As part of the LIFE Natura@Night project, photometers were installed and replaced to enhance the monitoring of light pollution in regions of high ecological value.
Photometers are instruments used to measure the amount of light present in the nighttime environment. This equipment records the brightness of the sky and detects the presence of artificial light, providing essential data for assessing light pollution levels and their evolution over time.
One of the interventions took place on the island of Graciosa, in the Azores, where the project team replaced these devices. This work is particularly important in an area of great value to seabirds, including the endemic Monteiro’s storm petrel (Hydrobates monteiroi). This species relies on natural darkness to guide essential behaviors such as breeding and feeding, and is particularly sensitive to artificial light.
By collecting continuous data on light levels, it is possible to better understand how artificial lighting affects nocturnal ecosystems and biodiversity and to support the development of more sustainable lighting solutions that are compatible with nature conservation.
