Cork oak landscapes across Portugal, Spain and North Africa—known as montado (Portugal) and dehesa (Spain)—are human‑managed agro‑silvo‑pastoral systems that blend woodlands, grazing, and small‑scale agriculture, and are widely recognised for high biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Montado/dehesa systems cover ~2.3 million ha in Spain and ~737,000 ha in Portugal, with cork oak (Quercus suber) and holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia) forming the tree layer over a mosaic of pasture and shrubs.

Biodiversity hotspot
Scientific syntheses describe montado/dehesa as High Nature Value farming systems with exceptional species richness driven by landscape heterogeneity and low‑intensity management.

Industry and NGO summaries often cite indicative figures for Portugal’s cork oak forests: ~24 species of reptiles/amphibians, >160 bird species, and ~37 mammal species using these habitats (sometimes expressed as “~60% of Portugal’s mammals”). While such counts are context‑dependent and vary by site and method, they reflect the broad wildlife value of cork oak landscapes.

Ecosystem services
Cork oak wood‑pastures contribute to water infiltration, erosion control, desertification prevention, and carbon storage—roles emphasised by programme documents and reviews.

Cork oak woodlands and the wider montado/dehesa mosaic provide important habitat for many Mediterranean species, including several that are globally threatened. While these animals are not confined exclusively to cork forests, these landscapes form a significant part of their range and support their survival by maintaining food sources, shelter, and ecological connectivity.

Below are five notable species whose conservation is linked to well-managed cork oak systems:

Cork oak landscapes form an important part of the Iberian lynx’s range within the Mediterranean scrub mosaic, but they are not its exclusive habitat. The Iberian lynx was once considered the most endangered feline in the world, with numbers collapsing to around 62 mature individuals in 2001.

Thanks to joint conservation programmes in Spain and Portugal, the species has made a remarkable recovery. As of the 2024 census, there are 2,401 lynx in total, including 1,557 adults and 470 breeding females—a dramatic improvement from early 2000s figures. The IUCN Red List reclassified the species from Endangered to Vulnerable in June 2024.

Despite progress, threats remain: road collisions, habitat fragmentation, rabbit population declines, and disease continue to challenge long‑term viability. Conservation initiatives, such as the Iberian Lynx Programme, demonstrate that sustainable cork harvesting can coexist with habitat protection, supporting both local economies and biodiversity.

Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus)

Cork oak landscapes are part of the Iberian wolf’s range, though the species occupies a broader mix of Mediterranean forests and scrub. Once heavily persecuted, the Iberian wolf is now the largest wolf population in Western Europe.

In the early 2000s, numbers were critically low in southern Iberia, and that isolated population is now considered regionally extinct. However, conservation efforts have stabilised and increased numbers in the north. Today, there are an estimated 2,000–2,500 wolves in Spain and 250–300 in Portugal, mostly north of the Douro River. Based on pack structure, this equates to roughly 1,200–1,500 mature adults. The overall trend is increasing, particularly in north-western Spain, though Portugal’s southern population remains fragmented and vulnerable.

Despite progress, threats persist: habitat fragmentation, illegal hunting and poisoning, road collisions, and loss of wild prey continue to challenge long-term survival. Conservation programmes aim to balance wolf protection with rural livelihoods, showing that sustainable land use—including cork harvesting—can coexist with biodiversity goals.

Atlas Deer / Barbary Stag (Cervus elaphus barbarus)

The Atlas Deer, also known as the Barbary Stag, is native to North Africa, where it inhabits mountainous forests in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. These habitats often include cork oak and cedar woodlands, making cork oak ecosystems vital for its survival in the region.

After local extinction in Morocco, the species was reintroduced to Tazekka National Park in 1994, but populations remain small and fragmented. There is no precise adult population estimate, and the overall trend is declining, despite conservation efforts.

Major threats include habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, forest fires, and isolated populations, which reduce genetic diversity and increase extinction risk. Protecting cork oak forests in North Africa is essential to maintaining the remaining populations of this rare deer.

Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti)

The Spanish Imperial Eagle is one of Europe’s rarest raptors and an important species in Mediterranean ecosystems, including areas with cork oak woodlands. Once on the brink of extinction, with only 30 breeding pairs in the 1960s, the species has made a remarkable recovery thanks to intensive conservation efforts.

Today, the population is estimated at around 970–1,100 mature individuals, with over 820 breeding pairs recorded in 2021. The overall trend is increasing, and the eagle has successfully recolonised parts of Portugal after decades of absence. Its global conservation status remains Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Despite progress, threats persist: habitat loss, electrocution and collisions with pylons and power lines, and declines in prey species such as rabbits continue to impact survival. Ongoing measures—such as retrofitting power lines, habitat protection, and prey management—are essential to secure the future of this iconic bird.

Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus)

The Barbary Macaque is the only macaque species found outside Asia and the only non-human primate living naturally in Europe. It is native to Morocco and Algeria, where it inhabits mountain forests dominated by cork oak and cedar, and there is also a small introduced population in Gibraltar.

The species is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. There is no precise adult population estimate, but numbers are declining and populations are severely fragmented across its range. The overall trend is decreasing, with ongoing concern for long-term survival.

Major threats include habitat loss and degradation, illegal poaching and capture for the pet trade, overgrazing by livestock, and road collisions. Fragmentation further reduces genetic diversity and increases vulnerability. Protecting cork oak forests in North Africa is critical to maintaining viable populations of this unique primate.

The common thread linking all these vulnerable and endangered species is the loss and fragmentation of habitat. Cork oak landscapes—whether in Iberia or North Africa—play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity while supporting traditional rural economies.

Cork oak forests are a rare example of how wildlife conservation and sustainable land use can coexist. They provide shelter and food for countless species, while offering local communities a renewable source of income through cork harvesting. These landscapes also deliver vital ecosystem services, including water retention, soil conservation, fire prevention, and carbon sequestration.

Choosing cork products helps sustain these habitats. Cork is a natural, renewable material harvested without felling trees, making it one of the most sustainable resources available. From flooring and wall coverings to craft sheets and wine stoppers, cork offers versatile uses that support both people and nature.
Learn more about cork and its benefits: What Is Cork?
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