The prickly hakea (Hakea sericea Schrader) is a shrubby or small evergreen tree species with robust, very prickly needles, native to southern Australia. In Portugal, it has the status of an invasive species, being listed in Annex I of Decree-Law No. 565/99, of December 21. Initially introduced to Portugal for ornamental purposes and for the formation of natural hedges.
The presence of hakea is noticeable due to the dense and impenetrable thickets it creates, preventing the growth of native vegetation and the use of the spaces by wildlife.
ACHLI intends to carry out this pilot project, which aims to test different treatments for hakea in distinct stages and phases of development (green and post-fire). The objective is to test treatments (mostly mechanical) that are replicable, effective, and manageable for controlling hakea in infested areas.
The pilot project covers an area of 7.40 hectares of the Arga de S. João Common Land Unit, located within the Vieira and Monte Crasto Mountain Range Forest Perimeter. An agreement was signed between the ICNF (Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests), the Management Council of the Arga S. João Common Lands, and ACHLI. Throughout the duration of the agreement, the treatments applied will be monitored, and the response of the Haquea grass to them will be assessed.