The Importance of the Cork Oak Tree
INDISPENSABLE FOR HUMANS & ANIMALS ALIKE
About 34% of the world’s cork oak forests (Quercus Suber), or 736.000 hectares, are located in Portugal. These vast and breath-taking forests are emblematic for the Portuguese landscape, and responsible for the conversion of 14million tons of CO2 every year. The cork bark, which can be removed in a sustainable way, is a renewable source of exceptional material that can be used for a variety of purposes. If managed properly these amazing trees can continue to provide clean air and cork bark for up to 200 years.
However, cork oak forests play an even bigger and more important role in the ecosystem. They provide a home to countless plants and animals, including highly endangered species such as the Iberian lynx, and play a key role in keeping the ground healthy and avoiding soil erosion. Without these trees, both the biodiversity as the vital source of income of thousands of people would be endangered.
Preserving the cork oak forests therefore does not only mean safeguarding a renewable source of material but also the well-being of the entire Mediterranean region.
A WWF Priority
%
Of the world's cork forests are located in Portugal
Million tons of CO2 converted to oxygen each year
Plant & Animal species can be found per square meter
Portuguese people employed by the cork industry
Home to a Biodiversity
Caretaker of the Land
Vital Source of Income
The Fragile Cork Ecosystem
IS UNDER PRESSURE
The divers ecosystem that is enabled by cork forests is under pressure despite the clear advantages it offers. Besides the threat of illegal logging there is also the risk of mismanagement or lack of proper conservation (as 85% of the cork forest is privately owned). This while the scientific community agrees that the Iberian cork forest ecosystem requires human intervention and maintenance for its survival :
Lack of knowledge can lead to inadequate management practices such as the use of heavy machinery to control shrub encroachment but which damages soil structure and surface tree roots, pests and diseases, cohorts of trees reaching their age limit without proper replacement, etc.
A lower demand for cork products such as cork bottle stoppers (in favour of synthetic alternatives or metal screw caps) is putting the entire industry under pressure and can drive people away from the rural areas towards the cities. Leaving the cork forests without maintenance or care is not only dangerous for the equilibrium of the habitat, but also increases the risk for destructive forest fires.
Moreover, the cork forests themselves lose ground in favour of agricultural or recreational uses. This further reducing the size of an already fragile habitat, whilst risking even faster soil erosion and desertification of the whole area.
Finally, seeing the significant number of Portuguese people relying on the cork industry, there is also the risk of increased poverty in case of strong decline in the sector. This as there are not enough economic alternatives to take on the full active workforce.
The Fragile Cork Ecosystem
IS UNDER PRESSURE
The divers ecosystem that is enabled by cork forests is under pressure despite the clear advantages it offers. Besides the threat of illegal logging there is also the risk of mismanagement or lack of proper conservation (as 85% of the cork forest is privately owned). This while the scientific community agrees that the Iberian cork forest ecosystem requires human intervention and maintenance for its survival :
1. Lack of knowledge can lead to inadequate management practices such as the use of heavy machinery to control shrub encroachment but which damages soil structure and surface tree roots, pests and diseases, cohorts of trees reaching their age limit without proper replacement, etc.
2. A lower demand for cork products such as cork bottle stoppers (in favour of synthetic alternatives or metal screw caps) is putting the entire industry under pressure and can drive people away from the rural areas towards the cities. Leaving the cork forests without maintenance or care is not only dangerous for the equilibrium of the habitat, but also increases the risk for destructive forest fires.
3. Moreover, the cork forests themselves lose ground in favour of agricultural or recreational uses. This further reducing the size of an already fragile habitat, whilst risking even faster soil erosion and desertification of the whole area.
4. Finally, seeing the significant number of Portuguese people relying on the cork industry, there is also the risk of increased poverty in case of strong decline in the sector. This as there are not enough economic alternatives to take on the full active workforce.
The WWF Action Plan
THREE FOCUS POINTS
Knowledge
Combining and sharing all best practices for land maintenance with the different land owners
Recommendations
Developed in collaboration with local Portuguese universities to influence policy change and implementation
Awareness
Amongst both the cork industry as the consumer to stimulate the demand for sustainable cork bark
How Urban Design Fox helps
AND YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE
We at Urban Design Fox want to help the WWF with preserving the delicate ecosystem that is enabled by the cork oak forests. That is why we are committed to donate the resources needed to maintain this beautiful yet fragile ecosystem. Concretely, for every item that we sell we will provide the WWF with the funds to conserve 10m² of Portuguese cork oak forest. On top, by using cork in our furniture, we also positively impact the Portuguese people that rely on the industry to provide for their families.
How Urban Design Fox helps
AND YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE
We at Urban Design Fox want to help the WWF with preserving the delicate ecosystem that is enabled by the cork oak forests. That is why we are committed to donate the resources needed to maintain this beautiful yet fragile ecosystem. Concretely, for every table that we sell we will provide the WWF with the funds to conserve 10m² of Portuguese cork oak forest. On top, by using cork in our furniture, we also positively impact the Portuguese people that rely on the industry to provide for their families.
