The application of the Habitats Directive in Portugal

• Author(s): Costa, J.C. ; Monteiro-Henriques, T. ; Neto, C. ; Arsénio, P. ; Aguiar, C.
• Date: 2007
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/5399
• Origin: Repositório da UTL
• Subject(s): habitats directive; nature conservation; Portugal
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

A succinct review of the application of the Habitats Directive in Portugal is presented. Since 1971 until 2000 Portugal has defined approximately 8,8% of its territory as national protected areas. With the application of the Habitats Directive nature conservation policies extended to more than 17,4 % of the territory increasing by 98% and the knowledge on vegetation community’s habitats was certainly deepened. Including special protection areas (Birds Directive) the Portuguese territory under one or more conservation status totals 21,5%. Finally, the support given by the Portuguese Phytosociology Association – ALFA in the detailed description of the Directive habitats is divulged, showing the importance, usefulness and efficacy of phytosociologic studies.