The Horta da Oliveira pond collects water from the green roofs of the Falcão Primary School, thus contributing to a continuous water cycle. The deepest part of the pond is sealed, which ensures that the water remains in the pond during the drier months, and the upper levels are permeable to infiltrate surplus water into the aquifers. It is a biodiversity hotspot that provides various ecosystem services to the vegetable garden and its gardeners. Four species of amphibian were introduced: Pelophylax perezi, Alytes obstreticans, Lissotriton boscai and Salamadra salamandra. In terms of botany, emergent aquatic plants (e.g. Iris pseudacorus and Lysimachia vulgaris) and floating plants (e.g. Nymphoides peltata and Potamogeton crispus) were introduced.
The pond was built as part of the myBUILDINGisGREEN (mBiG) project. This project involves adapting school buildings and social services to climate change in three very different climatic regions (Porto and Alentejo in Portugal and Badajoz in Spain). This pond is part of the MoRe project’s network of water bodies. The main objectives of this project are to increase knowledge of the city’s wetlands, mapping, biological inventory and characterisation, with a view to adopting conservation and restoration measures and creating new water bodies
Address
Falcão, Campanhã
Location
Promoter
Municipality of Porto
Presentation
Partners
CIIMAR
Ecological functions
Improvement of water quality; Improvement of quality of life; Promotion of biodiversity; Reduction of extreme climatic events; Regulation of air quality; Regulation of temperature; Regulation of floods; Carbon sequestration
Sustainable Development Goals
3 - Good Health and Well-Being; 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities; 13 - Climate Action; 15 - Life on Land
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
A park with a crucial role to play both in enhancing public space and in the city's renaturation strategy. The retention basin and pond increase local biodiversity and phytodepuration. The aquatic plants introduced help filter pollutants, fix sediments and improve the natural purification of the water.
A large retention basin that filters rainwater, reduces flooding and recharges aquifers. It supports biodiversity with important habitats for amphibians and aquatic plants. It also offers leisure areas, integrating urban functionality and environmental sustainability.
A pond, once used for traditional purposes, was renaturalized by removing invasive plants and installing ramps for amphibians. Today it is a vital refuge for aquatic biodiversity, with several native species, promoting coexistence between nature and local agriculture.
