.) inland of Terceira Island (Fig. 1), the third largest island of the Azorean Archipelago (about 400 km2). Matela is included in the Natural Park of Terceira Island and is considered a Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species (Regional Legislative Decree nº 11/2011/A, of 20 April 2011). It has a total area of 220,530 m2 and, although the main habitat comprises natural forests, mainly dominated by Erica azorica Hochst. ex Seub. or Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco, it also includes small patches of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D.Don) plantations and semi-natural pastures (Elias et al. 2016).

a
b
c
d
Figure 1.

Location of Matela (Credit: Enésima Pereira).

a: Location of Azores in North Atlantic.  
b: The nine Azorean Islands (COR -Corvo; FLO - Flores; FAI - Faial; PIC - Pico; SJG - São Jorge; GRA - Graciosa; TER -Terceira; SMG - São Miguel; SMR - Santa Maria). Terceira is marked in black.  
c: The Island of Terceira with all the protected areas and location of Matela protected area (TER08).  
d: The location of Matela with an arrow locating the main sampling area.  
Design description: 

The sampling protocol was carried out in 2022 and it is based on GIMS - A Global Island Monitoring Scheme protocols (Borges et al. 2018) (see more details below).

The historical data were obtained from herbarium and other unpublished data and through a bibliographic revision (from 1970 to date) (see list of main sources in Suppl. material 5). Particularly for the bryophytes, data come from the study of Gabriel and Bates (2005). More detailed data from arthropods sampled in 2020 can be consulted in Pozsgai et al. (2024).

Funding: 

FCT-UIDB/00329/2020-2024 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/00329/2020); Azores DRCT Pluriannual Funding (M1.1.A/FUNC.UI&D/010/2021-2024); Viridia – Conservation In Action Contract “Matela – uma ilha de biodiversidade”.

Sampling methods

Description: 

Most sampling was performed in 2022 on the “Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela”, located on Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal). This area is the unique available small fragment of native forest located at a low-medium altitude (300-400 m a.s.l.). Unfortunately, this small fragment was recently invaded by exotic invasive plant species.

Sampling description: 

The sampling protocol is based on GIMS - A Global Island Monitoring Scheme protocols (Borges et al. 2018).

For bryophytes, in the summer of 2022, three quadrats of 2 m × 2 m were sampled in three habitats: native forest, grassland and a former eucalyptus plantation; in each quadrat, three samples (microplots) of 10 cm × 5 cm were collected per substrate type, tottaling 71 samples with bryophytes. For vascular plants, inventories were made in 72 sub-plots measuring 5 m × 5 m, in addition to a list of all observed species. Sampling mostly occurred in the autumn of 2022, but some data from a previous vascular plant survey in spring 2015 were also included.

For sampling arthropods, in the summer of 2022, the BALA methodology was used (Borges et al. 2005, Borges et al. 2018): 30 pitfall traps were set to sample soil arthropods and the canopy of the dominant tree species (Juniperus bervifolia, Erica azorica, Laurus azorica, Pittosporum undulatum) was beaten to collect plant-associated arthropods (10 samples per tree species); in addition to this protocol, one flight interception trap (SLAM - Sea, Land, Air, Malaise traps) (Fig. 2) was also used to sample flying arthropods or arthropods with great dispersal capacity. This SLAM trap has been operating since 2019 (see Borges et al. (2022a)), but the sample used for the current study was the sample from the summer of 2022.

Figure 2.  

SLAM trap (Sea, Land, Air, Malaise trap) (Credit: Paulo A. V. Borges).

The bird census was carried out at 25 observation points, always between 07:00 and 11:00 am during the summer and autumn 2022, applying the listening point method and other observations. The mammal inventory was carried out using camera traps at 30 sampling points also during the summer and autumn 2022. All the details of the sites can be consulted in the event table in GBIF (Sousa et al. 2024).

Quality control: 

All collected specimens were identified or revised by a taxonomical expert.

Step description: 

For Bryophytes, the final validation was made by Rosalina Gabriel. For Vascular Plants, the final validation was made by Rui B. Elias. For arthropods, the final validation was made by Paulo A. V. Borges. For Birds and Mammals, the identification was made by Mariana Sousa.

The nomenclature and colonisation status of species follows the most updated information available in the AZORESBIOPORTAL (https://azoresbioportal.uac.pt/). For arthropods, this information is also available in the last published checklist (Borges et al. 2022b).

Geographic coverage

Description: 

The study was conducted on the Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela, Terceira Island, Azores, (Portugal).

Coordinates: 

38.700538 and 38.69533 Latitude; -27.26478 and -2725338 Longitude.

Taxonomic coverage

Description: 

We have covered several taxonomic groups, namely mosses and liverworts (Bryophyta, Marchantiophyta), vascular plants (Magnoliophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Pteridophyta, Pinophyta), arthropods (Arthropoda) and vertebrates (Chordata).

