Background Temperate Atlantic wet heaths with heather (Erica ciliaris) and species-rich Nardus grasslands on siliceous substrates are common on the supra-temperate and supra-Mediterranean levels of granitic mountains in Northern and Central Portugal. These habitat types are usually found in a mosaic landscape, frequently on the edge of peat ecosystems. However, these habitats are in steep regression, threatened primarily by a decrease in grazing and progression into willow forests or into shrubland, and also by artificial drainage of the land. Protection of the two habitats in the vegetation mosaic, and their relative abundance, depends on good management practices. However, what is good for one habitat is not necessarily good for another. For example, burning, draining, and grazing in mountain areas clearly benefits moor matgrass, but is harmful for hygrophilous heather-gorse shrublands. Objectives The HIGRO project main goal was to define a methodology for the restoration and active conservation of hygrophilous heaths/gorses [Habitat 4020* - Temperate Atlantic wet heaths with Erica ciliaris and Erica tetralix] and grasslands [Habitat 6230* - Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in continental Europe)] to increase the biodiversity associated to them, including plants and invertebrates with conservation interest. The aim was to achieve an ecological balance between the two habitats on three Sites of Community Importance (SCI), namely ‘Serra de Arga’, ‘Serra de Montemuro’ and ‘Alvão-Marão’, whilst maintaining or increasing their total occupation area. The project aimed to identify the most appropriate techniques to induce vegetation diversity and promote conservation of rare vascular plants and threatened invertebrates. It was also proposed to evaluate how the local bio-geography and environmental conditions influence the interventions to be undertaken. The HIGRO team planned to experiment with restoration techniques on 200 ha of mountain priority habitats in three SCIs in order to assess whether these techniques have an effect on vegetation diversity and resilience to external disturbances. Finally, the project aimed to test a contracting approach with land owners and managers, based on the provision of services for biodiversity conservation to demonstrate an incentivising practice for environmental cooperation, which could be replicated in other mountain regions. The involvement of local communities in the management of these key areas was another objective to be achieved, namely through the promotion of extensive grazing and the award of compensations to the land owners/managers for their contribution to biodiversity conservation. Results After extensive preparatory works, which involved habitat mapping of the three target SCI, the drafting of detail cartography of 352.8 ha of hygrophilous habitats and the production of digital models, the HIGRO project successfully defined a methodology to promote the restoration and active conservation of the two targeted priority mountain habitats and implemented numerous control measures. Mechanical and manual control of grass and shrub vegetation was executed on about 50 ha, but not in a single area of Montemuro SCI. It was however possible to acquire rights in new areas including several small grounds of the three target SCIs, accomplishing the area initially established. Hiring local people to execute the works, the project had a total of 8.6 km of fences placed in the target areas (about 86% of the 10 km initially foreseen) to isolate distinct vegetation areas and prevent grazing. For the purpose of hydrological restoration of roughly 124.4 ha, the project built about 152 structures, including 144 dykes. The intervention area surpassed the initial goals by about 24%. In an attempt to promote grazing along the priority habitats, the project hired 17 shepherds, who led their flocks along predefined routes, which allowed extensive grazing for conservation on about 158.3 ha (100 ha initially proposed). In addition, the results obtained from studies conducted as part of the project significantly increased the knowledge of the effects of the four active conservation techniques tested (mechanical and manual control of shrub and herbaceous vegetation, installation of fences, restoration of the natural hydrology and promotion of extensive grazing). The project demonstrated that these techniques contribute to the improvement of environmental conditions that favour the occurrence of hygrophilous habitats and associated biodiversity. The implemented methods can be replicated in mountain areas with similar characteristics, requiring only some adjustments to local specificities, in order to conserve and restore plant communities that rely on traditional human activities such as extensive grazing and the control of bush and herbaceous vegetation areas. The project prepared a good practice manual encompassing the experience and knowledge gained to boost the replication of the methodologies for the active management of mountain sites with similar characteristics. The project managed to sign a total of 22 compensation contracts for the use of land rights for a 20 years period, covering a total of approximately 161.84 ha (79.0 ha in SCI ‘Serra de Arga’, 41.8 ha in SCI ‘Serra de Montemuro’ and 41.1 ha in SCI ‘Alvão-Marão’), which corresponds to roughly 81% of the target surface area. The contracts signed with each land manager/owner define different protection levels (with specific restrictions and levels of management) for the different areas. This was achieved despite initial resistance regarding the acquisition of land rights. Some of the land management associations that had signed commitment declarations (included in the application) ultimately failed to sign land rights agreements. They were concerned about the long duration of the contracts (20 years), and feared that joining the project would have an impact on future contracts for the installation of wind farms and that the installation of fences would cause conflicts with shepherds. As a result, the project only managed to acquire rights of several small areas instead of the large areas foreseen in the application. As part of aware-raising activities, the project set up a total of nine walking trails, placing a sign at the beginning of each trail. Moreover, 12 information panels were installed, describing the landscape as well as the different aspects of the respective habitats. In addition to leaflets and a brochure, press releases, newspaper articles, radio and TV reports, the project website provides detailed information on the target priority habitats, project actions, results and maps of the intervention area. The project also produced a short video documentary, explaining the importance of the target habitats, existing problems, and how the measures taken can help mitigate them. It also includes a description of the main results obtained in the framework of the project. Further dissemination activities included an exhibition, shown in 17 places and visited by 5 122 people, the layman’s report, events for local communities and a technical workshop. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).