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EU LIFE BEETLES Project Takes Aim at Conserving Endangered Island Beetle Species in the Azores

The EU LIFE BEETLES project is leading a critical conservation initiative to protect endangered beetle species on the islands of Flores, Pico, and Terceira in the Azores, Portugal. Amidst the global biodiversity crisis, this project represents a crucial effort to preserve species that play vital roles in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Focused on three single-island endemic beetles—Tarphius floresensis, Pseudanchomenus aptinoides, and Trechus terrabravensis—the project addresses the twin threats of restricted distribution and habitat degradation caused by invasive plant species.

 

Key Objectives and Approaches:

 

The EU LIFE BEETLES project, funded by the European Commission and coordinated by the Azorean Environment Directorate-General, aims to enhance habitat quality and promote biodiversity conservation through targeted habitat restoration and control of invasive species. Utilizing the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) framework as an ecological indicator, the project assesses the effectiveness of these conservation efforts and seeks a balance between habitat restoration and the preservation of endangered species.

 

Findings and Methodology:

 

From September 2020 to June 2023, the project implemented a comprehensive arthropod monitoring survey across the three islands using SLAM (Sea, Land, and Air Malaise) traps and pitfall traps to track arthropod populations and habitat health:

 

31 SLAM traps were deployed: 7 in Flores, 10 in Pico, and 14 in Terceira, with regular monitoring every three months.

19 transects with 15 non-attractive pitfall traps each were surveyed annually across the islands to monitor ground-dwelling fauna.

A total of 243 arthropod taxa were recorded, with 207 identified to the species or subspecies level, spanning four classes, 24 orders, and 101 families. Notably, the study identified 46 endemic species, highlighting the rich and unique biodiversity of the Azores. The data collected provides valuable insights into the habitat quality for endemic invertebrates and serves as a proxy for overall ecosystem health.

 

Conservation Insights:

 

While the study found no significant changes in the ground-dwelling arthropod communities, a slight decrease in biotic integrity was observed in the understorey communities sampled with SLAM traps. These findings suggest that the three-year duration of the study may be insufficient to detect significant changes in ecosystem health, as recovery from environmental disturbances often requires longer periods of monitoring.

 

The study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring to better understand the long-term ecological resilience and recovery of these unique island habitats.

 

Dr. Paulo Borges, a key researcher involved in the project, stated, "The EU LIFE BEETLES project is an essential step towards safeguarding the unique biodiversity of the Azores. While our initial findings highlight the complexities of habitat restoration, they also stress the importance of sustained conservation efforts to protect these endangered species."

 

Future Directions:

 

The LIFE BEETLES project continues to offer critical insights into effective conservation strategies for island biodiversity. By promoting habitat restoration and controlling invasive species, the project aims to ensure the survival of endemic beetle species that are vital for ecosystem functionality in the Azores.

 

This publication provides a crucial foundation for future research and conservation strategies, demonstrating the importance of long-term monitoring and adaptive management in achieving successful outcomes for endangered species.

 

Reference: Lhoumeau, S., Tsafack, N., Manso, S., Figueiredo, T., Leite, A., Parmentier, L., Ferreira, M.T. & Borges, P.A.V. (2024) Monitoring arthropods under the scope of the LIFE-BEETLES project: I - Baseline data with implementation of the Index of Biotic Integrity. Biodiversity Data Journal, 12: e124799. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e124799

For more information about the study or to arrange an interview with the research team, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Paulo Borges
Leader of Island Biodiversity, Biogeography & Conservation (IBBC)
University of Azores
Email: paulo.av.borges@uac.pt
Phone: 295 402 200