Management strategies for conservation of the lizard Lacerta schreiberi in Portugal

Abstract

Lacerta schreiberi is an endemic lizard in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, with some isolated populations in the south. The aims of this work are to select priority areas for the conservation of the species, identify extinction risk areas, evaluate the current degree of protection and define a strategy for the conservation of this species in Portugal. We used an evaluation model of areas in a GIS environment. Conservation priority areas represent 15% of the distribution area of the species in Portugal. Populations with high risk of extinction are located primarily along the littoral strip. About 50% of the conservation priority areas are already included in the Portuguese protected areas (PPA). The conservation strategy for the species needs efficient protection of habitats, increase of PPA and creation of Regional Reserves for the littoral populations. For the isolated populations we propose five types of management actions: habitat restoration, supplementation of populations, reintroduction of individuals, captive breeding and population monitoring.