High-resolution map for vegetation in the upper valleys and plateaus of serra da estrela (Portugal)

Abstract Mountain ecosystems such as Serra da Estrela, in the southwest of the Central Iberian Massif, are characterised by high ecological diversity shaped by climatic, geological, and anthropogenic factors. The vegetation of this region has been classified into distinct altitudinal belts, with the upper plateau (above 1600 m) hosting unique high-altitude scrubland and meadow communities of significant scientific interest. This study aimed to map and analyse the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of vegetation in the upper valleys and plateaus of Serra da Estrela. High-resolution WorldView-2 satellite imagery from 2020 was used to produce a detailed classification of current vegetation, identifying eleven distinct classes. To assess vegetation changes over time, a comparative analysis was performed using a 1995 orthophotomap. The results reveal strong altitudinal zoning and spatial clustering of vegetation classes, with shrublands representing the dominant vegetation type (32.6%). Comparison with the 1995 data highlights an expansion of vegetated areas, particularly shrublands encroaching into former grassland zones. These findings demonstrate the value of high-resolution remote sensing for monitoring ecological changes in sensitive mountain environments and provide a crucial baseline for conservation and land management strategies in protected areas under pressure from land use shifts.