Montado
At Monte Silveira farm, the Montado ecosystem is the cornerstone of its sustainable agricultural practices, combining agroforestry methods with careful management of natural resources.
The Montado ecosystem is home to a rich variety of wild flora and fauna, with native plant species thriving under the canopy of cork and holm oaks. From birds and mammals to insects and reptiles, the Montado is teeming with life, creating a dynamic, interconnected web of interactions between species.
Monte Silveira’s commitment to preserving the Montado goes beyond agricultural production, encompassing conservation efforts to protect this unique ecosystem for future generations. Through sustainable management practices, including careful grazing management and reforestation initiatives, the farm ensures the continued health and vitality of the Montado, safeguarding its ecological integrity, whilst sustaining the region’s cultural heritage and economic prosperity.
What is a Montado agroforestry system?
The montado is a multifunctional system that integrates various activities. At Monte Silveira, the montado is characterised by three vegetation layers: cork oak and holm oak trees, shrubs, and pasture. In Portugal, which boasts the largest expanse of cork oak trees in the world (33% of the global area), the montado is legally protected. Cutting down cork oaks is prohibited, and sustainable management of the montado is actively encouraged.
We maintain a landscape where we regenerate the soil and focus on raising animals using natural resources, in harmony with the ecosystem and its services.
- Cork Oak and Holm Oak
- Shrubs
- Pasture
- Ecosystem
- Forestry
- Grazing
Montado silvopastoral system
The silvopastoral montado system is a practice that benefits trees, pastures, and livestock grazing.
This integrated approach aims to maximise sustainable land use, optimise production, and improve animal welfare while contributing to environmental conservation and the health of the ecosystem.
Regenerative management
In the montado, forestry and livestock grazing unite with a greater purpose: to conserve nature and promote biodiversity and ecosystem services. To achieve this, we implement sustainable ecosystem management practices.
Holm Oaks: Produce acorns, a crucial food source for livestock and wildlife.
Cork Oaks: Cork is harvested using environmentally conscious practices, preserving trees, ecosystems, and natural resources.
Pastures: Serve as a primary source of feed for livestock.
Goats and wildlife help remove excess vegetation and prevent wildfires, replacing mechanical labour. This fosters carbon sequestration and provides economic and environmental benefits beyond conventional forestry practices.
Animals are managed in a controlled manner to naturally fertilise and regenerate the soil, playing an essential role in maintaining and sustaining the health of the montado ecosystem.
Rotational grazing
Rotational grazing is a pasture management approach that focuses on soil health, biodiversity, and the sustainable production of food through the controlled rotation of animals. Unlike conventional methods, rotational grazing considers not only the impact of animals on pastures but also the resting periods for the areas, the diversity of animal and plant species, and the natural cycle of the ecosystem.
The holistic approach promotes harmony between production and ecosystem health.