Mapping Vascular Plant Diversity on São Jorge Island under the PRIBES project

Andrea Petrone1, Fernando Pereira2, Rui B. Elias3, Paulo A. V. Borges3

1 Universidade dos Açores, [Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze], 9700-042, Angra Do Heroismo, Portugal; 2 Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute, [], 9700-042, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze, Portugal; 3 Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c)/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, Portugal

Corresponding author(s): Andrea PetroneFernando PereiraRui B. Elias (rui.mp.elias@uac.pt)Paulo A. V. Borges (paulo.av.borges@uac.pt)

Received {date}; Revised {date}; Accepted {date}; Published {date}

Citation: Combination of authors, year of data paper publication (in parentheses), Title, Journal Name, Volume, Issue number (in parentheses), and doi of the data paper.

Resource Citation

Petrone A, Pereira F, Elias R B, Borges P A V (2025). Mapping Vascular Plant Diversity on São Jorge Island under the PRIBES project. Version 1.0. Universidade dos Açores. Samplingevent dataset. http://ipt.gbif.pt/ipt/resource?r=sao_jorge_plants&v=1.0

Abstract

This study was conducted on São Jorge Island, part of the Central Group of the Azores Archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. The island is a narrow volcanic ridge approximately 55–56 km long and 6.5–8 km wide, with an area of about 237–246 km². Its highest elevation is Pico da Esperança (1,053 m a.s.l.) (Madeira &amp; Brum da Silveira, 2003). A total of 243 vascular plant taxa were recorded across São Jorge Island, encompassing 8 classes, 40 orders, and 89 families. These records correspond to 4,524 individual plant occurrences, including repeated observations of the same species across different sites. As each photographic observation is tied to unique geographic coordinates, all recorded specimens represent new spatial records for the island’s flora. Among the taxa, 53 are considered endemic to the Azores, 131 are introduced, 58 are native and one species (Dracaena draco) is of indeterminate status. These correspond to 1,774 individual occurrences of endemic taxa, 1779 introduced, 970 native and one with indeterminate status. At the family level, 31 families include endemic taxa, 63 include introduced taxa, 34 include native taxa, and one family contains a taxon of indeterminate status

Keywords: Occurrence, São Jorge, Vascular plants, monitoring, invasive species, Observation

General description

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a spatially explicit inventory of plant species across diverse natural and seminatural areas of São Jorge Island (Azores)

Project details

Project title: Mapping Vascular Plant Diversity on São Jorge Island under the PRIBES project
Personnel: Paulo A. V. Borges, Fernando Pereira, Andrea Petrone, Rui B. Elias
Funding: PORBIOTA - “ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072 - AZORES BIOPORTAL”, funded by the Operational Programme Azores 2020 (85% ERDF and 15% regional funds) (2019-2021). RBE and PAVB are currently funded by FCT through national and European funds by UID/00329/2023 - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CE3C) and this project was alos funded by M1.1.A/FUNC.UI&D/021/2025 [UI&D/GBA/2025], was funded by the Regional Directorate for Science, Innovation and Development [Regional Government of the Azores] through the PROSCIENTIA Incentive System
Study area descriptions/descriptor: This study was conducted on São Jorge Island, part of the Central Group of the Azores Archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. The island is a narrow volcanic ridge approximately 55–56 km long and 6.5–8 km wide, with an area of about 237–246 km². Its highest elevation is Pico da Esperança (1,053 m a.s.l.) (Madeira & Brum da Silveira, 2003). The island's WNW–ESE orientation results from the alignment of spatter cones along active dextral normal faults, reflecting the tectono-magmatic fabric of the Azores Plateau (Madeira, J., et al., 1998). São Jorge is characterized by steep coastal cliffs—especially along the north coast—rising 400–800 m above sea level, and numerous «Fajãs», flat low-lying areas formed by landslides or lava flows (Zanon & Viveiros, 2019). These unique landforms host a range of habitats, from high-altitude humid forests to coastal zones. The climate is Temperate with mild summer and no dry season (Cfb). These conditions favor dense and persistent vegetation cover and rapid recolonization of disturbed substrates (Zanon & Viveiros, 2019). Although native forests once covered most of the island, they are now restricted to small fragments above 600 m (Elias et al., 2016). Much of the island is currently impacted by exotic and invasive species, particularly in lowland areas and accessible «Fajãs», contributing to ecological challenges and the transformation of native habitats (Silva & Smith, 2004; Borges et al., 2010; Silva et al., 2017, 2018)
Design description: The aim of the study was to generate a spatially explicit inventory of vascular plant species on São Jorge Island, focusing on natural and semi-natural habitats. Fieldwork was carried out from July 13th to July 19th, 2020. Georeferenced photographs were collected using a Garmin Montana 750i GPS unit, documenting plant diversity across an altitudinal and ecological gradient—from coastal vegetation to high-elevation humid forests, scrublands, and grasslands. Survey areas were selected to avoid highly disturbed habitats such as urban zones, intensive pastures, and exotic tree plantations. Photographs were taken mainly along trails, slopes, cliffs, and road margins. Species visible in the images were identified post-fieldwork by expert taxonomists using floristic guides and online resources. Taxonomic and conservation statuses were assigned based on validated data from the Azores Bioportal – PORBIOTA

