Land use
Site 1: forest, consisting dominantly of Pinus pinaster, with some Eucalyptus globulus. An important part was burned recently and gave way to regeneration stands and shrubs, where the regeneration failed. Present activities involve reforestation programmes.
Site 2: pasture, dense shrubland, subject to prescribed fire from time to time. Land abandonment and neglect. Land use is mainly extensive grazing shrubland at the Vale Torto site.
Site 3: vegetation cover and land use are very similar to Vale Torto (Site 2)
Site 4: plantations of Pinus pinaster and Eucalyptus globulus. The catchment was burnt in September 2009. The former trees are on unmodified slopes whereas the latter are planted on simple bench terraces carved into the slopes using heavy machinery.
