| Popis: |
Different ethnographic methodologies provided information about the most important and useful woody plants of Montesinho Natural Park (PNM) and a semi-quantitative approach to document the relative importance (IR index) of each species mentioned. Biogeographically in the limit of the Mediterranean and Eurosiberian zones, the PNM have singular geomorphological, climatic and ecological characteristics promoting a great diversity of habitats, flora and fauna. Moreover, many vegetation types and plant communities are still similar to the primitive plant cover that dominated the north of the country for thousands years (i.e. deciduous forest domain). Overall, about 50 woody species from the woodlands or scrublands were reported having been used for different purposes and applications since a long time (e.g. fuel, handicrafts, agricultural technology and equipment, building, furniture and domestic tools, traditional medicine, local gastronomy, fodder, manure, land management, and other). Thirty-eight species were considered important combustible materials. Twenty-two plant species were mentioned to be used for basketry, brooms and plaited artefacts. Among the top ten presenting the highest IR index (which combines the highest citation frequency, number of uses and versatility) are oak-trees, chestnut, narrow-leafed ash, elm, black-alder, walnut, wild cherry and a heather species, so-called “torga”. |
