EDP Baixo Sabor: Exploration Phase – Vascular Flora and Habitats: Compensatory Measures Program, Compensatory Measure MC1: improvement and restoration of the riparian gallery [2015-2020]

Sampling was designed to cover the last 5 km of the Vilariça stream, upstream and downstream the adduction system (intervention sites). The downstream sites (4) corresponded to the improvement of the riparian gallery (MC1.3, “VGR” points), whereas the upstream sites (4) were dedicated to the restoration of the riparian gallery (MC1.4, “RGR” points). A set of controls (10 of the “M” type and 8 of the “D” type) were located in the Vilariça stream, north of the intervention plots (2 “M” sites), and in seven small streams in the lower Sabor sub-basin, upstream the dam (8 “M” plots and 8 “D” plots).

Plant inventories were performed at each site, once per season, depending on the respective flowering period, from March to September, encompassing between 10 and 15 work-days. They were carried out on samples of 100 m2 (50 x 2 m). The sampling plots were delimited using a braided nylon rope, previously graded, which followed the line of the riparian corridor for 50 m, to which 1 m in width was added for each side.

The entire floristic list was listed up to the taxonomic category of species or subspecies, and through visual estimates a degree of coverage was assigned to each cast member, in percentage. These data were used in the calculation of several structure and composition parameters (not recorded in this dataset, which deals only with the plant inventories. Coverage estimates are presented up to the minimum area equivalent to 1% (i.e. 4 m2 in plots of 20 m x 20 m and 1 m2 in those measuring 50 m x 2 m) and take a standard minimum value of 0.5% when the cover is less than 1%. The coverage of the natural regenerated trees, less than 1.30 m was recorded separately. Specimens of doubtful identification were collected and pressed between two sheets of paper for later identification and deposit in the Herbarium of Vila Real (HVR -according to Index Herbarium codes -Thiers, 2010). A list was kept of all species RELAPE, as well as of invasive/infesting species in each inventory.