Multi Level Monitoring System for Cork Oak (Quercus Suber L.) Stands in Portugal

Abstract

Cork oak stands occupy about 22% (750000 ha) of the Portuguese forest area with a relevant economic importance. They are managed in agro-silvo-pasture systems whose sustainability depends on balanced relations between their components. An integrated multilevel monitoring procedure was created in order to understand the system dynamics, with the following components: (i) aerial photography: crown cover diachronic studies, single tree spatial structure modelling; (i) stand: stand dendrometrics, soil and climate monitoring; (iii) tree: growth modelling in mature and young trees, with individual spatial information. The monitoring components as well as the available results are presented.