Serra de São Mamede Natural Park is a natural park in the Serra de São Mamede range, Portugal. It is one of the 30 areas which are officially under protection in the country.
The São Mamede Range rises from the Alentejo region of Portugal, which has a strongly Mediterranean climate. At higher elevations, and particularly on slopes with northern aspects, the climate becomes more oceanic, more similar to that of far northern Portugal.
In comparison with the surrounding region, the orientation and altitude of the range result in cooler temperatures, more frequent occurrences of fog, and orographic lift that produces higher levels of precipitation.
The park's variations in topography support plants from regions of Portugal with both Mediterranean and oceanic climates. Over 800 species of plants are found within the natural park. There are extensive areas of cork oak and Pyrenean oak. Holm oak is found on xeric sites. Sweet chestnut grows at higher elevations. There are also large areas of olive, Maritime pine, and Eucalyptus plantations.
Within the area you can find the European otter, Cabrera’s vole and, mainly in the north, the Iberian lynx. The Iberian wolf also lives in the area in small numbers.
Rock Paintings of Lapa dos Gaviões
Located in the southwestern slopes of the Serra dos Louções, south limit of the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, there is a limestone in rocky shelter with monochromatic paintings in red tones and schematic outline, reproducing anthropomorphic and zoomorphic silhouettes, hand drawings and other signs. Disclosed in 1916, they are part of a set of shelters with cave paintings existing in this area.
The São Mamede Range rises from the Alentejo region of Portugal, which has a strongly Mediterranean climate. At higher elevations, and particularly on slopes with northern aspects, the climate becomes more oceanic, more similar to that of far northern Portugal.
In comparison with the surrounding region, the orientation and altitude of the range result in cooler temperatures, more frequent occurrences of fog, and orographic lift that produces higher levels of precipitation.
The park's variations in topography support plants from regions of Portugal with both Mediterranean and oceanic climates. Over 800 species of plants are found within the natural park. There are extensive areas of cork oak and Pyrenean oak. Holm oak is found on xeric sites. Sweet chestnut grows at higher elevations. There are also large areas of olive, Maritime pine, and Eucalyptus plantations.
Within the area you can find the European otter, Cabrera’s vole and, mainly in the north, the Iberian lynx. The Iberian wolf also lives in the area in small numbers.
Rock Paintings of Lapa dos Gaviões
Located in the southwestern slopes of the Serra dos Louções, south limit of the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, there is a limestone in rocky shelter with monochromatic paintings in red tones and schematic outline, reproducing anthropomorphic and zoomorphic silhouettes, hand drawings and other signs. Disclosed in 1916, they are part of a set of shelters with cave paintings existing in this area.
