The Cork Forest Ecosystem: Nature’s Renewable Engine

The cork oak forest, or montado, is one of the most remarkable examples of harmony between nature and human activity. Stretching across the Mediterranean, particularly in Portugal and Spain, this ecosystem provides a living model of regenerative sustainability.

🌳 The Montado: A Living Landscape

The cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is much more than a tree — it’s the foundation of an entire ecosystem that supports thousands of species and livelihoods. Portugal alone holds over 700,000 hectares of cork oak forests, representing nearly 34% of the world’s total cork-producing area.

🌿 A Model of Regenerative Sustainability

Cork harvesting does not harm the tree. The bark regenerates naturally every nine years, allowing each cork oak to live for more than two centuries. This process absorbs up to five times more CO₂ during regeneration, turning the forest into a powerful carbon sink that actively combats climate change.

🦋 Biodiversity Hotspot

The montado is recognized as one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots. It shelters endangered species such as the Iberian lynx and imperial eagle, along with hundreds of plant and insect species that thrive in its balanced ecosystem.

👩🌾 Socioeconomic Value

The cork industry supports more than 100,000 people across southern Europe and North Africa, offering stable, rural employment and helping preserve traditional know-how passed down for generations.

🌎 A Model for a Greener Future

Every product made of cork represents more than craftsmanship — it represents a cycle of life. When consumers choose cork, they’re directly contributing to the preservation of one of the planet’s most valuable renewable resources and to the livelihoods that protect it.

CorkSource Insight: By supporting sustainable cork products, designers and consumers alike become active participants in protecting the Earth’s biodiversity and ensuring the vitality of one of its rarest renewable systems.