Serra de São Mamede Natural Park
Encyclopedia
Serra de São Mamede Natural Park is a natural park in Portugal
. It is one of the 30 areas which are officially under protection in the country.
. At higher elevations, and particularly on slopes with northern aspects, the climate becomes more oceanic
, more similar to that of far northern Portugal.
In comparison with the surrounding region, the orientation and altitude of the range result in cooler temperatures, more frequent occurrences of fog, and orographic lift
that produces higher levels of precipitation.
There are extensive areas of cork oak and Pyrenean oak. Holm oak is found on xeric sites. Sweet chestnut grows at higher elevations.
There are also large areas of olive, Maritime pine, and Eucalyptus
plantations.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. It is one of the 30 areas which are officially under protection in the country.
Climate
The São Mamede Range rises from the Alentejo region of Portugal, which has a strongly Mediterranean climateMediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
. At higher elevations, and particularly on slopes with northern aspects, the climate becomes more oceanic
Oceanic climate
An oceanic climate, also called marine west coast climate, maritime climate, Cascadian climate and British climate for Köppen climate classification Cfb and subtropical highland for Köppen Cfb or Cwb, is a type of climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of some of the...
, more similar to that of far northern Portugal.
In comparison with the surrounding region, the orientation and altitude of the range result in cooler temperatures, more frequent occurrences of fog, and orographic lift
Orographic lift
Orographic lift occurs when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain. As the air mass gains altitude it quickly cools down adiabatically, which can raise the relative humidity to 100% and create clouds and, under the right conditions,...
that produces higher levels of precipitation.
Flora
The park's variations in topography support plants from regions of Portugal with both Mediterranean and oceanic climates. Over 800 species of plants are found within the natural park.There are extensive areas of cork oak and Pyrenean oak. Holm oak is found on xeric sites. Sweet chestnut grows at higher elevations.
There are also large areas of olive, Maritime pine, and Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
plantations.
Fauna
Within the area you can find the European otter, Cabrera’s vole and, mainly in the north, the Iberian lynx. The Iberian wolf also lives in the area in small numbers.External links
- Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede - Geologia, Hidrologia e Clima (Portuguese)
- Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede - Flora (Portuguese)
- Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede - Fauna (Portuguese)