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Monitoring agroforest plots under the scope of the COMCHA project. 1. Baseline data for the vascular plants and arthropods of "Vale da Fonte Plot" in Pico Island (Azores Archipelago)
Open accessPublished version of a preprint
Abstract
Agroforestry is increasingly promoted as a nature-based solution (NbS) capable of reconciling production with biodiversity conservation, particularly in island landscapes, where endemism and fragmentation heighten conservation stakes. We established a permanent agroforest monitoring plot at Vale da Fonte (Pico Island, Azores) to generate baseline data on vascular plants and terrestrial arthropods and to evaluate whether a structurally complex orchard embedded in native coastal forest can support native and endemic biotas and key ecosystem functions. We used a modified COBRA framework integrating complementary active protocols (nocturnal aerial searching, day/night beating and day sweeping), together with pollinators time transects, pan traps and targeted pest traps. We collected 69 standardised samples (5 plant, 64 arthropod) and made the dataset publicly available in Darwin Core format via the GBIF IPT for long-term use. The botanical survey documented 155 vascular plant species including 12 taxa recorded for the first time for Pico Island. These newly-recorded species are: Centaurium tenuiflorum (Hoffm. & Link) Fritsch subsp. tenuiflorum (Naturalized), Lolium rigidum Gaudin (Naturalised), Malus domestica Borkh (Casual), Mentha spicata L. (Naturalised), Monstera deliciosa Liebm. (Casual), Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Naturalised), Passiflora edulis Sims (Casual), Poa pratensis L. (Casual), Prunus armeniaca L. (Casual), Scrophularia auriculata L. (Casual), Trifolium pratense L. (Naturalised) and Verbena rigida Spreng. (Naturalised). We recorded 169 arthropod taxa from 18 orders and 84 families, comprising 150 identified taxa (56 native non-endemic, 14 endemic, 74 introduced and six of indeterminate status). We also documented a total of 18 first records to Pico Island, one of which is also a new record for the Azores Archipelago, the European paper wasp Polistes dominula (Christ, 1791) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). In addition, these results highlight the mixed native–exotic character of lowland agroforestry mosaics on oceanic islands and provide a baseline for future monitoring of biosecurity risks, restoration efficacy and ecosystem-service provisioning in insular production landscapes.
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TL;DR
This data paper establishes a permanent agroforest monitoring plot at Vale da Fonte, Pico Island (Azores), and provides baseline inventories of vascular plants and terrestrial arthropods using a modified COBRA protocol. It records 155 vascular plant species (12 new to Pico) and 169 arthropod taxa (18 new to Pico, one new to the Azores), highlighting a mixed native–exotic assemblage in lowland agroforestry.
Key findings
- The botanical survey documented 155 vascular plant species in five classes, 34 orders, 73 families and 138 genera; 75 were naturalised, 23 native (including 10 endemics), seven casual introductions and two of uncertain status, with 48 species intentionally planted. Twelve species were first records for Pico Island.
- The arthropod survey recorded 169 taxa from 18 orders, 84 families and 146 genera; 150 taxa were identified to species or subspecies, comprising 14 endemic (9.3%), 56 native non-endemic (37.3%), 74 introduced (49.3%) and six indeterminate (4.0%). There were 18 first records to Pico Island, one of which—*Polistes dominula*—was also a new record for the Azores Archipelago.
- A total of 69 standardised samples were collected (five plant, 64 arthropod). The GBIF Darwin Core Archive contains an event table with 69 records and an occurrence table with 1,285 records.
- The 169 arthropod taxa represent about 18% of Pico’s known fauna (928 taxa before this study; 946 after adding the 18 new island records) and approximately 7% of all arthropod taxa recorded for the Azores (2,420).
Methods
- A permanent agroforest monitoring plot was established at Vale da Fonte, Pico Island, Azores, within a structurally complex orchard embedded in native coastal forest. The study area was divided into five plots at 72–83 m a.s.l.; the principal survey occurred mostly 16–19 June 2025, with trap data extending to 18 August 2025.
- A modified COBRA protocol combined nocturnal active aerial searching, day and night foliage beating, day sweeping, pollinator timed transects, pan traps, and targeted pest traps for *Ceratitis capitata*, thrips and *Cosmopolites sordidus*. Vegetation was assessed with a random-walk botanical survey.
- Specimens were preserved in 96% ethanol, sorted and identified by parataxonomists and taxonomists, and data were standardised to Darwin Core and published via the GBIF IPT. Taxonomic nomenclature and colonisation status follow Borges et al. 2022b.
Limitations
- The paper states no explicit limitations.
- Evident from the text: this is a baseline inventory from a single low-elevation agroforest plot (five subplots) with a short main survey window (mostly 16–19 June 2025), so temporal replication and broader generalisation are limited.
- Evident from the text: no control or comparative statistical analysis is reported, and juvenile arthropods were included in identifications because low Azorean species diversity allows reliable identification, which may still constrain some determinations.
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33 Own result · 13 Sources not found · 11 Own method · 11 Own interpretation · 10 Check pending · 3 No full text of the sources · 1 No basis given
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“seven are casual introductions”
§ Monitoring agroforest plots under the scope of the COMCHA project. 1. Baseline data for the vascular plants and arthropods of "Vale da Fonte Plot" in Pico Island (Azores Archipelago) > Additional information
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Of these, 150 taxa (89%) were identified to species or subspecies.”
