Montado Changes

Spatio-temporal analysis of montado cover dynamics in southern Portugal: the influence of anthropogenic and natural disturbances

A study by researchers from MED (Labscape) analysed changes in montado cover across southern Portugal between 2006 and 2018, revealing the continued decline of this agroforestry system of high ecological and socio-economic value.

The findings show that wildfires, canopy openings caused by tree mortality, and the expansion of intensive agriculture are the main drivers of montado loss and fragmentation. The research highlights the importance of monitoring this ecosystem to support its conservation and presents the results through an interactive dashboard, enabling users to explore the main changes identified in a dynamic and accessible way.