Taxa included:
Rank Scientific Name Common Name
phylum Bryophyta Mosses
phylum Marchantiophyta Liverworts
phylum Lycopodiophyta Ferns and alies
phylum Pteridophyta Ferns
phylum Pinophyta Conifers
phylum Magnoliophyta Flowering plants
phylum Arthropoda Arthropods
phylum Chordata Birds and mammals

Temporal coverage

Notes: 

01-07-2015 - 15-11-2022

Collection data

Collection name: 
AZU_Section Bryophytes; AZU_Section Vascular Plants; Dalberto Teixeira Pombo (Arthropods)
Collection identifier: 
AZU (Bryophytes and Vascular Plants); DTP (Arthropods)
Specimen preservation method: 
Dry (Bryophytes and Vascular Plants); Ethanol 96% (Arthropods).
Curatorial unit: 
Curator: Rosalina Gabriel (Bryophytes); Rui B. Elias (Vascular Plants); Paulo A. V. Borges (Arthropods).

Usage licence

Usage licence: 
Creative Commons Public Domain Waiver (CC-Zero)

Data resources

Data package title: 
Biodiversity inventory of the Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela (Terceira, Azores, Portugal)
Resource link: 
https://doi.org/10.15468/qbj3rd
Alternative identifiers: 
http://ipt.gbif.pt/ipt/resource?r=matela_project; https://www.gbif.org/dataset/30ff08cc-4913-4564-a84c-734b040b9380
Number of data sets: 
2
Data set name: 
Event Table
Character set: 
UTF-8
Download URL: 
http://ipt.gbif.pt/ipt/resource?r=matela_project
Data format: 
Darwin Core Archive format
Data format version: 
1.5
Description: 

The dataset was published in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility platform, GBIF (Sousa et al. 2024). The following data table includes all the records for which a taxonomic identification of the species was possible. The dataset submitted to GBIF is structured as a sample event dataset that has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwCA), which is a standardised format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data file contains 269 records (eventID). This GBIF IPT (Integrated Publishing Toolkit, Version 2.5.6) archives the data and, thus, serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the Portuguese GBIF Portal IPT (Sousa et al. 2024).

Column label Column description
eventID Identifier of the events, unique for the dataset.
locationID Identifier of the location.
stateProvince Name of the region of the sampling site (Azores).
islandGroup Name of archipelago (Azores).
island Name of the island (Terceira).
country Country of the sampling site (Portugal).
countryCode ISO code of the country of the sampling site (PT).
municipality Municipality of the sampling sites (Angra do Heroísmo).
minimumElevationInMetres The lower limit of the range of elevation (altitude, usually above sea level), in metres.
decimalLongitude Approximate centre point decimal longitude of the field site in GPS coordinates.
decimalLatitude Approximate centre point decimal latitude of the field site in GPS coordinates.
geodeticDatum The ellipsoid, geodetic datum or spatial reference system (SRS), upon which the geographic coordinates given in decimalLatitude and decimalLongitude are based.
coordinateUncertaintyInMetres Uncertainty of the coordinates of the centre of the sampling plot.
coordinatePrecision Precision of the coordinates.
georeferenceSources A list (concatenated and separated) of maps, gazetteers or other resources used to georeference the Location, described specifically enough to allow anyone in the future to use the same resources.
locality Name of the locality.
habitat The habitat of the sample.
day Day of the event.
month Month of the event.
year Year of the event.
eventDate Date or date range the record was collected.
sampleSizeValue The numeric amount of time spent in each sampling.
sampleSizeUnit The unit of the sample size value.
verbatimEventDate The verbatim original representation of the date and time information for an Event. In this case, we use the season and year.
samplingProtocol The sampling protocol used to capture the species.
Data set name: 
Occurrence Table
Character set: 
UTF-8
Download URL: 
http://ipt.gbif.pt/ipt/resource?r=matela_project
Data format: 
Darwin Core Archive format
Data format version: 
1.5
Description: 

The dataset was published in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility platform, GBIF (Sousa et al. 2024). The following data table includes all the records for which a taxonomic identification of the species was possible. The dataset submitted to GBIF is structured as an occurrence table that has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwCA), which is a standardised format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data file contains 1801 records (occurrenceID). This GBIF IPT (Integrated Publishing Toolkit, Version 2.5.6) archives the data and, thus, serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the Portuguese GBIF Portal IPT (Sousa et al. 2024).

