Portuguese forestry

Forest area

In the country of Portugal, extensive areas of the total land surface are dedicated to forestry and cultivation of forest resources. About 38% of the total land area is dedicated to forestry which is again much more than the estimated area which is devoted for agriculture and farming purposes. The forest area of Portugal is divided into two separate zones. These include a planted area which is made up of the maritime pine trees and eucalyptus while the other section comprises of the indigenous variety comprising of holm oak trees and cork oak trees. The huge expanse of land in Portugal which is devoted to forest cover is occupied mostly by the maritime pine trees followed by eucalyptus plantation and cork oak and holm oak. It is interesting to note how these native products are instrumental in facilitating forest conservation and maintaining the ecological balance of the forest environment. A notable example in this case is the holm oak trees which are considered to be important stabilizers of the dry agrosilvopastoral ecosystems thus aiding in preventing the destruction of trees.

It is to be noted that in Portugal one of the dominant causes for the loss of forest resources are the wildfires that are quite common and it has been seen in a particular year, there has been an alarming amount of 30,000 forest fires which is frightening. While this is a major cause for destruction of forest area, the absence of proper measures and safeguards against this natural disaster further aggravates this problem. However, in recent times, it must be pointed out, extensive measures are being devised by forming public opinion and spreading awareness and thus preserve the natural resources.

In recent times afforestation is a prominent measure introduced to preserve the existing forest area and increase it as well and the policies of the European Union Regulations, it can be estimated that the forest cover in Portugal is in the process of expansion annually.