Silvicultural production in 'montado'. Analysis and reflection about the sustainable management in cork oak 'montados'

Abstract

Montados are systems where several productions are in dynamic equilibrium both in space and time. This spatial and temporal organisation enabled the system maintenance by the hazard control of each production, which is related with the climatic variability of the Mediterranean climate.

The montados are characteristic of the south of Portugal, where the cork oak is the mostly frequent. In the cork oak montados the main production is cork, mostly associated with grazing and/or agriculture. It should also be stated the important role of the montado in the soil and water conservation, habitat and biodiversity conservation and amenities.

The maintenance of the montado productive potential is associated to their resilience, which is especially dependent on the soil. The identification system fragilities allow pointing out guide lines for the sustainable management of the cork oak montados