Column label Column description
eventID Identifier of the events, unique for the dataset.
type Type of the record, as defined by the Public Core standard.
licence Reference to the licence under which the record is published.
institutionID The identity of the institution publishing the data.
collectionID The identity of the collection publishing the data.
institutionCode The code of the institution publishing the data.
collectionCode The code of the collection where the specimens are conserved.
basisOfRecord The nature of the data record.
occurrenceID Identifier of the record, coded as a global unique identifier.
organismQuantity A number or enumeration value for the quantity of organisms.
organismQuantityType The type of quantification system used for the quantity of organisms. For bryophytes, we used the Braun Blanquet Scale.
sex The sex and quantity of the individuals captured.
lifeStage The life stage of the organisms captured.
establishmentMeans The process of establishment of the species in the location, using a controlled vocabulary: 'native', 'introduced', 'endemic', "indeterminate".
dynamicProperties Additional information about the process of the establishment of the species.
recordedBy A list (concatenated and separated) of names of people, groups or organisations who performed the sampling in the field.
identifiedBy A list (concatenated and separated) of names of people, groups or organisations who assigned the Taxon to the subject.
dateIdentified The date on which the subject was determined as representing the Taxon.
kingdom Kingdom name.
phylum Phylum name.
class Class name.
order Order name.
family Family name.
genus Genus name.
scientificName Species name.
specificEpithet Specific epithet.
infraspecificEpithet Infraspecific epithet.
scientificNameAuthorship Name of the author of the lowest taxon rank included in the record.
taxonRank Lowest taxonomic rank of the record.
identificationRemarks Information about arthropod morphospecies identification (code in Dalberto Teixeira Pombo Collection).

Additional information

Results

Overall two kindgoms, six phyla, 14 classes, 58 orders and 254 taxa are listed. A total of 46 species are endemic distributed as follows: bryophytes - 4; vascular plants - 15; arthropods - 17; vertebrates - 10.

In the community of bryophytes, we recorded a total of 75 taxa, comprising 43 mosses and 32 liverworts. Amongst these, 71 were indigenous, while three remained indeterminate and one, Campylopus introflexus, was identified as invasive (Table 1). The most frenquent species in the plots were the liverworts Frullania acicularis Hentschel & von Konrat (n = 26) and Heteroscyphus denticulatus (Mitt.) Schiffn. (n = 26). A temporal comparison with previous data (Suppl. material 1) unveiled a decrease in richness, offset by the addition of 23 new species to the area.

Table 1.
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Inventory of bryophytes collected in 2022 on the Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela, (Natural Park of Terceira Island, Azores), including taxonomical information (Phylum, Class, Order and Species names), colonisation status (C.S.) (END - endemic from Azores; NAT - native non-endemic; INT - introduced species; IND - indeterminate origin) and number of plots where the species occurs (Plots). (Note: In the Occurrence Table, we used the Braun Blanquet Scale to determine the species abundance).

Phylum Class Order Species

C.S.

