Rita Matos Gomes
Higher Technical, Nature and Forests Conservation Institute, IP
A Mata Nacional de Leiria (LNF) property of the Portuguese State, has around 11 000 ha, and is located in the coastal municipality of Marinha Grande, occupying an area of about 2/3 this municipality.
Its origin dates back to earlier times to the reign of D. Dinis. We owe him the creation of the first administration that came to manage the Forest Crown in order to stabilize dunes and protect farmland from winds and sands brought by the sea.
In 1824 It was created the General Administration of Forests of the Kingdom, based in Marinha Grande, for administration of the pine forests of coastal dunes.
The first development plan date 1852, having been introduced the management system for plots, which still keeps.
There are a hundred years ago proceeded to the hard work of fixing and consolidating the primary coastal dune. This area latest arborization, about 2000 ha, located to the west of a dune set higher altitude, oriented North / South direction and in the area of the field 139 It reaches its maximum height (120 meters), constituting the second highest dune of Europe.
This zone, between the coastline and this dune system, extending from Praia da Vieira to São Pedro de Moel, It is classified as a protection area due to its characteristics and fragility, being there just made the thicket cuts strictly necessary.
The remaining area consists of production of pinewood, competing ICNF to ensure their sustainable management, the renovation of areas cut or burned, the conduct of pine forests, a sua desramação e cortes de mato, thinning, all operations relating to the application of the techniques of a good management, and the final cut of the stands.
The MNL is divided into rectangles with an area of approximately 35 ha, called plots. These are defined by parallel strips treeless, called steels (orientation N / S - 10m wide) and Arrifes (guidance I / O - 5m width) which are intended for, beyond the physical definition of the stands and access to them, the role of defense against fires.
The end of the pine forest cuts are held to 80 years old. During this period, settlement selections are made through thinning, in which are cut and removed copies with worst features. Thus, are the best pine trees that remain until the final cut, that will produce better quality wood, and the seed that will give rise to new settlements, so that will have its characteristics improved over the generations.
The National Forest of Leiria is now an international example of sustainable forest, and stands out as the first great "school" of forestry afforestation Portugal. While it has allowed the exploitation of maritime pine wood for around 700 years ago, It is also holder of a remarkable historical and cultural heritage, which is a heritage legacy of great national importance.
Besides the management and logging carried out by the State, the forest also has an economic component, very important social and environmental for the resident population and its visitors.
It has been a source of inspiration to artists in creating their works, but also materials- materials for Charcoal Plants of pounded and Garcia, still, charcoal produce using traditional methods, still being used for sports and recreational purposes.