Targeted habitats and species monitoring

Assessing the recovery of habitats and native species is essential to evaluate restoration progress and guide adaptive management throughout the implementation of NewLIFE4BioIslands. This task will monitor ecological changes across all project intervention areas, providing the evidence needed to measure habitat recovery, biodiversity responses, and the long-term effectiveness of restoration actions.

The monitoring programme will combine field surveys with geospatial technologies to assess vegetation dynamics, habitat quality, and ecosystem resilience over time.

The main actions include:

• Vegetation and habitat monitoring: Permanent monitoring plots and field surveys will assess changes in vegetation composition, habitat structure, natural regeneration, and the recovery of native plant communities.
• Monitoring of priority species: Selected native and threatened plant species will be monitored to evaluate population trends, establishment success, and the effectiveness of species recovery measures.
• Habitat quality assessment: Indicators such as soil stability, erosion control, vegetation development, and habitat suitability for wildlife will be used to evaluate restoration outcomes.
• Remote sensing and landscape monitoring: Drones, satellite imagery, and time-lapse photography will assess vegetation cover, ecological connectivity, and landscape-scale restoration dynamics.
• Soil monitoring: Periodic soil assessments will evaluate changes in soil condition, organic matter, and carbon sequestration, supporting evidence-based management and ensuring that restoration actions continue to improve biodiversity and ecosystem resilience over time.