With the construction of the Parque Dr. Mário Soares and the renaturalisation of this stretch of the Ribeira do Vilar, a water retention basin was built, as well as a small pond, both adjacent to the stream. This intervention made it possible to increase the biodiversity and phytodepuration capacity of the watercourse, improving environmental quality by planting various species of native aquatic plants. These strategically selected plants play a crucial role in increasing the ecosystem’s ability to filter pollutants, fix sediments and promote the natural purification of the water in this watercourse.
This riverside ecosystem was designed to be resilient to drought in summer and to take advantage of water in the other seasons, and its entire wet system allows the park’s thermal regulation. In addition, rainwater from the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel, adjacent to the park, is drained and channelled into a small valley designed for this purpose, which joins the main watercourse of the Ribeira do Vilar downstream, highlighting the sustainable drainage of these waters.
The rehabilitation of the stream and the construction of the retention basin and pond were carried out by the Municipality, in partnership with CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research). Were introduced phytopurification structures into the watercourse, aquatic plants (fringed water lily, common reed, coontail, yellow flag iris) and amphibians into the permanent pond. The main objectives of this interventions 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.
