A group of top biologists has launched a petition urging parliament to take immediate action to protect Portugal’s native oak trees, warning that these iconic species are vanishing under pressure from land use, logging, invasive species and monoculture farming.
Led by Maria de Jesus Silva Fernandes, president of the Order of Biologists, the group is demanding a dedicated legal framework to conserve native oak forests, which they describe as a cornerstone of the country’s natural heritage and a vital buffer against climate change.
The researchers say that despite their historical and ecological importance, oak trees are being cut down without consequence.
In a nutshell, the petition calls for four concrete measures to protect Portuguese oak trees:
- Legal recognition of the ecological and biogeographical importance of native oaks, with particular emphasis on the Portuguese oak (Quercus faginea), Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica), Galician oak (Quercus orocantabrica), and Monchique oak (Quercus canariensis);
- Establishment of clear technical criteria for their protection, conservation, and restoration;
- Implementation of compensation, incentive, and support mechanisms for conservation efforts on both private and public land;
- Recognition of the value of isolated trees and climax forests for their ecological, genetic, and heritage significance.
In a statement, the Order of Biologists adds that this is a “critical opportunity to prevent irreparable losses and invest intelligently in the protection of Portuguese biodiversity”.
