The São Mamede Range rises from the Alentejo region of Portugal, which has a strongly Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters.

In comparison with the surrounding region, the orientation and altitude of the range result in cooler temperatures, more frequent occurrences of fog, and orographic lift that produces higher levels of precipitation.

The park's variations in topography support plants from regions of Portugal with both Mediterranean and oceanic climates.

There are also large areas of olive, maritime pine, and Eucalyptus plantations.

Within the area one can find the European otter, Cabrera's vole and, mainly in the north, the Iberian lynx.