Bussaco Forest - Portugal
Posted by: 
tmob
N 40° 22.669 W 008° 21.670
29T E 554228 N 4469888
The Buçaco National Forest is situated in the far north-west of the Serra do Buçaco, in the municipality of Mealhada.
Waymark Code: WMDK0W
Location: Aveiro, Portugal
Date Posted: 01/23/2012
Views: 6
«The unique characteristics of the Buçaco National Forest derive from the time that the Discalced Carmelites spent here, living in their “Desert”. Still containing areas of native Portuguese woodland, the forest was worked upon by successive generations of friars who sought to represent Mount Carmel as the origin of their Order. Protected both by the Carmelites and their benefactors, it also received protection from the Holy See to prevent the cutting and clearing of trees by the local populations.
Today, it is a living laboratory and an important object of study for various Portuguese universities.
The Buçaco National Forest is situated in the far north-west of the Serra do Buçaco, in the municipality of Mealhada. Its geographical location at an altitude of 549 metres gives it a very particular microclimate, with mild temperatures, high rainfall levels and frequent morning mists, favouring a high rate of biodiversity. The exposed southern slopes have a greater predominance of typically Mediterranean evergreen vegetation, with the northern slopes displaying the deciduous vegetation typical of a temperate climate.
Currently occupying an area of 105 hectares and endowed with one of Europe’s finest collections of trees, it contains roughly 250 different species of trees and shrubs, including some quite remarkable examples. It is one of the richest National Forests in terms of natural, architectural and cultural heritage, and can be divided into three different landscape areas: the Arboretum; the Gardens and the Valley of Ferns; and the Relict Forest.»
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