 Plots
Bryophyta Bryopsida Bryales Bryum ruderale Crundw. & Nyholm NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Bryales Ptychostomum bornholmense (Wink. & R.Ruthe) Holyoak & N.Pedersen IND 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Bryales Plagiomnium undulatum (Hedw.) T.J.Kop. NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Dicranum flagellare Hedw. NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Dicranum scottianum Turner NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. subsp. purpureus NAT 2
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Fissidens asplenioides Hedw. NAT 5
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Fissidens serrulatus Brid. NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Fissidens taxifolius Hedw. NAT 4
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Campylopus flexuosus (Hedw.) Brid. NAT 17
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Campylopus introflexus (Hedw.) Brid. INT 3
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Campylopus pilifer Brid. NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Campylopus pyriformis (Schultz) Brid. NAT 4
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Leucobryum glaucum (Hedw.) Ångstr. NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Dicranales Leucobryum juniperoideum (Brid.) Müll.Hal. NAT 12
Bryophyta Bryopsida Grimmiales Grimmia lisae De Not. NAT 6
Bryophyta Bryopsida Grimmiales Ptychomitrium nigrescens (Kunze) Wijk & Margad. NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Grimmiales Ptychomitrium polyphyllum (Dicks. ex Sw.) Bruch & Schimp. NAT 3
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hookeriales Tetrastichium virens (Cardot) S.P.Churchill NAT 11
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Isothecium prolixum (Mitt.) M.Stech, Sim-Sim, Tangney & D.Quandt NAT 12
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Pseudotaxiphyllum laetevirens (Dixon & Luisier ex F.Koppe & Düll) Hedenäs NAT 2
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Brachytheciastrum velutinum (Hedw.) Ignatov & Huttunen NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Brachythecium sp. IND 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp. NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Brachythecium salebrosum (Hoffm. ex F.Weber & D.Mohr) Schimp. NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Kindbergia praelonga (Hedw.) Ochyra NAT 20
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Pseudoscleropodium purum (Hedw.) M.Fleisch. NAT 5
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Rhynchostegiella azorica Hedenäs & Vanderp. END 2
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Rhynchostegium confertum (Dicks.) Schimp. NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Sciuro-hypnum populeum (Hedw.) Ignatov & Huttunen NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Echinodium renauldii (Cardot) Broth. END 2
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. var cupressiforme NAT 18
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Hypnum uncinulatum Jur. NAT 18
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Heterocladium flaccidum (Schimp.) A.J.E.Sm. NAT 7
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Andoa berthelotiana (Mont.) Ochyra NAT 13
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Myurium hochstetteri (Schimp.) Kindb. NAT 2
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Exsertotheca intermedia (Brid.) S.Olsson, Enroth & D.Quandt NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Thamnobryum alopecurum (Hedw.) Gangulee NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Thamnobryum maderense (Kindb.) Hedenäs NAT 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Thamnobryum rudolphianum Mastracci END 1
Bryophyta Bryopsida Hypnales Thuidium tamariscinum (Hedw.) Schimp. NAT 10
Bryophyta Polytrichopsida Polytrichales Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P.Beauv. NAT 3
Bryophyta Polytrichopsida Polytrichales Polytrichum commune Hedw. NAT 2
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Fuscocephaloziopsis crassifolia (Lindenb. & Gottsche) Váňa & L.Söderstr. NAT 1
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Odontoschisma sphagni (Dicks.) Dumort. NAT 4
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Geocalyx graveolens (Schrad.) Nees NAT 1
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Telaranea europaea J.J.Engel & G.L.Merr. NAT 4
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Heteroscyphus denticulatus (Mitt.) Schiffn. NAT 26
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Lophocolea sp. IND 2
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Lophocolea fragrans (Moris & De Not.) Gottsche, Lindenb. & Nees NAT 8
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Lophocolea heterophylla (Schrad.) Dumort. NAT 2
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Plagiochila bifaria (Sw.) Lindenb. NAT 3
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Plagiochila exigua (Taylor) Taylor NAT 3
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Saccogyna viticulosa (L.) Dumort. NAT 21
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Scapania gracilis Lindb. NAT 3
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniales Scapania nemorea (L.) Grolle NAT 6
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Jungermanniopsida Acrobolbus azoricus (Grolle & Perss.) Briscoe END 3
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Metzgeriales Metzgeria furcata (L.) Corda NAT 1
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Frullania acicularis Hentschel & von Konrat NAT 26
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Frullania microphylla (Gottsche) Pearson NAT 7
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Frullania teneriffae (F.Weber) Nees NAT 1
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Cololejeunea sintenisii (Steph.) Pócs NAT 6
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Harpalejeunea molleri (Steph.) Grolle NAT 8
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Lejeunea cavifolia (Ehrh.) Lindb. NAT 8
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Lejeunea eckloniana Lindenb. NAT 5
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Lejeunea flava subsp. moorei (Lindb.) R.M.Schust. NAT 1
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Lejeunea hibernica Bischl., H.A.Mill. & Bonner ex Grolle NAT 1
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Lejeunea lamacerina (Steph.) Schiffn. NAT 18
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Lejeunea patens Lindb. NAT 1
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Marchesinia mackaii (Hook.) Gray NAT 9
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Myriocoleopsis minutissima (Sm.) R.L.Zhu, Y.Yu & Pócs NAT 1
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Porella canariensis (F.Weber) Underw. NAT 2
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Porella obtusata (Taylor) Trevis. NAT 3
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Radula carringtonii J.B.Jack NAT 11
Marchantiophyta Jungermanniopsida Porellales Radula wichurae Steph. NAT 3

Concerning vascular plants, we identified 54 species, with 28 being indigenous and 26 introduced (Table 2). The most frequent species in plots were the endemic fern Dryopteris azorica (Christ) Alston (n = 64) and the endemic tree Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco (n = 63). However, several exotic invasive species are also very frequent, namely Pittosporum undulatum Vent. (n = 54), Rubus ulmifolius Schott (n = 49) and Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker-Gawl. (n = 43). Of the 54, a remarkable 43 were newly recorded for Matela (see historical records in Suppl. material 2).

Table 2.
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Inventory of vascular plants collected between 2015 and 2022, on the Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela, (Natural Park of Terceira Island, Azores), including taxonomical information (Kindgom, Phylum, Class, Order and Species names), colonisation status (END - endemic from Azores; NAT - native non-endemic; INT - introduced species; IND - indeterminate origin) and number of plots where the species occurs (Plots). (Note: In the Occurrence Table, we used the Braun Blanquet Scale to determine the species abundance).

