mammal survey serra da estrela portugal - De Zoogdiervereniging

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA OF STUDY by: Jeroen Willemsen2.1 GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGYSerra da Estrela (“Star-Mountain”), in the central-east of Portugal, is the most western part of an east-weststretched mountain range, called the Central Range (see map 1). An area of about 100,000 hectares isdeclared a Natural Park. Serra da Estrela Natural Park is situated roughly in the area between the towns ofSeia, Gouveia, Guarda and Covilhã and holds the highest mountain peak on the Portuguese mainland. The“Torre” has an altitude of 1,993 meters above sea level. Several well-maintained roads give access to thearea, even up to the highest regions. The mountains consist mainly of granite rock, but on the slopes alsoschists can be found. In the past small and large mines have been excavated in both the granite and theschists. Water mines are usually not very large: a small tunnel of about 1,5 meters high only leads severalmeters into the ground, forming a well. However, in the area there are also old mines were once wolframwas yielded. These mines are very large; tunnels with a length of hundreds of meters can be found. Not allthe mines are easily accessible. Apart from the bramble shrubbery that bars the way, the entrance sometimesconsists of a vertical shaft that can be entered only by experienced people with professional cave explorationgear.2.2 LANDSCAPEBecause of the variety in altitude a lot of differentlandscape types can be found in Serra da Estrela.The highest parts of the Park consist of bare rockscovered with a dwarf shrub vegetation, butsometimes without any vegetation at all. Onplaces where water stagnates bogs, wet grasslandsand small lakes are formed. For hydro-electricpurposes massive dams are built, thus creatingseveral small and large water reservoirs. Thelargest reservoir of the Serra da Estrela is “LagoaComprida”, at an altitude of about 1.600 metersabove sea level. The smallest reservoirs are madeof concrete and have a surface area of only acouple of square meters. These small reservoirsare used by the helicopters of the fire departmentin case of an emergency. Lots of birds and otheranimals use these tanks to drink water and manyamphibians can be found in the water as well.One of the small bogs near Lagoa Comprida.Photo: Jeroen WillemsenThe slopes of the mountain are usually very steep. Shrub vegetation can be found here, and on the lowerparts both pine-forests and deciduous forests are present. As is the case for many parts of Portugal, theseareas are unfortunately under constant threat of fires. In recent years the entire vegetation has disappearedat some locations. However in the surroundings of Lapa dos Dinheiros a forest with very old chestnut treesstill can be found. This area is very valuable for mammals and most likely for other animals as well.Several small rivers run down the mountain, providing nature and humans with valuable water. The Lorigariver, located near the camp site, is known to be an important ecological connection between the lower partsof the park and the higher areas. Small water canals are used to lead the water to agricultural fields.Agriculture, mostly the production of potatoes and rye, takes place on small fields, which are often situatedon terraces. On suitable places vineyards can be found as well, but not all vineyards are used for theproduction of wine and port anymore.Mammal survey Serra da Estrela - Portugal 2009 11