Awareness | Workshops |
Conservation of Cereal Steppe Seminary
Conservation of Cereal Steppe Seminary


Objectives of the Seminar:

Over the last decade there have been significant changes on rural areas, namely on the extensive agriculture areas that are predominant on the pseudo-steppe ecosystems. These changes frequently have negative effects on steppe birds.

The knowledge exchange regarding the conservation and management of this ecosystem and the species associated to it becomes of extreme importance for all intervenient.

Therefore, this Seminar intends to stimulate the exchange of experience and updated knowledge, which will allow the improvement of the long term protection of these ecosystems. Meant for biologists, nature conservation technicians, researchers in the Conservation Biology and Agronomy areas, farmers, local agents, local development technicians and national authorities’ representatives, as well as for the general public, it will also be possible to present the results achieved with the habitat management actions carried out over the past few years.

Panel I: Species Ecology
• “Monitoring of the Steppe Birds Community on the Castro Verde ITI” - Rita Ferreira (Bio3)
• “Preliminary data on the use of satellite images to evaluate the climate impact on steppe birds’ habitat, using the little bustard as model species” – João Paulo Silva (CEABN-ISA)
• “Spatial patterns on the locations of courtship and prediction of the lek areas of the great bustard – implications on conservation” – Pedro Rocha (CEABN – ISA)
• “Conservation of the lesser kestrel: past, present and future” – Inês Catry (CEABN - ISA)
• “Effects of changes in soil use for agri-environment birds” – Luis Reino (CIBIO)
• “Monitoring of plant diversity on fallowing/pasture areas in Castro Verde” – Helena Castro (CEF – UC)

Panel II: LIFE Estepárias
• “Project LIFE Estepárias" – Rita Alcazar (LPN)
• “Measures to minimize the impact of power lines on steppe birds: monitoring and results – Project LIFE Estepárias” – Beatriz Estanque (LPN)
• “Measures to minimize the impact of fences on steppe birds: monitoring and results – Project LIFE Estepárias” – Beatriz Estanque (LPN)
• “Synergies with game managers for the conservation of the great bustard and little bustard – Project LIFE Estepárias” – Hugo Lousa (LPN)
• “Implementation of a steppe bird Recovery Program – Project LIFE Estepárias” – Liliana Barosa (LPN)
• "Impact of climate changes on the distribution and ecology of steppe birds – Project LIFE Estepárias” - Francisco Moreira (CEABN - ISA)
• “Multiannual variations in the density of little bustard (Tetrax tetrax). Influence of the agricultural intensification and precipitation.” - Ana Delgado (CEABN - ISA)
• “Consulting populations and civic involvement in the conservation of nature and steppe birds” – Carla Mouro (CIS – IUL)
• “Raising of awareness and environmental education actions of the Project LIFE Estepárias: an essential complement for local development” – Cátia Marques (LPN)

Panel III: Habitat management
• “Social participation as a fundamental tool in the conservation of habitats and fauna – Project LIFE NAT/E/7348” – Javier Pérez (Gobierno de Extremadura)
• “Project LIFE 08NAT/E/000068 – Conservation and Management in the Special Protection Areas for the steppe birds of Andalusia” – Antonio Leiva Blanco (Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucia)
• “Use of agri-environmental and LIFE projects to make bird conservation compatible with agriculture and cattle farming in the Natural Reserve and SPA Las Lagunas de Villafáfila” – Jesus Palacios Alberti e Mariano Rodríguez Alonso (Junta de Castilla y León)
“Project for the recuperation of a lesser kestrel colony in the S. Vicente SPA” - Nuno Sequeira (Quercus - Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza)