The dataset contains 708 records of 13 amphibian and 13 reptile species recorded in the lower reaches of the Sabor River (NE Portugal), and that were included in the baseline studies to define biodiversity offsets of the Baixo Sabor Hydroelectric Dam, promoted by EDP – Energias de Portugal, SA. Data was collected between March and November 2009, during thirty five (n=35) days/nights of field sampling carried out in the area to be flooded by the two reservoirs, and within a 5-km buffer around each reservoir. Surveys involved transects, dip-netting in waterbodies, and casual observations along trails and roads. Each individual observed was identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, its position was recorded, and in case of capture it was released thereafter in the same place. All captures were conducted in accordance with the Portuguese laws and carried out under authorized licences 186/2009/CAPT (Instituto da Conservacão da Natureza e Florestas).

Three species of amphibians and eleven species of reptiles have been documented in the White Mountains area. The relatively low number of herpetofauna species is due to the infrequency of surface water in the White Mountains. All of the species monitored are common throughout Greece. Aside for the terrestrial reptiles and amphibians, there monitoring (presence/absence) is also being performed for the Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) in the coastal front of the National Park.

Traditionally managed mountain grasslands are declining as a result of abandonment or intensification of management. Based on a common chronosequence approach we investigated species compositions of 16 taxonomic groups on traditionally managed dry pastures, fertilized and irrigated hay meadows, and abandoned grasslands (larch forests). We included faunal above- and below-ground biodiversity as well as species traits (mainly rarity and habitat specificity) in our analyses. The larch forests showed the highest species number (345 species), with slightly less species in pastures (290 species) and much less in hay meadows (163 species). The proportion of rare species was highest in the pastures and lowest in hay meadows. Similar patterns were found for specialist species, i.e. species with a high habitat specificity. After abandonment, larch forests harbor a higher number of pasture species than hay meadows. These overall trends were mainly supported by spiders and vascular plants. Lichens, bryophytes and carabid beetles showed partly contrasting trends. These findings stress the importance to include a wide range of taxonomic groups in conservation studies. All in all, both abandonment and intensification had similar negative impacts on biodiversity in our study, underlining the high conservation value of Inner- Alpine dry pastures.