Protected areas of Portugal
Encyclopedia
The protected areas of Portugal include one national park, 13 natural parks, nine natural reserves, seven protected landscapes, five natural monuments, seven classified places and two specially designated areas.
Two extensive areas of Portugal have been designated as Geopark
s on account of their outstanding geological heritage. Arouca and Naturtejo are member Geoparks of the European Geoparks Network
and the UNESCO
Global Network of National Geoparks. Though not statutory designations under Portuguese or European law, membership of these networks affords additional protection to the geological heritage of the areas.
Several places in Portugal (national parks, natural parks, reserves or protected landscapes) are protected under the European Natura 2000
programme, designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe.
The national park, Peneda-Gerês National Park
is located in the extreme north of Portugal. The park has a wide variety of oak
and mixed forests, with rare habitats, grove
s, peat bogs, and diversebushes
. The Golden Eagle
, the Eagle Owl
, the Honey Buzzard
, and the Whinchat
are some of the 147 Portuguese birds that can be found in Gerês. Along with the Pine Marten
, the Stoat
, the Wolf, the brown bear, the wild goat, the adders (Vipera latastei
and Vipera seoanei
) and a number of squirrel
species.
The Serra da Estrela Natural Park
in central Portugal, with its extensive valleys and turf soils, and the Arrábida Natural Park in the Setúbal Peninsula
with its Mediterranean character and the sand varieties of its beaches unveil the ecological variety of Portugal.
The Natural Park of Madeira protects a very rare type of subtropical rainforest (Laurissilva), and has been designated a UNESCO heritage site. In addition to this special area, the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores have several areas designated under protection for species and habitat conservation.
The Tapada Nacional de Mafra
is conspicuous, due to its rich flora and fauna. The Tapada was created in the reign of King John V for the royal delight of the monarch, as a hunting preserve. With an area of 8 km² the park included species of stag
, boar
, fox
, rapine birds and several other species. Today, the Tapada is classified as a national hunting zone .
Two extensive areas of Portugal have been designated as Geopark
Geopark
A Geopark is defined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in its UNESCO Geoparks International Network of Geoparks programme as follows:...
s on account of their outstanding geological heritage. Arouca and Naturtejo are member Geoparks of the European Geoparks Network
European Geoparks Network
The European Geoparks Network, often known as the EGN, is a trans-national partnership of Geoparks across Europe formed in 2000 to provide mutual support to established and prospective Geoparks across the continent...
and the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
Global Network of National Geoparks. Though not statutory designations under Portuguese or European law, membership of these networks affords additional protection to the geological heritage of the areas.
Several places in Portugal (national parks, natural parks, reserves or protected landscapes) are protected under the European Natura 2000
Natura 2000
Natura 2000 is an ecological network of protected areas in the territory of the European Union.-Origins:In May 1992, the governments of the European Communities adopted legislation designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. This legislation is called the...
programme, designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe.
 |
|
| Peneda-Gerês | |
| Corno do Bico | Montesinho |
| Lagoa de Bertiandos e São Pedro de Arco | Albufeira de Azibo |
| Litoral norte | Alvão |
| Dunas de São Jacinto | Douro Internacional |
| Paul de Arzila | |
| Montes de Santa Olaia e Ferrestelo | Serra da Estrela |
| Serras de Aire e Candeeiros | Serra da Malcata |
| Monte de São Bartolomeu | Serra do Açor |
| Berlengas | Tejo internacional |
| Serra de Montejunto | Pegadas de Dinossauros |
| C. Lapiaz da Granja dos Serrões | Paul do Boquilobo |
| Granja dos Serrões e Negrais | Serra de São Mamede |
| Açude da Agolada | |
| Sintra-Cascais | Centro Histórico de Coruche |
| Carenque | Açude do Monte da Barca |
| Arriba Fóssil da C. Caparica | Estuário do Tejo |
| Pedreira do Avelino | Estuário do Sado |
| Lagosteiros | Lagoa de St. André e Sancha |
| Pedra da Mua | Vale do Guadiana |
| Gruta do Zambujal | Fonte Benémola |
| Arrábida | S.C.Marim-V.R.S. António |
| Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina | Ria Formosa Ria Formosa The Ria Formosa lagoon, located in Algarve, in southern Portugal, is a system of barrier islands that communicates with the sea through 6 inlets. Five of these inlets are natural and have mobility characteristics... |
| Rocha da Pena e Fonte Benémola |
The national park, Peneda-Gerês National Park
Peneda-Gerês National Park
The Peneda-Gerês National Park , also known simply as Gerês, is the only national park in Portugal...
