Description
Data Records
The data in this sampling event resource has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A), which is a standardized format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data table contains 1,655 records.
1 extension data tables also exist. An extension record supplies extra information about a core record. The number of records in each extension data table is illustrated below.
This IPT archives the data and thus serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the downloads section. The versions table lists other versions of the resource that have been made publicly available and allows tracking changes made to the resource over time.
Versions
The table below shows only published versions of the resource that are publicly accessible.
How to cite
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
Petrone A, Pereira F, Elias R B, Borges P A V (2025). Mapping Vascular Plant Diversity on São Jorge Island under the PRIBES project. Version 1.0. Universidade dos Açores. Samplingevent dataset. http://ipt.gbif.pt/ipt/resource?r=sao_jorge_plants&v=1.0
Rights
Researchers should respect the following rights statement:
The publisher and rights holder of this work is Universidade dos Açores. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY 4.0) License.
GBIF Registration
This resource has been registered with GBIF, and assigned the following GBIF UUID: 9e53efa1-18a2-429f-8411-17d273bfc479. Universidade dos Açores publishes this resource, and is itself registered in GBIF as a data publisher endorsed by GBIF Portugal.
Keywords
Occurrence; São Jorge; Vascular plants; monitoring; invasive species; Observation
Contacts
- Originator
- Researcher
- Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
- Originator
- Originator
- Associate Professor
- School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2397-2438
- ●
- Metadata Provider ●
- Originator ●
- Point Of Contact
- Associate Professor
- School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d´Ávila, Pico da Urze
- +351968933212
Geographic Coverage
São Jorge Island in Azores
| Bounding Coordinates | South West [38.542, -28.312], North East [38.754, -27.753] |
|---|
Taxonomic Coverage
No Description available
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Lycopodiophyta, Cycadophyta, Pteridophyta, Magnoliophyta, Pinophyta |
| Class | Selaginellopsida, Polypodiopsida, Liliopsida, Lycopodiopsida, Pinopsida, Magnoliopsida, Equisetopsida, Cycadopsida |
| Order | Lilliales, Dipsacales, Geraniales, Asterales, Aquifoliales, Ericales, Solanales, Poales, Malpighiales, Boraginales, Lamiales, Caryophyllales, Lycopodiales, Rosales, Commelinales, Brassicales, Sapindales, Gentianales, Pinales, Cyatheales, Santalales, Selaginellales, Alismatales, Fagales, Laurales, Ranunculales, Asparagales, Myrtales, Polypodiales, Zingiberales, Hymenophyllales, Malvales, Cycadales, Vitales, Osmundales, Equisetales, Fabales, Saxifragales, Cornales, Apiales |
| Family | Commelinaceae, Hypericaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Araliaceae, Pittosporaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Cycadaceae, Cannaceae, Blechnaceae, Plantaginaceae, Liliaceae, Myrsinaceae, Ranunculaceae, Apiaceae, Oleaceae, Cupressaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Papaveraceae, Araceae, Polygonaceae, Onagraceae, Geraniaceae, Santalaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Aizoaceae, Violaceae, Orchidaceae, Thelypteridaceae, Basellaceae, Verbenaceae, Myricaceae, Lythraceae, Hydrangeaceae, Selaginellaceae, Nephrolepidaceae, Convolvulaceae, Hymenophyllaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Aspleniaceae, Amaranthaceae, Musaceae, Phytolaccaceae, Zingiberaceae, Culcitaceae, Gentianaceae, Myrtaceae, Ruppiaceae, Campanulaceae, Aquifoliaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rosaceae, Equisetaceae, Cyperaceae, Dennstaedtiaceae, Polypodiaceae, Vitaceae, Asparagaceae, Solanaceae, Pinaceae, Iridaceae, Simaroubaceae, Pteridaceae, Ericaceae, Poaceae, Rubiaceae, Dryopteridaceae, Juncaceae, Crassulaceae, Dipsacaceae, Boraginaceae, Tropaeolaceae, Lauraceae, Asphodelaceae, Moraceae, Cactaceae, Frankeniaceae, Adoxaceae, Osmundaceae, Lycopodiaceae, Primulaceae, Apocynaceae, Cyatheaceae, Asteraceae, Athyriaceae, Orobanchaceae, Salicaceae, Euphorbiaceae |
Temporal Coverage
| Start Date / End Date | 2020-07-13 / 2020-07-19 |
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Project Data
Despite numerous floristic explorations since the 19th century, detailed, spatially explicit data on plant species occurrence across the varied habitats of São Jorge remain limited. Comprehensive plant inventories are crucial for understanding biogeographical patterns, assessing ecological changes, and guiding conservation strategies. The aim of this study was to develop a spatially explicit inventory of plant species across diverse natural and seminatural areas of São Jorge Island (Azores). Fieldwork was conducted over a seven-day period, from July 13th to July 19th, 2020.
