Costa, José CarlosMonteiro-Henriques, T.Neto, C.Arsénio, PedroAguiar, C.2013-03-212013-03-212007"Fitosociologia". ISSN 1125-9078. 44(1) suppl.1 (2007) 23-281125-9078http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/5399A succinct review of the application of the Habitats Directive in Portugal is presented. Since 1971 until 2000 Portugal has defined approximately 8,8% of its territory as national protected areas. With the application of the Habitats Directive nature conservation policies extended to more than 17,4 % of the territory increasing by 98% and the knowledge on vegetation community’s habitats was certainly deepened. Including special protection areas (Birds Directive) the Portuguese territory under one or more conservation status totals 21,5%. Finally, the support given by the Portuguese Phytosociology Association – ALFA in the detailed description of the Directive habitats is divulged, showing the importance, usefulness and efficacy of phytosociologic studies.enghabitats directivenature conservationPortugaljournal article