Phylum Class Order Species C.E. N
Lycopodiophyta Selaginellopsida Selaginellales Selaginella kraussiana (Kunze) A.Braun NAT 28
Magnoliophyta Liliopsida Alismatales Zantedeschia aethiopica Spreng. INT 1
Magnoliophyta Liliopsida Asparagales Ruscus aculeatus L. INT 9
Magnoliophyta Liliopsida Liliales Smilax aspera L. INT 1
Magnoliophyta Liliopsida Zingiberales Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker-Gawl. INT 43
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Apiales Hedera azorica Carrière END 6
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Apiales Pittosporum undulatum Vent. INT 54
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Aquifoliales Ilex azorica Gand. END 3
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Asterales Erigeron canadensis L. INT 3
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Asterales Roldana petasitis (Sims) H.Rob. & Brettell INT 1
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Caryophyllales Persicaria capitata (Buch.-Ham. Ex D.Don) H.Gross INT 4
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Caryophyllales Phytolacca americana L. INT 4
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Ericales Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull NAT 1
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Ericales Erica azorica Hochst. ex Seub. END 46
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Ericales Lysimachia arvensis (L.) U.Manns & Anderb. subsp. arvensis INT 2
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Ericales Lysimachia azorica Hornem. ex Hook. END 30
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Ericales Myrsine retusa Aiton END 5
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Ericales Vaccinium cylindraceum Sm. END 1
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Fabales Lotus pedunculatus Cav. INT 2
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Fabales Morella faya (Aiton) Wilbur NAT 1
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Fabales Quercus robur L. INT 1
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Fabales Trifolium repens L. INT 1
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Gentianales Rubia agostinhoi Dansereau & P.Silva END 2
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Gentianales Vinca difformis Pourr. INT 2
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Lamiales Digitalis purpurea L. INT 4
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Lamiales Halleria lucida L. INT 12
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Lamiales Marrubium vulgare L. INT 2
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Lamiales Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. INT 5
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Lamiales Picconia azorica (Tutin) Knobl. END 9
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Lamiales Plantago lanceolata L. INT 2
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Laurales Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco END 63
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Myrtales Eucalyptus globulus Labill. INT 4
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Myrtales Psidium cattleyanum Sabine INT 1
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Rosales Fragaria vesca L. NAT 3
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Rosales Frangula azorica Grubov END 4
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Rosales Rubus ulmifolius Schott INT 49
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Saxifragales Umbilicus rupestris (Salisb.) Dandy NAT 4
Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Solanales Solanum mauritianum Scop. INT 2
Pinophyta Pinopsida Pinales Cryptomeria japonica D.Don INT 6
Pinophyta Pinopsida Pinales Juniperus brevifolia (Hochst. ex Seub.) Antoine subsp. brevifolia END 2
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Cyatheales Sphaeropteris cooperi (F. Muell.) R.M.Tryon INT 4
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Hymenophyllales Hymenophyllum tunbrigense (L.) Sm. NAT 11
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Hymenophyllales Vandenboschia speciosa (Willd.) G.Kunkel NAT 1
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Polypodiales Asplenium azoricum (Milde) Lovis, Rasbach & Reichst. END 7
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Polypodiales Asplenium scolopendrium L. NAT 25
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Polypodiales Doodia caudata (Cav.) R.Br. INT 2
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Polypodiales Dryopteris aemula (Aiton) Kuntze NAT 14
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Polypodiales Dryopteris affinis (Lowe) Fraser-Jenk. NAT 10
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Polypodiales Dryopteris azorica (Christ) Alston END 64
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Polypodiales Dryopteris crispifolia Rasbach, Reichst. & Vida END 2
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Polypodiales Polypodium macaronesicum subsp. azoricum (Vasc.) Rumsey, Carine & Robba END 16
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Polypodiales Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn NAT 23
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Polypodiales Pteris incompleta Cav. NAT 11
Pteridophyta Polypodiopsida Polypodiales Struthiopteris spicant (L.) Weis NAT 6

The study of arthropods encompassed a total of 103 taxa (Table 3). The most abundant species were the introduced Stelidota geminata (Say, 1825) (Insecta, Coleoptera; n = 935) and the native Lasius grandis Forel, 1909 (Insecta, Hymenoptera; n = 263). Within the community of soil arthropods, we documented eight indigenous and 25 introduced taxa, witnessing the disappearance of endemic species alongside a substantial increase in introduced ones between 2002 and 2022 (see Suppl. material 3). Canopy arthropods, totalling 36 indigenous and 18 introduced taxa, exhibited a similar trend in the increase of introduced species but not in the loss of endemic species. SLAM traps captured 24 indigenous and 15 introduced arthropod taxa.

Table 3.
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Arthropod inventory collected in 2022, on the Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela, (Natural Park of Terceira Island, Azores), including taxonomical information (Kindgom, Phylum, Class, Order and Species names), colonisation status (C.S.) (END - endemic from Azores; NAT - native non-endemic; INT - introduced species; IND - indeterminate origin) and overall abundance data (N) (Note: only taxa identified at species level are included).

