CORK: AN ENVIRONMENTAL SPLENDOR

    

    A great and magnificent phenomenon of the Mediterranean Basin, is the cork tree; Quercus Suber L. Cork trees are ecological marvels that are found in the western Mediterranean; the majority of them are in the countries of Portugal and Spain.

     Cork trees have been around for millions of years and one tree can live over 200 years. A few of their uses began in 3000 BC where they was used to seal amphorae. They were also used in floating rafts around 400 BC in the Tigress River and used in newer applications such as cork paper in 1880’s Germany.

     Cork trees in Spain can be found in DEHESAS. A DEHESA is a multifunctional area of land known as an agro-silvo-pastoral system in Spain that integrates pastureland not only used for grazing, but also provides a variety of foods and livestock production, and is an important habitat for a variety of animals.

     Dehesas in Spain can be found in Extremadura. The trees that are found in this area are Cork and Holm Oaks; the significant being the cork tree for the conservation of biodiversity. Many animals (fauna) and flora are depended of it and can be found in and around cork forests.

      Cork forests are part of a perfectly-balanced ecosystem. The endangered Iberian Lynx (the feline most threatened in the world) and the Iberian Eagle make their home and survive around these trees.

Due to its importance, the WORLDWIDEFUND has classified the Quercus Suber as a Priority Species.

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/cork_oak/

 “WWF is focusing efforts on a select group of priority species that are especially important, either for their ecosystem...

·       Species forming a key element of the food chain

·       Species which help the stability or regeneration of habitats

·       Species demonstrating broader conservation needs
...or for people

·       Species important for the health and livelihoods of local communities

·       Species exploited commercially

·       Species that are important cultural icons.”

Other notable facts are that:

·      They have adapted to survive in the harsh summer droughts in these areas.

·        Its bark is elastic, impermeable, light and the only one that regenerates after being stripped from the tree, making the tree itself sustainable.

·      Cork can be harvested only after the tree is 25 years old. After that, by law, can only be harvested every 9 years or so.

·      It has the ability to absorb carbon dioxide and clean the air. A stripped tree can absorb 5 times more carbon dioxide.

·      Cork is a natural insulator and is fire retardant.

·      Cork is 100% recyclable and reusable.

·      Cork bottle stoppers are the best for preserving wines. However, cork is also used in furniture, floors, windmills and even in NASA’s space shuttles and aeronautics.

·      The cork tree is also being threatened by climate change.

                                                                                          Cork Surfboard

                Cork Purse

Proyecto Extremadura hopes that we can continue planting cork trees in Burguillos del Cerro and other areas of Extremadura, and hopefully into Portugal.

Below is a video with more information on the amazing cork tree. It is from a company in Portugal. Hence, the Portuguese MONTADOS are the equivalent of the Spanish DEHESAS.

Proyecto Extremadura