§ Monitoring agroforest plots under the scope of the COMCHA project. 1. Baseline data for the vascular plants and arthropods of "Vale da Fonte Plot" in Pico Island (Azores Archipelago) > Additional information
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“These newly-recorded species are: Centaurium tenuiflorum (Hoffm. & Link) Fritsch subsp. tenuiflorum (Naturalized), Lolium rigidum Gaudin (Naturalised), Malus domestica Borkh (Casual), Mentha spicata L. (Naturalised), Monstera deliciosa Liebm. (Casual), Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Naturalised), Passiflora edulis Sims (Casual), Poa pratensis L. (Casual), Prunus armeniaca L. (Casual), Scrophular”
§ Monitoring agroforest plots under the scope of the COMCHA project. 1. Baseline data for the vascular plants and arthropods of "Vale da Fonte Plot" in Pico Island (Azores Archipelago) > Abstract > New information
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“We also documented a total of 18 first records to Pico Island, one of which is also a new record for the Azores Archipelago, the European paper wasp Polistes dominula (Christ, 1791) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae).”
§ Monitoring agroforest plots under the scope of the COMCHA project. 1. Baseline data for the vascular plants and arthropods of "Vale da Fonte Plot" in Pico Island (Azores Archipelago) > Abstract > New information
plainSingle case- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The 150 identified taxa comprise 14 endemic (9.3%), 56 native non-endemic (37.3%), 74 introduced (49.3%) and six of indeterminate status (4.0%).”
§ Monitoring agroforest plots under the scope of the COMCHA project. 1. Baseline data for the vascular plants and arthropods of "Vale da Fonte Plot" in Pico Island (Azores Archipelago) > Additional information
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Probably not a substantial claim. 39
- It may state two separate claims as one. 24
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Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Rated minor: it would not touch a result — a value no result rests on, a p-value that stays on the same side of the significance level, or a conflict that is clerical, resolved elsewhere in the paper, or outside its own findings.
In the paper
§ Monitoring agroforest plots under the scope of the COMCHA project. 1. Baseline data for the vascular plants and arthropods of "Vale da Fonte Plot" in Pico Island (Azores Archipelago) > Sampling methods > Sampling description
“Pan trapping consisted of placing two sets of pan traps per plot, distanced by ~ 50 m. One set was placed at soil level, while in the other, the traps were levelled at the average flower height.”
§ Monitoring agroforest plots under the scope of the COMCHA project. 1. Baseline data for the vascular plants and arthropods of "Vale da Fonte Plot" in Pico Island (Azores Archipelago) > Sampling methods > Sampling description
“In total, five vertical and four soil-level pan-trap sets were deployed.”
Rated minor: it would not touch a result — a value no result rests on, a p-value that stays on the same side of the significance level, or a conflict that is clerical, resolved elsewhere in the paper, or outside its own findings.
In the paper
§ Monitoring agroforest plots under the scope of the COMCHA project. 1. Baseline data for the vascular plants and arthropods of "Vale da Fonte Plot" in Pico Island (Azores Archipelago) > Project description > Study area description
“between 38°33′57″ and 38°33′44″ N and 28°01′39″ and 28°32′33″ W”
§ Monitoring agroforest plots under the scope of the COMCHA project. 1. Baseline data for the vascular plants and arthropods of "Vale da Fonte Plot" in Pico Island (Azores Archipelago) > Sampling methods > Study extent
“situated at 38.5027707 N, -28.27836457 W”
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Cited by
Wallon, S., Domingues, A., Ros-Prieto, A., Lhoumeau, S., Lopes, D., & Borges, P. (2026) · Biodiversity Data Journal · doi:10.3897/bdj.14.e210298
Self-citation
Metadata
- Authors
- Lago, A., Petrone, A., Soares, A., Boieiro, M., Lopes, D., Freitas, T., Lhoumeau, S., Wallon, S., & Borges, P.
- Affiliations
- University of Bologna (IT)
- University of Azores, CE3C—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE —Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rua da Mãe de Deus, 9500-321, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal
- Universidade dos Açores (PT)
- Vale da Fonte, São Roque, Azores, Portugal
- Corresponding author
- Borges, Paulo
- ORCID
- Venue
- Biodiversity Data Journal
- Publisher
- Pensoft Publishers
- Published
- 2026-02-18
- Volume
- 14
- Pages
- e174244-e174244
- ISSN
- 1314-2828 (ISSN-L)
- 1314-2836
- PMC
- PMC12936719
- OpenAlex
- W7130319880
- Cited by
- 1
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1
- FWCI
- 3.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Biodiversity Data Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- ZooKeys (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Biodiversity Heritage Library (Smithsonian Institution) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- Fundo Regional para a Ciência e Tecnologia
- Biodiversa+
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (UID/00329/2025, 00329)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Forestry › Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Plant and animal studies
- Keywords
- agroforestry, nature-based solutions, Pico Island, vascular plants, terrestrial arthropods, endemic species, introduced species, new records, orchards, pollinators, pest monitoring, biodiversity conservation, island ecosystems, Polistes dominula, long-term monitoring plots
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