Vale da Aveleira Bio-Reserve
The Vale da Aveleira (Hazelnut Tree Valley) Integral Bio-Reserve, located in the Lousã mountain range, occupies a special place among the various Milvoz Bio-Reserves, not only because it has the largest area (around 70 hectares), but also because it contains a range of natural values that are unique and relevant on a national and even international scale. It contains a set of five steep valleys and schist soils, which have not been affected by the presence or impact of humans for several decades. It remained equally safe from the successive fires that have ravaged the region in recent times. This area consists of ancient forests, and diverse habitats. The valleys are highly influenced by their humidity and hence have species typical of Atlantic climates. On the other hand, the Mediterranean forest dominates in the higher areas and in the rocky ridges.
There is a huge variety of fauna and flora, as well as fungi, lichens and mosses.
Of particular interest are the chestnut groves with dozens of centuries-old trees, untouched strawberry trees and relict forests of Portuguese laurel. There are also holm oaks, English oaks, hollies, wild cherry trees, and, of course, several hazelnut trees, among a multitude of other native plants. In terms of fauna, it is a privileged refuge for emblematic Portuguese species, such as forest birds, mesocarnivores and ungulates, as well as reptiles and amphibians, and several Iberian endemic species are to be noted. Iconic species such as the red deer, the roe deer, the short-toed snake eagle, the white-throated dipper, the golden-striped salamander, the Iberian emerald lizard and the Lataste's viper can be highlighted. A wide range of other living creatures thrive in this protected space, and many of them are yet to be catalogued. This is truly a rare sample of a mature native forest in a remarkable state of conservation.
Along the valleys, we can find several streams whose flow is highly dependent on rainfall. These streams drain into the Ribeira Maior, a course of permanent and turbulent waters, which over the centuries have carved out rocky canyons and cliffs, making waterfalls abundant.
In view of the importance of the habitats found here, Milvoz decided to designate this area as an ‘Integral Bio-Reserve’ since, according to the Portuguese legislation regulating integral reserves of public protected areas: ‘Integral reserves are sites whose objective is to maintain natural processes in an undisturbed state and to preserve ecologically representative examples in a dynamic and evolving state, and where human presence is only permitted for reasons of scientific research or environmental monitoring’ (Dec. Lei 19/93).
However, in order to make it possible for visitors to get to know and enjoy this haven of scenic beauty and biodiversity, Milvoz is developing audio-visual media, as well as creating two trails in the areas surrounding the Bio-Reserve, which will allow its observation from the outside, but also enable a direct contact with other places that are an excellent sample of the natural values that exist within it.
Given this wealth of life and its remarkable state of conservation, Milvoz carries out environmental management of these habitats in order to guarantee the preservation of the existing native forest, the maintenance of the identity of the landscape and the safeguarding of all the biodiversity that depends on it. The control of invasive plant species in adjacent areas is a priority action to fight the greatest threat to the conservation of the natural values present here. Since August 2022, Milvoz has been the responsible for this natural area, for a period of 30 years, through a contract established with the owners of this territory to guarantee its preservation, monitoring and environmental management.