Phylum Class Order Species C.S. N
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Cheiracanthium erraticum (Walckenaer, 1802) INT 58
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Clubiona terrestris Westring, 1851 INT 4
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Cryptachaea blattea (Urquhart, 1886) INT 2
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Dysdera crocata C.L.Koch, 1838 INT 1
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Emblyna acoreensis Wunderlich, 1992 END 65
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Entelecara schmitzi Kulczynski, 1905 NAT 6
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Erigone atra Blackwall, 1833 INT 1
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Gibbaranea occidentalis Wunderlich, 1989 END 18
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Lathys dentichelis (Simon, 1883) NAT 177
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Leucognatha acoreensis Wunderlich, 1992 END 1
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Macaroeris cata (Blackwall, 1867) NAT 32
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Macaroeris diligens (Blackwall, 1867) NAT 13
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Mangora acalypha (Walckenaer, 1802) INT 2
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Metellina merianae (Scopoli, 1763) INT 1
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Nigma puella (Simon, 1870) INT 2
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Palliduphantes schmitzi (Kulczynski, 1899) NAT 50
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Pelecopsis parallela (Wider, 1834) INT 18
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Porrhoclubiona decora (Blackwall, 1859) NAT 61
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Rugathodes acoreensis Wunderlich, 1992 END 3
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Savigniorrhipis acoreensis Wunderlich, 1992 END 17
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Steatoda nobilis (Thorell, 1875) NAT 1
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Tenuiphantes miguelensis (Wunderlich, 1992) NAT 5
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Tenuiphantes tenuis (Blackwall, 1852) INT 29
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Theridion musivivum Schmidt, 1956 NAT 1
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Xysticus cor Canestrini, 1873 NAT 1
Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae Zygiella x-notata (Clerck, 1757) INT 2
Arthropoda Arachnida Opiliones Homalenotus coriaceus (Simon, 1879) NAT 1
Arthropoda Arachnida Opiliones Leiobunum blackwalli Meade, 1861 NAT 41
Arthropoda Arachnida Pseudoscorpiones Chthonius ischnocheles (Hermann, 1804) INT 1
Arthropoda Arachnida Pseudoscorpiones Ephippiochthonius tetrachelatus (Preyssler, 1790) INT 2
Arthropoda Chilopoda Lithobiomorpha Lithobius pilicornis pilicornis Newport, 1844 NAT 1
Arthropoda Diplopoda Julida Blaniulus guttulatus (Fabricius, 1798) INT 161
Arthropoda Diplopoda Julida Brachyiulus pusillus (Leach, 1814) INT 2
Arthropoda Diplopoda Julida Cylindroiulus propinquus (Porat, 1870) INT 15
Arthropoda Diplopoda Julida Nopoiulus kochii (Gervais, 1847) INT 79
Arthropoda Diplopoda Julida Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860) INT 7
Arthropoda Diplopoda Polydesmida Oxidus gracilis (C.L. Koch, 1847) INT 260
Arthropoda Diplopoda Polydesmida Polydesmus coriaceus Porat, 1870 INT 94
Arthropoda Insecta Archaeognatha Dilta saxicola (Womersley, 1930) NAT 4
Arthropoda Insecta Blattodea Zetha simonyi (Krauss, 1892) NAT 71
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Aleochara bipustulata (Linnaeus, 1760) IND 2
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Anaspis proteus Wollaston, 1854 NAT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Anotylus nitidifrons (Wollaston, 1871) IND 11
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Atheta aeneicollis (Sharp, 1869) IND 1
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Brachypeplus mauli Gardner & Classey, 1962 INT 2
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Calacalles subcarinatus (Israelson, 1984) END 3
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Catops coracinus Kellner, 1846 NAT 4
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Cercyon haemorrhoidalis (Fabricius, 1775) INT 2
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Coccotrypes carpophagus (Hornung, 1842) INT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Cryptamorpha desjardinsii (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) INT 2
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Dryops algiricus (Lucas, 1846) NAT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Epitrix hirtipennis (Melsheimer, 1847) INT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Epuraea biguttata (Thunberg, 1784) INT 4
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Longitarsus kutscherai (Rye, 1872) INT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Ocypus aethiops (Waltl, 1835) IND 1
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Ocys harpaloides (Audinet-Serville, 1821) NAT 2
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Phenolia limbata tibialis (Boheman, 1851) INT 5
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Phloeonomus punctipennis C.G.Thomson, 1867 IND 2
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Popillia japonica Newman, 1838 INT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Pseudophloeophagus tenax borgesi Stüben, 2022 END 31
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Rugilus orbiculatus (Paykull, 1789) IND 1
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Sericoderus lateralis (Gyllenhal, 1827) INT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Stelidota geminata (Say, 1825) INT 935
Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Tachyporus nitidulus (Fabricius, 1781) IND 2
Arthropoda Insecta Dermaptera Forficula auricularia Linnaeus, 1758 INT 3
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Campyloneura virgula (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1835) NAT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Cinara juniperi (De Geer, 1773) NAT 7
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Cixius azoterceirae Remane & Asche, 1979 END 23
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Cyphopterum adcendens (Herrich-Schäffer, 1835) NAT 2
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Kleidocerys ericae (Horváth, 1909) NAT 9
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Megamelodes quadrimaculatus (Signoret, 1865) NAT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Piezodorus lituratus (Fabricius, 1794) NAT 6
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Pinalitus oromii J. Ribes, 1992 END 1
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Saldula palustris (Douglas, 1874) NAT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Siphanta acuta (Walker, 1851) INT 3
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Strophingia harteni Hodkinson, 1981 END 1
Arthropoda Insecta Hemiptera Trioza laurisilvae Hodkinson, 1990 NAT 9
Arthropoda Insecta Hymenoptera Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) NAT 2
Arthropoda Insecta Hymenoptera Lasius grandis Forel, 1909 NAT 263
Arthropoda Insecta Hymenoptera Tetramorium caldarium (Roger, 1857) INT 7
Arthropoda Insecta Lepidoptera Argyresthia atlanticella Rebel, 1940 END 26
Arthropoda Insecta Lepidoptera Ascotis fortunata azorica Pinker, 1971 END 4
Arthropoda Insecta Lepidoptera Autographa gamma (Linnaeus, 1758) NAT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Lepidoptera Cyclophora azorensis (Prout, 1920) END 20
Arthropoda Insecta Lepidoptera Scoparia coecimaculalis Warren, 1905 END 1
Arthropoda Insecta Neuroptera Hemerobius azoricus Tjeder, 1948 END 1
Arthropoda Insecta Phasmida Carausius morosus (Sinéty, 1901) INT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Psocodea Atlantopsocus adustus (Hagen, 1865) NAT 5
Arthropoda Insecta Psocodea Ectopsocus briggsi McLachlan, 1899 INT 17
Arthropoda Insecta Psocodea Ectopsocus strauchi Enderlein, 1906 NAT 6
Arthropoda Insecta Psocodea Elipsocus azoricus Meinander, 1975 END 1
Arthropoda Insecta Psocodea Elipsocus brincki Badonnel, 1963 END 1
Arthropoda Insecta Psocodea Trichopsocus clarus (Banks, 1908) NAT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Psocodea Valenzuela flavidus (Stephens, 1836) NAT 1
Arthropoda Insecta Thysanoptera Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouché, 1833) INT 5

