At the Terra das Freiras pilot farm, part of the LIFE ScrubsNet project, a significant presence of natural cork oak regeneration has been identified in the area selected for intervention. This resource is key to ensuring the future viability of the montado, an ecosystem of high ecological, economic and cultural value.
In order to safeguard natural regeneration before clearing and correcting the soil with dolomitic limestone, most of the young trees in the area of action, covering some 13 hectares, were marked and protected.
The main measure was the installation of grazing exclusion cages, made of solar mesh, to protect the most vulnerable saplings. The density of protection reached an average of 10 individuals per hectare, ensuring that young trees can grow without the risk of being damaged by livestock.
Thanks to this strategy, the area can continue to be used for livestock farming, while ensuring the future viability of the montado, consolidating a balance between production and conservation.
? With actions such as this, LIFE ScrubsNet demonstrates that active and sustainable land management is possible, promoting the coexistence of agricultural and livestock activities and the restoration of Mediterranean ecosystems.
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