Get to know the Habitat
Zambujo: the riches of Quercus rotundifolia forests
As the Zambujo reCover project advances – a project focused on the ecological renovation of Zambujo, an estate managed by The Navigator Company and located in Idanha-a-Nova, in the heart of the International Tagus Natural Park – we get to know in more detail both its habitats and the existing fauna and flora. Discover one of the most prominent habitats: Habitat 9340 – “Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia Forests pt1”, a Habitat of Community Interest (HIC).
Mediterranean temporary ponds are life-giving oases
If you spot pools of water in an unusual place, in dry or sandy areas for example, it is likely to be a temporary pond. Although water is an ephemeral presence, it is vital to maintain Mediterranean temporary ponds as valuable oases of biodiversity.
Zambujo reCover: ecological restoration in the International Tagus Natural Park
Increasing the environmental value of the natural and semi-natural forest habitats of Zambujo, a Navigator property located in Idanha-a-Nova, in the heart of the International Tagus Natural Park, is the aim of the Zambujo reCover initiative, which will undertake the ecological restoration of an area equivalent to about 150 football pitches.
Old chestnut trees are a haven for biodiversity
At the end of October, the spiky cupules of chestnut trees (Castanea sativa), which resemble small hedgehogs, have already begun to fall. Inside them, the much sought-after chestnuts can be found. This is the case in the mountainous regions of Portugal, especially in the central and northern parts of the country, where the old chestnut trees provide shelter for dozens of species, including rare plants, birds of prey, and highly prized mushrooms.
Juniper Forests
When we speak of juniper forests in mainland Portugal, we are referring to the groves and scrubland where various trees and bushes of the Juniperus genus can be seen. These species are able to grow on rocky cliffs and in sandy and stony soils, where many others are unable to survive.