The project LIFE TAXUS, with the contribution of LIFE+ financial instruments of European Community, intends to contribute to the restoration of yew thickets [9580 *Mediterranean Taxus baccata woods] - sciophilous formations, common to river banks in encased mountain valleys, mainly of a scarce and relic nature, dominated by the Common Yew and including several other species, in variable proportion, such as: the Common Holly (Ilex aquifolium L.), the White Birch (Betula celtiberica Rothm. & Vasc.), the English Oak (Quercus robur L.), the Pyrenean Oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) and the European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.).

The main threats to this habitat have been identified: forest fires, cutting down, grazing and invasion by exotic species. Actions will take place in the SCI PTCON0001 “Peneda-Gerês”, where intervention aims solely at the improvement of the habitat conservation status, and in the SCI PTCON0014 “Serra da Estrela”, where along with the objectives above, actions will also aim at the increase of the yew thickets occupation area.