Portugal - Atlas do Ambiente II.10 - Carta de Distribuição de Pinheiro Bravo e Pinheiro Silvestre

Summary

The Chart of the Distribution of pine woodlands and groves was based on elements collected from the «Preparation Chart» for the Agriculture and Forestry Chart in the scale 1:250 000, worked out by the Agrarian Survey and Land-Use Planning Service, now a National Center. The criteria followed for this chart of the Atlas are defined, the various woodland types of the Maritime Pine being represented, namely the pure woodlands, the mixed woodlands (dominant or dominated), and the scattered ones, mention being made of the smallest areas mapped. The morphological characterization of both pine species (Pinus pinaster and P. sylvestris) is briefty made. The pronounced polymorphism of these species is mentioned to distinguish subspecies and varieties. Their chorological distribution in Portugal is described, together with orographical, ecological and pedological information. The natural arboreal pine formations are limited to some relic Scots pine groves on the highest mountains. The anthropic woodlands of the Maritime pine occupy today large degraded areas mostly on.the seaside dunes and plains and on the mountain slopes as well, corresponding, respectively, to the alliances Coremion, Quercion fagineo-suberis and Quercion robori-pyrenaicae. Finally, the emphasis is put on their valuable products such as timber and resin, and on their extensive cultivation, contributing to the soil protection and the scenic beauty of vast areas, both on the plains and the hillsides.