A study developed in 2024 assessed the success of cork oak afforestation across 4,270 ha in the Évora district, focusing on stands aged 25–30 years. The evaluation was based on canopy cover percentage and density as proxies for vegetative development, using 150 plots subdivided into 319 homogeneous units, and supported by 622 sampling points for extracting edaphoclimatic variables. Results indicated that continentality, precipitation, elevation, and thermicity index had statistically significant effects on canopy development, while slope showed no relevant influence, revealing clear environmental controls over afforestation performance.

However, this approach relies primarily on two-dimensional metrics and may not adequately represent canopy vertical structure or tree-level vigor. To address these limitations, the present phase integrates LiDAR data across the same plots, enabling detailed three-dimensional characterization of canopy height, structural complexity, and spatial continuity. Targeted field surveys are also being conducted to validate remote sensing outputs and incorporate dendrometric and physiological variables.

This combined methodology aims to refine the initial assessment, reduce uncertainty, and deliver a more robust evaluation framework supporting monitoring, decision-making, and adaptive management of cork oak systems. It also enhances transferability to other Mediterranean afforestation contexts under changing climatic conditions and strengthens the basis for long-term monitoring programmes.