Identification of Priority Areas for Ecological Restoration in Portugal
Re-Store Portugal — Priority Areas for Ecological Restoration
Goal
I was part of a team hired by WWF Portugal to identify priority areas for ecological restoration in mainland Portugal in support of the Re-Store Portugal initiative.
What we did
- Built a comprehensive geospatial database spanning habitats, species, environmental pressures, and socio-economic factors.
- Applied multi-criteria analysis combining ecological, socio-economic, legal, and strategic indicators.
- Screened dozens of candidate areas across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems, prioritizing those with the highest conservation value and feasibility.
- Produced project fiches for each selected area with conservation attributes, key pressures, recommended interventions, and indicative restoration budgets.
Outputs
We identified nine priority areas across land, sea, and freshwater. These include critical habitats such as coastal wetlands, seagrass meadows, rivers, lagoons, and native forests, all facing significant pressure.
Impact
This work provides a replicable model for prioritizing restoration in Portugal. The approach equips WWF Portugal to mobilize partners, secure funding, and guide implementation of actions that deliver measurable ecological and social benefits.
WWF Portugal plans to invest €1.8 million by 2030 in three of the selected areas: Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, Serra do Caldeirão, and Estuário do Tejo.