| Title | Mapping Vascular Plant Diversity on São Jorge Island under the PRIBES project |
|---|---|
| Identifier | PRIBES - São Jorge |
| Funding | PORBIOTA - “ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072 - AZORES BIOPORTAL”, funded by the Operational Programme Azores 2020 (85% ERDF and 15% regional funds) (2019-2021). RBE and PAVB are currently funded by FCT through national and European funds by UID/00329/2023 - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CE3C) and this project was alos funded by M1.1.A/FUNC.UI&D/021/2025 [UI&D/GBA/2025], was funded by the Regional Directorate for Science, Innovation and Development [Regional Government of the Azores] through the PROSCIENTIA Incentive System |
| Study Area Description | This study was conducted on São Jorge Island, part of the Central Group of the Azores Archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. The island is a narrow volcanic ridge approximately 55–56 km long and 6.5–8 km wide, with an area of about 237–246 km². Its highest elevation is Pico da Esperança (1,053 m a.s.l.) (Madeira & Brum da Silveira, 2003). The island's WNW–ESE orientation results from the alignment of spatter cones along active dextral normal faults, reflecting the tectono-magmatic fabric of the Azores Plateau (Madeira, J., et al., 1998). São Jorge is characterized by steep coastal cliffs—especially along the north coast—rising 400–800 m above sea level, and numerous «Fajãs», flat low-lying areas formed by landslides or lava flows (Zanon & Viveiros, 2019). These unique landforms host a range of habitats, from high-altitude humid forests to coastal zones. The climate is Temperate with mild summer and no dry season (Cfb). These conditions favor dense and persistent vegetation cover and rapid recolonization of disturbed substrates (Zanon & Viveiros, 2019). Although native forests once covered most of the island, they are now restricted to small fragments above 600 m (Elias et al., 2016). Much of the island is currently impacted by exotic and invasive species, particularly in lowland areas and accessible «Fajãs», contributing to ecological challenges and the transformation of native habitats (Silva & Smith, 2004; Borges et al., 2010; Silva et al., 2017, 2018) |
| Design Description | The aim of the study was to generate a spatially explicit inventory of vascular plant species on São Jorge Island, focusing on natural and semi-natural habitats. Fieldwork was carried out from July 13th to July 19th, 2020. Georeferenced photographs were collected using a Garmin Montana 750i GPS unit, documenting plant diversity across an altitudinal and ecological gradient—from coastal vegetation to high-elevation humid forests, scrublands, and grasslands. Survey areas were selected to avoid highly disturbed habitats such as urban zones, intensive pastures, and exotic tree plantations. Photographs were taken mainly along trails, slopes, cliffs, and road margins. Species visible in the images were identified post-fieldwork by expert taxonomists using floristic guides and online resources. Taxonomic and conservation statuses were assigned based on validated data from the Azores Bioportal – PORBIOTA |
The personnel involved in the project:
- Author
- Author
Sampling Methods
Georeferenced photographs were collected using a Garmin Montana 750i GPS unit, with Multi-GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) support and WAAS/EGNOS correction systems that enhance GPS signals with improved accuracy (2-3 m), integrity (error checking) and availability in open-sky conditions. Plant species visible in the images were later identified by expert taxonomists with the help of flora guides (ex. Elias et al. 2024; Schaefer, H. 2021) and online databases (ex. Flora-On Açores; Plant of the World On-line). Species taxonomic ranks and conservation statuses were assigned based on the information available through the Azores Bioportal – PORBIOTA (https://azoresbioportal.uac.pt/pt/), the official biodiversity platform for the Azores Archipelago, which integrates validated and up-to-date data on the region’s flora, including endemism, invasiveness, and habitat preference
| Study Extent | This study was conducted across different areas of the volcanic island of São Jorge (Azores), ranging from coastal areas to high-elevation humid forests, scrublands and grasslands, capturing a variety of habitat types, vegetation density and plant abundance. |
|---|---|
| Quality Control | Within each photograph, identified by a unique code, plants were detected. |
Method step description:
- All specimens were identified by taxonomic experts. The following Floras were used: Schaefer, H. (2021); Elias et al. (2024).
