1 - Geology and soils
Monsanto Hills (Serra de Monsanto) are composed of a central nucleus of limestone, involved by a mantle of basalt. Both the limestone and the basalts, were explored in several stone-pits. The first ones originated the famous Lias, and the second ones were used for paving many streets in Lisbon.
While limestone originated poor soils, usually occupied by stone-pits, basalt originated rich soils, used for many years to cultivate cereals.
2 - The climate
The climate at the Park can be classified as Maritime Temperate, due to the relatively low thermic amplitude and, although rare, Summer rains.
Some general data:
- Minimum temperature rarely below 0º Celsius, rarely reaching a maximum temperature of 40º Celsius.
- Total annual precipitation usually varying between 600 and 800 mm.
- Frost not frequent.
- Wind dominating from the northern quadrant at an average speed of 17,9 KPH
Today, The Forest Park of Monsanto is a shelter for several species of fauna, both for the ones surviving a strong human presence, and for the ones searching for a place for support during their migratory routes. The Park has become essential for the survival of a large part of the fauna appearing in the city groves of trees, that seek the Park for shelter, food and mating.
Birds attract the visitor's attention the most. The recent increase in diversity of flora and the availability of water in Summer are responsible for an increasing variety of species and number of opulations, namely in the area of the Ecological Park.
Some of the species that can be seen at the park:
REPTILES
Ordinary name Scientific name Horseshoe whip Snake Coluber hipocrepis Green lizard Lacerta lepida Montpellie snake Malpolon monspessulanus Gecko Tarentola mauritanica Several kinds of Wall-lizards BIRDS
Ordinary name Scientific name Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Pintail Anas acuta Swift Apus apus Litle Owl Athene noctua vidalli Buzzard Buteo buteo Jay Garrulus glandarius Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla House Martin Delichon urbica Great spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Robin Erithacus rubecula Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca Spotted Flycatcher Musicapa striata Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Coal Tit Parus ater Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus Citril Finch Serinus serinus Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Blackbird Turdus merula Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Barn Owl Tyto alba MAMMALS
Ordinary name Scientific name Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus dicrurus Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Genet Genetta genetta Marten Martes foina House Mouse Mus musculus Fallow Cervus dama Ferret Mustela putorius aureolus Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus Lusitanian Pine Vole Pitymys lusitanicus Red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris infuscatus Shrew Sorex sp. Fox Vulpes vulpes
The bare Serra de Monsanto, was initially reforested in the thirties, with species of relatively quick growth. Today, in the areas that were reforested, we notice a process of adaptation of these species to the existing conditions, and can observe, not only the development of the species which have been introduced, but also of the ones which are associated to them.
Follows a list of some trees and shrubs you can find in the park:
Ordinary Name Scientific Name Wattle Acacia sp. Strawberry tree Arbutus unedo Nettle-tree Celtis australis Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna var. brevispina Cypress Cupressus sp. Eucalyptus Eucaliptus sp. Narrow-leaved Ash Fraxinus angustifolia Juniper Juniperus phoenicea Honeysuckle Lonicera sp. Olive Olea europaea var. sylvestris Rosmarinus Phillyrea latifolia Aleppo Pine Pinus halepensis Stone pine Pinus pinea Lentiscus Pistacia lentiscus Blackthorn Prunus spinosa var. insititioides Kermes Oak Quercus coccifera Oak of the Pyrenees Quercus faginea Common Oak Quercus pyrenaica Cork Oak Quercus robur Willow Quercus rotundifolia Elm Quercus suber Laurustinus Rhamnus alaternus Willow Salix sp. Elm Ulmus minor
