Eco-Wolf Trail – Station E – Riparian Woodland (5/16)

At this station, you can observe a riparian or alluvial woodland along a narrow watercourse, a tributary of the Vade River basin. It is dominated by imposing, centuries-old trees such as willows (Salix atrocinerea), pedunculate oaks (Quercus robur), and ashes (Fraxinus excelsior), with the understory enriched by the presence of the hart’s-tongue fern (Dryopteris affinis) and various shrubs.

The presence of monumental willows reflects that, over time, despite human activities and vegetation clearance along the current high-voltage corridor, these ancient specimens have been preserved. This species is also important for medicine, as the bark and leaves of the willow are used to produce acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. This highlights the need to preserve biodiversity, not only for the balance it provides to ecosystems but also for its value to humans.

Riparian woodlands are native forest habitats that are crucial for reducing the risk of flooding and erosion along watercourses and provide shelter for a wide range of flora and fauna species. By observing carefully, you may detect signs of nocturnal mammals, such as tracks or droppings from rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), badgers (Meles meles), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and even wolves (Canis lupus). Birds, such as the blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), and amphibians, including the Iberian frog (Rana iberica) and Perez’s frog (Pelophylax perezi), can also be observed.

Learn more: Mapa do Percurso e Projeto Trilho Eco-Lobo