In relation to Chordata, avian species totalled 12 indigenous and one introduced bird, indicating an inrease in the overall taxa count for the area (Table 4 and Suppl. material 4). The most abundant bird species were the endemic Passeriformes Turdus merula azorensis Hartert, E, 1905 (n = 134) and Fringilla coelebs moreletti Pucheran, 1859 (n = 128). Finally, the mammalian species included eight introduced species, marking new records for Matela, the most abundant being Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) (n = 223) and one endemic species, the Azorean endemic bat Nyctalus azoreum (n = 3).

Table 4.
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Inventory of birds and mammals collected in 2022 on the Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela, (Natural Park of Terceira Island, Azores), including taxonomical information (Kindgom, Phylum, Class, Order and Species names), colonisation status (C.S.) (END - endemic from Azores; NAT - native non-endemic; INT - introduced species; IND - indeterminate origin) and overall abundance data (N).

Phylum Class Order Species C.S. N
Chordata Aves Accipitriformes Buteo buteo rothschildi Swann, 1919 END 6
Chordata Aves Charadriiformes Larus michahellis atlantis Dwight, 1922 END 4
Chordata Aves Columbiformes Columba palumbus azorica Hartert, E, 1905 END 92
Chordata Aves Passeriformes Erithacus rubecula (Linnaeus, 1758) NAT 17
Chordata Aves Passeriformes Fringilla coelebs moreletti Pucheran, 1859 END 128
Chordata Aves Passeriformes Motacilla cinerea patriciae Vaurie, 1957 END 24
Chordata Aves Passeriformes Oenanthe oenanthe leucorhoa (Gmelin, JF, 1789) NAT 19
Chordata Aves Passeriformes Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) INT 16
Chordata Aves Passeriformes Regulus regulus inermis Murphy & Chapin, 1929 END 6
Chordata Aves Passeriformes Serinus canaria (Linnaeus, 1758) NAT 13
Chordata Aves Passeriformes Sturnus vulgaris granti Hartert, E, 1903 END 12
Chordata Aves Passeriformes Sylvia atricapilla gularis Alexander, 1898 END 14
Chordata Aves Passeriformes Turdus merula azorensis Hartert, E, 1905 END 134
Chordata Mammalia Artiodactyla Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 INT 2
Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Canis lupus familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) INT 4
Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Felis catus (Linnaeus, 1758) INT 1
Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Mustela furo Linnaeus, 1758 INT 3
Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Mustela nivalis Linnaeus, 1766 INT 15
Chordata Mammalia Chiroptera Nyctalus azoreum (Thomas, 1901) END 3
Chordata Mammalia Lagomorpha Oryctolagus cunniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) INT 6
Chordata Mammalia Rodentia Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 INT 32
Chordata Mammalia Rodentia Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) INT 223

