V.C. (Vanda) de Carvalho Acácio: “The dynamics of cork oak systems in Portugal: the role of ecological and land use factors”

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17 Nov 2009 16:00
Unit: Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr.ir. G.M.J. Mohren (Forestecology and Forest Management)
Promotor: Prof.dr. F.C. Rego (Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal)
Co Promotor: Dr. M. Holmgren

 This thesis analyses the role of ecology (fire, topography and cork oak regeneration) and land use (human use and cork oak management) on the dynamics, resilience and sustainability of cork oak ecosystems in southern Portugal. It is concluded that shrublands are substituting cork oak forests on degraded soils and in dry areas, where conditions for forest recovery are extremely hostile. In the shrublands, cork oak regeneration is further restricted. As a result of shrub encroachment, fire risk increases, which is further exacerbated by increased drought due to climate change. Thus, the future of the traditional cork oak land use system is severely threatened by loss of ecological as well as social and economic resilience. Environmental change combined with lack of investment and low profit, lead to neglect of regeneration management, rendering cork oak land use systems in the study area unsustainable. To maintain and restore these vulnerable traditional land use systems, adequate management actions and restoration programs will need to be implemented shortly.
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