A new biodiversity observation guide invites pilgrims and other visitors to discover the fauna and flora of the Portuguese Way of Saint James, in the stretch that crosses Vila Nova de Gaia. The work, comprising 160 pages, brings together 69 species of plants and animals, including invasive species, represented in more than 300 scientific illustrations, as disclosed in a press release.
According to the same source, titled “Biodiversity Observation Guide – STEPS for LIFE Project,” the book is authored by Fernando Correia, a biologist and scientific illustrator, and Diana Santos, a biologist and senior technician at Gaia Biological Park. The edition is published by the Vila Nova de Gaia City Hall, and the publication is free, available at Gaia Biological Park and the municipality’s tourist information offices.
In addition to facilitating species identification, the guide includes route cartography and information about the characteristics of each organism and its importance for ecosystems and for people. The goal is that it can be used both by those walking the Camino de Santiago and by anyone interested in observing nature during walks, in gardens, in the countryside, or in an educational context.
A significant portion of the publication is devoted to invasive exotic species, which can threaten the survival of native species and alter habitats. The guide aims to help readers recognize these species and understand the importance of control and eradication measures for the conservation of local biodiversity.
The work relies on scientific illustration as a tool for communication and learning, highlighting visual details that allow distinguishing different species and awakening readers’ curiosity. “We only protect what we love, and we only love what we know,” summarizes Fernando Correia, underscoring the importance of bringing the public closer to the biodiversity surrounding them.
Six interpretive panels complement the guide
The STEPS for LIFE project also includes six interpretive panels installed along the route in Vila Nova de Gaia. The contents address the framework of the project and the main habitats found along the route, including walls, meadows and ponds, forests and gardens, as well as a panel dedicated to invasive species.
The illustration, design, and texts of the panels are by Fernando Correia and his team, under the coordination of the Vila Nova de Gaia City Hall.
“The challenge was to communicate science to a non-specialized audience, without diluting it: a composition readable at a distance, which still rewards those who stop to view the detail,” explains the scientific illustrator.
With this publication and the panels installed on the ground, the project aims to value the natural heritage of the municipality and encourage a closer relationship with biodiversity, promoting the knowledge necessary for its conservation.