Despite Matela harbouring numerous native and endemic species, thereby maintaining a highly notable natural heritage, it has recently fallen object to the invasion of introduced exotic species, some of them also invasive. Of high concern is the spread of Pittosporum undulatum Vent. (n = 54), Rubus ulmifolius Schott (n = 49) and Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker-Gawl.

The number of recorded species has substantially increased across almost all groups for which historical data allow comparisons. However, we were not able to confirm the presence of some epigean endemic arthropods that were sampled in 2002, namely three spider species (Canariphantes acoreensis (Wunderlich, 1992); Lasaeola oceanica Simon, 1883; Pardosa acorensis Simon, 1883) and several beetle species, namely Athous azoricus Platia & Gudenzi, 2002; Atlantocis gillerforsi Israelson, 1986; Drouetius borgesi borgesi Machado, 2009; and Pseudechinosoma nodosum Hustache, 1936.

The genuine impact of the exotic potentially invasive species on native communities remains not fully clarified; nevertheless, the imperative to address this pressing issue for nature conservation in the Azores is unequivocal. Within the project “Matela – uma ilha de biodiversidade” (“Matela - an island of biodiversity”), we aim to contribute to the restoration of this important fragment of native forest and we will maintain the monitoring of the several taxonomic groups during the next years using the same protocols.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the project MATELA - Uma Ilha de Biodiversidade funded by VIRIDIA. LLL is funded by the project FCT-UIDP/00329/2020-2024. PAVB, RBE and RG were also funded by the projects Azores DRCT Pluriannual Funding (M1.1.A/FUNC.UI&D/010/2021-2024) and FCT-UIDB/00329/2020-2024 (DOI 10.54499/UIDB/00329/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/00329/2020), Thematic Line 1 – integrated ecological assessment of environmental change on biodiversity).

Author contributions

MAS: Research (field and laboratory work); Data Curation; Darwin Core dataset preparation; Formal analysis and interpretation; Manuscript writing.

LLL: Darwin Core dataset preparation; Manuscript writing.

RBE: Conceptualisation; Methodology; Research (fieldwork).

RG: Conceptualisation; Methodology; Research (field and laboratory work); Resources.

PAVB: Conceptualisation; Methodology; Research (field and laboratory work); Resources; Darwin Core dataset revision, GBIF IPT management.

All the authors participated in data interpretation and manuscript revision.

References

Supplementary materials

Suppl. material 1: List of bryophytes historically documented in Matela (Bryophyta, Marchantiophyta and Anthocerotophyta) 
Authors:  Mariana Sousa & Rosalina Gabriel
Data type:  Occurrences
Brief description: 

Detailed list of bryophytes found in Matela, based on a revision of historical literature, including grey literature.

Download file (20.17 kb)
Suppl. material 2: List of Vascular Plants historically recorded in Matela (Lycopodiophyta, Pteridophyta, Pinophyta and Magnoliophyta) 
Authors:  Mariana Sousa & Rui Bento Elias
Data type:  Occurrences
Brief description: 

Detailed list of vascular plants found in Matela, based on a revision of historical literature, including grey literature.

Download file (14.90 kb)
Suppl. material 3: List of arthropods historically documented in Matela (Arthropoda) 
Authors:  Mariana Sousa & Paulo A.V. Borges
Data type:  Occurrences
Brief description: 

Detailed list of arthropods found in Matela, based on a revision of historical literature, including grey literature.

Download file (19.47 kb)
Suppl. material 4: List of vertebrates historically documented in Matela 
Authors:  Mariana Sousa
Data type:  Occurrence
Brief description: 

Detailed list of vertebrate found in Matela, based on a revision of historical literature, including grey literature.

Download file (13.02 kb)
Suppl. material 5: List of historical literature sources mentioning Matela 
Authors:  Mariana Sousa
Data type:  Literature list
Brief description: 

List of historical literature sources mentioning Matela and that include species records.

Download file (17.32 kb)
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