Data published through GBIF: http://ipt.gbif.pt/ipt/resource?r=sao_jorge_plants

Taxonomic coverage

Taxonomic ranks
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Lycopodiophyta, Cycadophyta, Pteridophyta, Magnoliophyta, Pinophyta
Class: Selaginellopsida, Polypodiopsida, Liliopsida, Lycopodiopsida, Pinopsida, Magnoliopsida, Equisetopsida, Cycadopsida
Order: Lilliales, Dipsacales, Geraniales, Asterales, Aquifoliales, Ericales, Solanales, Poales, Malpighiales, Boraginales, Lamiales, Caryophyllales, Lycopodiales, Rosales, Commelinales, Brassicales, Sapindales, Gentianales, Pinales, Cyatheales, Santalales, Selaginellales, Alismatales, Fagales, Laurales, Ranunculales, Asparagales, Myrtales, Polypodiales, Zingiberales, Hymenophyllales, Malvales, Cycadales, Vitales, Osmundales, Equisetales, Fabales, Saxifragales, Cornales, Apiales
Family: Commelinaceae, Hypericaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Araliaceae, Pittosporaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Cycadaceae, Cannaceae, Blechnaceae, Plantaginaceae, Liliaceae, Myrsinaceae, Ranunculaceae, Apiaceae, Oleaceae, Cupressaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Papaveraceae, Araceae, Polygonaceae, Onagraceae, Geraniaceae, Santalaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Aizoaceae, Violaceae, Orchidaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Basellaceae, Verbenaceae, Myricaceae, Lythraceae, Hydrangeaceae, Selaginellaceae, Nephrolepidaceae , Convolvulaceae, Hymenophyllaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Aspleniaceae, Amaranthaceae, Musaceae, Phytolaccaceae, Zingiberaceae, Culcitaceae, Gentianaceae, Myrtaceae, Ruppiaceae, Campanulaceae, Aquifoliaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rosaceae, Equisetaceae, Cyperaceae, Dennstaedtiaceae, Polypodiaceae, Vitaceae, Asparagaceae, Solanaceae, Pinaceae, Iridaceae, Simaroubaceae, Pteridaceae, Ericaceae, Poaceae, Rubiaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Juncaceae, Crassulaceae, Dipsacaceae, Boraginaceae, Tropaeolaceae, Lauraceae, Asphodelaceae, Moraceae, Cactaceae, Frankeniaceae, Adoxaceae, Osmundaceae, Lycopodiaceae, Primulaceae, Apocynaceae, Cyatheaceae, Asteraceae, Athyriaceae, Orobanchaceae, Salicaceae, Euphorbiaceae

Spatial coverage

General spatial coverage: São Jorge Island in Azores
Coordinates: 38°32'32.6''N and 38°45'14.18''N Latitude; 28°18'43.88''W and 27°45'10.04''W Longitude 

Temporal coverage: July 13, 2020 - July 19, 2020

Methods

Method step description: All specimens were identified by taxonomic experts. The following Floras were used: Schaefer, H. (2021); Elias et al. (2024).

Study extent description: This study was conducted across different areas of the volcanic island of São Jorge (Azores), ranging from coastal areas to high-elevation humid forests, scrublands and grasslands, capturing a variety of habitat types, vegetation density and plant abundance.
Sampling description: Georeferenced photographs were collected using a Garmin Montana 750i GPS unit, with Multi-GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) support and WAAS/EGNOS correction systems that enhance GPS signals with improved accuracy (2-3 m), integrity (error checking) and availability in open-sky conditions. Plant species visible in the images were later identified by expert taxonomists with the help of flora guides (ex. Elias et al. 2024; Schaefer, H. 2021) and online databases (ex. Flora-On Açores; Plant of the World On-line). Species taxonomic ranks and conservation statuses were assigned based on the information available through the Azores Bioportal – PORBIOTA (https://azoresbioportal.uac.pt/pt/), the official biodiversity platform for the Azores Archipelago, which integrates validated and up-to-date data on the region’s flora, including endemism, invasiveness, and habitat preference
Quality control description: Within each photograph, identified by a unique code, plants were detected.

Datasets

Dataset description
Object name: Darwin Core Archive Mapping Vascular Plant Diversity on São Jorge Island under the PRIBES project
Character encoding: UTF-8
Format name: Darwin Core Archive format
Format version: 1.0
Distribution: http://ipt.gbif.pt/ipt/archive.do?r=sao_jorge_plants
Publication date of data: 2025-07-18
Language: English
Licences of use: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY 4.0) License

Metadata language: English
Date of metadata creation: 2025-07-18
Hierarchy level: Dataset

References
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Elias, R. B., Rodrigues, A. F., & Gabriel, R. (2024). Guia prático da flora nativa dos Açores / Field Guide of the Azorean native flora (2nd ed., R. Gabriel & P. A. V. Borges, Eds.). Instituto Açoriano de Cultura (IAC) ISBN 978-989-8225-88-7
Madeira, J., et al. (1998). Radiocarbon ages of recent volcanic events from the Island of S. Jorge (Azores). Comunicações do IGM, 84(1), A189–A192
Schaefer, H. (2021). Flora of the Azores, a field guide (3rd ed.). Margraf Publishers GmbH. ISBN 978-3-8236-1792-1
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Zanon, V., & Viveiros, F. (2019). A multi-methodological re-evaluation of the volcanic events during the 1580 CE and 1808 eruptions at São Jorge Island (Azores Archipelago, Portugal). Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 373, 51–67 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2019.01.028
Silva, L. B., Teixeira, A., Alves, M., Elias, R. B., & Silva, L. (2017). Tree age determination in the widespread woody plant invader Pittosporum undulatum. Forest Ecology and Management, 400, 457–467 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2017.06.027
Silva, L. B., Lourenço, P., Teixeira, A., Azevedo, E. B., Alves, M., Elias, R. B., & Silva, L. (2018). Biomass valorization in the management of woody plant invaders: The case of Pittosporum undulatum in the Azores. Biomass and Bioenergy, 109, 155–165.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2017.12.025
Silva, L., & Smith, C. W. (2006). A quantitative approach to the study of non-indigenous plants: An example from the Azores Archipelago. Biodiversity & Conservation, 15(5), 1661–1679.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-004-5015-z