Habitat services for protected flora species in Portugal.

Abstract

This study examines the role of biodiversity conservation ecosystem services in enhancing green infrastructure (GI) planning for threatened flora species in mainland Portugal.

Using species richness and abundance distribution data from the citizen science Flora-On platform and listed in the Red List of Vascular Plants, the study analyses the spatial distribution of 383 species classified as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature across 601 grid cells. Correlations to species distribution are assessed with ecological variables, including land use, water, habitat classification, natural vegetation, topography, land morphology, and soil quality.

Positive correlations are found with coastal areas, sparse vegetation, and relic vegetation communities. The study maps complementary biodiversity conservation areas and identifies linear connections as blueprints for potential ecological corridors, highlighting regions not previously part of the GI network. Of the newly identified areas, 4% are additional to the original GI, while 7% overlap with existing GI areas.

These results suggest that integrating the newly identified areas into landscape planning can enhance habitat connectivity and support the persistence of threatened plant species. This approach underscores the value of citizen-science data in refining national-scale conservation strategies and highlights the importance of prioritising ecological core areas and corridors within the existing GI framework.