Bibliographic Citations
- Elias, R. B., Gil, A., Silva, L., Fernández-Palacios, J. M., Azevedo, E. B., & Reis, F. (2016). Natural zonal vegetation of the Azores Islands: Characterization and potential distribution. Phytocoenologia, 41(2), 175–192 https://doi.org/10.1127/phyto/2016/0132
- Elias, R. B., Rodrigues, A. F., & Gabriel, R. (2024). Guia prático da flora nativa dos Açores / Field Guide of the Azorean native flora (2nd ed., R. Gabriel & P. A. V. Borges, Eds.). Instituto Açoriano de Cultura (IAC) ISBN 978-989-8225-88-7
- Madeira, J., et al. (1998). Radiocarbon ages of recent volcanic events from the Island of S. Jorge (Azores). Comunicações do IGM, 84(1), A189–A192
- Schaefer, H. (2021). Flora of the Azores, a field guide (3rd ed.). Margraf Publishers GmbH. ISBN 978-3-8236-1792-1
- Madeira, J., & Brum da Silveira, A. (2003). Active tectonics and first paleoseismological results in Faial, Pico and S. Jorge islands (Azores, Portugal). Annals of Geophysics, 46(5), 733–761. https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-3453
- Borges, P.A.V., Costa, A., Cunha, R., Gabriel, R., Gonçalves, V., Martins, A.F., Melo, I., Parente, M., Raposeiro, P., Rodrigues, P., Santos, R.S., Silva, L., Vieira, P. & Vieira, V. (Eds.) (2010). A list of the terrestrial and marine biota from the Azores. Princípia, Cascais, 432 pp. ISBN 978-989-8131-75-1
- Zanon, V., & Viveiros, F. (2019). A multi-methodological re-evaluation of the volcanic events during the 1580 CE and 1808 eruptions at São Jorge Island (Azores Archipelago, Portugal). Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 373, 51–67 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2019.01.028
- Silva, L. B., Teixeira, A., Alves, M., Elias, R. B., & Silva, L. (2017). Tree age determination in the widespread woody plant invader Pittosporum undulatum. Forest Ecology and Management, 400, 457–467 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2017.06.027
- Silva, L. B., Lourenço, P., Teixeira, A., Azevedo, E. B., Alves, M., Elias, R. B., & Silva, L. (2018). Biomass valorization in the management of woody plant invaders: The case of Pittosporum undulatum in the Azores. Biomass and Bioenergy, 109, 155–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2017.12.025
- Silva, L., & Smith, C. W. (2006). A quantitative approach to the study of non-indigenous plants: An example from the Azores Archipelago. Biodiversity & Conservation, 15(5), 1661–1679. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-004-5015-z
Additional Metadata
| Acknowledgements | PORBIOTA - “ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072 - AZORES BIOPORTAL”, funded by the Operational Programme Azores 2020 (85% ERDF and 15% regional funds)(2019-2021) |
|---|---|
| Introduction | The island's WNW–ESE orientation results from the alignment of spatter cones along active dextral normal faults, reflecting the tectono-magmatic fabric of the Azores Plateau (Madeira, J., et al., 1998). São Jorge is characterized by steep coastal cliffs—especially along the north coast—rising 400–800 m above sea level, and numerous «Fajãs», flat low-lying areas formed by landslides or lava flows (Zanon & Viveiros, 2019). These unique landforms host a range of habitats, from high-altitude humid forests to coastal zones. The climate is Temperate with mild summer and no dry season (Cfb). These conditions favor dense and persistent vegetation cover and rapid recolonization of disturbed substrates (Zanon & Viveiros, 2019). Although native forests once covered most of the island, they are now restricted to small fragments above 600 m (Elias et al., 2016). Much of the island is currently impacted by exotic and invasive species, particularly in lowland areas and accessible «Fajãs», contributing to ecological challenges and the transformation of native habitats (Silva & Smith, 2004; Borges et al., 2010; Silva et al., 2017, 2018) |
| Getting Started | We followed Darwin Core standards. |
| Purpose | The aim of this study was to develop a spatially explicit inventory of plant species across diverse natural and seminatural areas of São Jorge Island (Azores) |
| Alternative Identifiers | http://ipt.gbif.pt/ipt/resource?r=sao_jorge_plants |