FORESTS IN PORTUGAL,    FORESTS IN EUROPE

Forests provide a diverse range of goods and services of economic, environmental, recreational and cultural importance in a world growing increasingly urbanized, artificial and affected by large environmental impacts.

Portuguese forest occupies 3,541 million hectares, accounting for 38% of the country territory. Followed by 33% of agricultural and 21% of scrubs occupancy (IFN, 2005/06)^[2]. Nevertheless, forests still have growth potential, with the possible conversion of some scrubs and agriculture areas into forest areas. The value of Portuguese forests - wood, cork, fruits and seeds, rosin, honey, wild fruits and mushrooms, game, fishery, carbon storage, biomass for energy and protection is estimated at 1.17 million Euros. And the total economic value of losses, forests fires, pests and diseases, is estimated at 394 million Euros (Estratégia Nacional para as Florestas, 2006)^[3].

According to the latest National Forest Inventory (AFN, 2005/06), the Portuguese main forest species are: Maritime Pine (27%), Eucalyptus (23%), Cork Oak (23%), Holm Oak (13%), Stone Pine (4%), Oaks (5%), Sweet Chestnut (1%), other coniferous (1%) and broadleaved trees (3%)^[4].