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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The cork oak (Quercus suber L.) woodlands, known as montados in Portugal, hold significant
economic, cultural, social, and environmental value. They are found in the Mediterranean Sea
basin, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula, and sustain various activities like silvopastoralism, with
cork being a primary product. Despite its economic significance, challenges such as climate change
threaten its sustainability. This study aimed to analyze the edaphoclimatic variables affecting cork
yield, thickness, price, and gross income in the Alentejo region of Portugal. A total of 35 farmers
were selected for the data collection included in this study. Multivariable linear regressions were
performed to establish relationships between cork yield, thickness, price, and gross income as
dependent variables, various edaphoclimatic factors, and tree densities. A higher tree density
correlates with an increased cork yield but a decreased cork thickness. Soil pH affects cork yield
and thickness, with a lower pH favoring higher cork yields but thinner cork. A higher clay and silt
content in horizon soil C enhances cork thickness and raises the price but reduces the cork yield.
Higher accumulated precipitation and temperatures contribute to higher yields and thicknesses of
cork. It is concluded that the relationships between the dependent and the independent variables
are complex but partially explainable. Understanding these relationships is paramount to ensure
sustainable management practices are adopted that are capable of addressing issues raised in the
current context of climate change.
Description
Keywords
Agroforestry Cork thickness Cork oak Cork yield Soil Montado Suber
Citation
Mata, F. & Dos-Santos, M. (2024). Modeling cork yield, thickness, price, and gross income in the portuguese cork oak montado. Forests, 15(12), 2163. https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122163
Publisher
MDPI