THE PORTUGUESE FOREST
The Portuguese forest occupies 3.3 million acres (1 ha = 10000m squares), which equates to 38% of the national territory and the goods produced therein sustain an important industry. Are export factor and are a great contribution to GDP (above the European average). Are an important ecosystem.
Principais espĂŠcies da floresta portuguesa
CURIOSIties‌
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Pine is a tree species that occupies more area and (especially in central and north coast) and is the backbone of the sawmill and particleboard industry; The cork oak occupies an area equivalent to 25% of its natural distribution by World; Eucalyptus is an economically interesting species because it grows rapidly, however, is a species controversy because it leads to the depletion of soil and water reserves;
The stone pine The stone pine (Pinus pinea) is a species of pine native to the Old World, specifically in the Mediterranean region. Since prehistoric times, this tree is utilized as a food source, which produces pine nuts due to being a very widespread species. The pine wood may exceed 78 feet in height, although it generally smaller - between 12 and 20 meters. It has a very characteristic shape of umbrella, with short, broad trunk, culminating in a fairly flat canopy.
The maritime pine The maritime pine is a species of pine native to the Old World, specifically in Europe and the Mediterranean region. In Portugal it was originally a spontaneous species in coastal waters over sandy soils north of the Tagus, where you will find the ideal fitoclimáticas conditions: humidity and Atlantic influence, but now, due to the action of man is present throughout the country and there is abundant located in extremes in Northern and Central (districts of Viseu, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Guarda, Leiria and Santarém), which with an area of 812 000 hectares planted, representing 62.5% of the total area of the pine in Portugal; penetrates to Tras-os Montes and Beiras, and along the coastal strip from the Minho to the Setúbal Peninsula. In Madeira, the maritime pine is 70% of the planted area.
Pinheiro bravo
The coark Oak The cork oak , cork oak , plated or sobreira is a tree of oak, southern Europe and the family from which it extracts the cork . The cork oak is along with the Maritime Pine , the most prevalent species of trees in Portugal , being more common in Alentejo Algarve coast and mountains . It is due to cork the cork has been cultivated since ancient times. The extraction of cork is not ( in general terms ) harmful to the tree , once it begins to generate new layer of "crust " with equal thickness every nine years , after which it is subjected to stripping again . The cork was also part of the natural vegetation of the Iberian Peninsula , being spontaneous in many places in Portugal and Spain, where he was, leafy forests in association with other species , The purpose of the cork is the manufacture of thermal insulation , cork fabric (clothing , accessories like bags , purses, wallets and shoes ) , sound insulation varied application materials and even aerospace, automotive and even aerospace , but is primarily used production corks for bottling wines and other liquids . Portugal is the world's largest producer of cork, the Portuguese cork is responsible for 50 % of world production .
Sobreiro
The oaks The oaks are trees that arrive to measure up to 10 feet tall. Have discolores leaves, slightly prickly in adult specimens and ovoid fruit, coated in part with scales. Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and North Africa, its wood is hard and resistant to rot and is widely used from ancient times to the present day, in residential construction (beams and columns), boats, barrels for aging wine and manufacturing tools. Even today, its wood is used as firewood and charcoal production, which remains a major source of domestic fuel in many regions settlements. Cultured in particular by their fruits, acorns. The fruits also have disinfectant properties
Azinheira
The olive tree
The olive tree is a low gnarled trunk native of the eastern Mediterranean Sea, as well as northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea. The fruit of this tree is the olive, which the man at the end of the Neolithic period, learned how to extract the oil. This oil was used as an ointment, fuel or power. What made the ​ olive tree became a revered by many people. One has to make further notes on the longevity of the trees. It is estimated that some existing olive Portugal should be more than 2500 years. Santa Iria da Azóia, Portugal, there is an olive tree already 2850 years.