Assessing Vegetation Heritage Value: The Alentejo Central (Portugal) as a Case Study

Teresa Batista,José Manuel De Mascarenhas,Carlos Pinto-Gomes,Paula Mendes

doi:10.3390/land10030307

Teresa Batista, José Manuel De Mascarenhas + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/land10030307

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Abstract

Vegetation natural heritage can be valued in itself, but also as a habitat for many wildlife species. This study presents a methodological essay concerning the evaluation of plant heritage, applied in Central Alentejo, in the south of Portugal. This evaluation was based on the following criteria: horizontal and vertical structure of vegetation, tree cover density, rare plant species richness, phytocenotic maturity, importance as ecological corridor, historical record, scientific and educational potential and recreational potential. The vegetation heritage value (VHV) was calculated using a linear combination of the weighted criteria. In this way it was possible to identify the most interesting areas for conservation purposes. Of the 7500 km2 analyzed, 52% are natural and semi-natural areas, and of these, 18.8% have very high VHV, 70.7% have high VHV and only 10.5% average VHV. The highest VHV areas are actually included under the protected areas of Natura 2000 sites.

Highlights

In the general concept of heritage, the emphasis on inherited goods and their conservation is important, generally encompassing elements, places and practices that have meaning in the present and that relate to the past
In the classification of heritage, it is common to make a distinction between cultural heritage [1] and natural heritage [2,3]
In relation to the natural heritage, it must be approached as a gift of nature, being composed of biotic and abiotic natural elements

Summary

Introduction

In the general concept of heritage, the emphasis on inherited goods and their conservation is important, generally encompassing elements, places and practices that have meaning in the present and that relate to the past. The first concept involves man-made artifacts and other aspects related to "culture", some of which are of an intangible nature; the second one, concerns elements not manufactured by humans. In practice, heritage is a very complex concept, in which the two components, cultural and natural, are closely linked [4], with many of its values being of a bio-cultural nature, translating an interpenetration between the two domains. Concerning its intrinsic aspects, it is mainly valued for its contribution to ecological, biological and geological processes and the relative importance of natural habitats for the conservation of biodiversity

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