is located in the extreme north of Portugal. The park has a wide variety of oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
and mixed forests, with rare habitats, grove
Grove (nature)
A grove is a small group of trees with minimal or no undergrowth, such as a sequoia grove, or a small orchard planted for the cultivation of fruits or nuts...
s, peat bogs, and diversebushes
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
. The Golden Eagle
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
, the Eagle Owl
Eurasian Eagle Owl
The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is a species of eagle owl resident in much of Eurasia. It is also one of the largest types of owls.-Description:The Eagle Owl is a large and powerful bird, smaller than the Golden Eagle but larger than the Snowy Owl...
, the Honey Buzzard
Honey Buzzard
The European Honey Buzzard , is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers....
, and the Whinchat
Whinchat
The Whinchat Saxicola rubetra is a small migratory passerine bird breeding in Europe and western Asia and wintering in Africa.Its scientific name means "small rock-dweller", in reference to its habitat...
are some of the 147 Portuguese birds that can be found in Gerês. Along with the Pine Marten
Pine Marten
The European Pine Marten , known most commonly as the pine marten in Anglophone Europe, and less commonly also known as Pineten, baum marten, or sweet marten, is an animal native to Northern Europe belonging to the mustelid family, which also includes mink, otter, badger, wolverine and weasel. It...
, the Stoat
Stoat
The stoat , also known as the ermine or short-tailed weasel, is a species of Mustelid native to Eurasia and North America, distinguished from the least weasel by its larger size and longer tail with a prominent black tip...
, the Wolf, the brown bear, the wild goat, the adders (Vipera latastei
Vipera latastei
Vipera latastei is a venomous viper species found in extreme southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.-Description:...
and Vipera seoanei
Vipera seoanei
Vipera seoanei is a venomous viper species found in extreme southwestern France and the northern regions of Spain and Portugal. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate race described here.-Description:...
) and a number of squirrel
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
species.
The Serra da Estrela Natural Park
Serra da Estrela Natural Park
Serra da Estrela Natural Park is situated in the largest mountain range in Portugal - the Serra da Estrela, and is the source of the rivers Mondego, Zêzere , and Alva. The park is the largest natural conservation area in Portugal and occupies about 1,000 km². More than half of its area is located...
in central Portugal, with its extensive valleys and turf soils, and the Arrábida Natural Park in the Setúbal Peninsula
Setúbal Peninsula
Setúbal Peninsula is a peninsula in Portugal. The Portuguese language name is Península de Setúbal and gives its name to Península de Setúbal Subregion which coves more than only the peninsula....
with its Mediterranean character and the sand varieties of its beaches unveil the ecological variety of Portugal.
The Natural Park of Madeira protects a very rare type of subtropical rainforest (Laurissilva), and has been designated a UNESCO heritage site. In addition to this special area, the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores have several areas designated under protection for species and habitat conservation.
The Tapada Nacional de Mafra
Tapada Nacional de Mafra
The Tapada Nacional de Mafra was created in Mafra, Portugal, during the reign of king João V, following the building of the Mafra National Palace, as a park for royal and court recreation....
is conspicuous, due to its rich flora and fauna. The Tapada was created in the reign of King John V for the royal delight of the monarch, as a hunting preserve. With an area of 8 km² the park included species of stag
STAG
STAG: A Test of Love is a reality TV show hosted by Tommy Habeeb. Each episode profiles an engaged couple a week or two before their wedding. The cameras then follow the groom on his bachelor party...
, boar
Boar
Wild boar, also wild pig, is a species of the pig genus Sus, part of the biological family Suidae. The species includes many subspecies. It is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig, an animal with which it freely hybridises...
, fox
Fox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
, rapine birds and several other species. Today, the Tapada is classified as a national hunting zone .