Exploring the Multifaceted Aspects of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Forests in Portugal
This article explores the ecological role of strawberry tree forests (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) in the resilience of Portuguese forest ecosystems and their relationship with plant production as a source of food. It discusses the importance of the strawberry tree in fire combat and the imp...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/468 |
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| author | Maria Nazaré Coelho Pinheiro Filomena Gomes Goreti Botelho Ivo Rodrigues Ruslan Mariychuk Lyudmyla Symochko |
| author_facet | Maria Nazaré Coelho Pinheiro Filomena Gomes Goreti Botelho Ivo Rodrigues Ruslan Mariychuk Lyudmyla Symochko |
| author_sort | Maria Nazaré Coelho Pinheiro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article explores the ecological role of strawberry tree forests (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) in the resilience of Portuguese forest ecosystems and their relationship with plant production as a source of food. It discusses the importance of the strawberry tree in fire combat and the improvement of agroforestry areas by mitigating erosion and augmenting soil organic matter. The multifunctionality of their fruits, emphasizing their utilization in food and beverage production, is also addressed. Moreover, the socio-economic and cultural significance of fruit production, emphasizing its role in sustainable development, is analyzed. The diversity of beverages (spirits, liquors, and gin) and food products (jams, jellies, etc.) effectively contribute to have a positive social and economic impact on the local populations and tradition maintenance. Moreover, the bioactive compounds in different parts of the plants and fruits have applications in pharmacology and cosmetics. Finally, the valorization of strawberry tree spirits mush waste as a source of natural dyes for textiles is discussed as a promising research topic to be explored in the future. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4341510f041045ed979cf4f22d948d53 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj-art-4341510f041045ed979cf4f22d948d532025-08-20T02:11:17ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-02-0114346810.3390/land14030468Exploring the Multifaceted Aspects of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Forests in PortugalMaria Nazaré Coelho Pinheiro0Filomena Gomes1Goreti Botelho2Ivo Rodrigues3Ruslan Mariychuk4Lyudmyla Symochko5Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, PortugalPolytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, PortugalPolytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, PortugalPolytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, PortugalDepartment of Ecology, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, University of Presov, 17th November Str. 1, 08116 Presov, SlovakiaCERNAS—Research Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Bencanta, 3045-601 Coimbra, PortugalThis article explores the ecological role of strawberry tree forests (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) in the resilience of Portuguese forest ecosystems and their relationship with plant production as a source of food. It discusses the importance of the strawberry tree in fire combat and the improvement of agroforestry areas by mitigating erosion and augmenting soil organic matter. The multifunctionality of their fruits, emphasizing their utilization in food and beverage production, is also addressed. Moreover, the socio-economic and cultural significance of fruit production, emphasizing its role in sustainable development, is analyzed. The diversity of beverages (spirits, liquors, and gin) and food products (jams, jellies, etc.) effectively contribute to have a positive social and economic impact on the local populations and tradition maintenance. Moreover, the bioactive compounds in different parts of the plants and fruits have applications in pharmacology and cosmetics. Finally, the valorization of strawberry tree spirits mush waste as a source of natural dyes for textiles is discussed as a promising research topic to be explored in the future.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/468<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.agrifood applicationslocal community benefitsecological resiliencepharmaceutical applicationswaste valorization |
| spellingShingle | Maria Nazaré Coelho Pinheiro Filomena Gomes Goreti Botelho Ivo Rodrigues Ruslan Mariychuk Lyudmyla Symochko Exploring the Multifaceted Aspects of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Forests in Portugal Land <i>Arbutus unedo</i> L. agrifood applications local community benefits ecological resilience pharmaceutical applications waste valorization |
| title | Exploring the Multifaceted Aspects of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Forests in Portugal |
| title_full | Exploring the Multifaceted Aspects of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Forests in Portugal |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Multifaceted Aspects of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Forests in Portugal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Multifaceted Aspects of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Forests in Portugal |
| title_short | Exploring the Multifaceted Aspects of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Forests in Portugal |
| title_sort | exploring the multifaceted aspects of strawberry tree i arbutus unedo i l forests in portugal |
| topic | <i>Arbutus unedo</i> L. agrifood applications local community benefits ecological resilience pharmaceutical applications waste valorization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/468 |
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