Search

The dehesas are one of the most unique and characteristic landscapes of the Extremadura region. Together with their natural values, they are an environment in which trades, knowledge and ways of life rooted in the tradition of rural communities are still developed. However, ancestral knowledge and practices are in danger of disappearing. Faced with this problem, this study is focused on the benefits of tourism, using sustainability criteria to evaluate their ability to educate and to increase awareness and sensitivity of the importance of maintaining this intangible cultural legacy. Based on this premise, the main objective is to determine and analyze tourists' evaluations of the traditional shepherd's trade and the educational possibilities of agritourism experiences. For this purpose, a survey was carried out among 102 tourists who visited different cheese dairies in an Extremadura region that offers agritourism experiences. In addition, this work also aims to know the current situation of the shepherd's trade, identifying the benefits of its conservation and determining the threats that hinder its preservation. It also seeks to determine the solutions that could safeguard it. To this end, the Delphi method was used and 26 experts, mainly shepherds and shearers, were interviewed. The results reveal that tourists can identify the educational and cultural functions associated with pastoralism. They also recognize increased curiosity, empathy and environmental awareness as the main benefits derived from the tourism experience. The interviews reveal the suitability of disseminating the heritage and educational value of the dehesa through sustainable tourism experiences to increase interest in the rural world, revalue ancestral knowledge and contribute to its preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El creciente interés por la naturaleza y su conservación ha ocasionado un incremento significativo de las visitas turísticas a los Espacios Naturales Protegidos. Sin embargo, la falta de una planificación coherente y eficaz conlleva riesgos sustanciales. Por tanto, para aprovechar los beneficios del turismo de naturaleza en estos espacios, se requiere una gestión de la actividad basada en criterios de sostenibilidad. Con base en esta premisa, se presenta un estudio de caso con el objetivo de valorar los principales atractivos del Parque Natural de Cornalvo, impulsando su aptitud para promover experiencias ecoturísticas variadas y asociadas a su distintivo ecosistema de dehesas. Para ello, se analizaron las concepciones del personal encargado de la gestión del área protegida mediante el método Delphi. Además, se realizó un análisis DAFO, con la finalidad de aportar información que sirva de base para la toma de decisiones destinadas a revalorizar este espacio. Entre los resultados, se constata la relevancia de establecer circuitos turísticos con la ciudad monumental de Mérida, fomentando el turismo de proximidad. Asimismo, se considera de gran importancia aumentar el diálogo con los propietarios de terrenos dentro de este espacio, con quienes podrían establecerse acuerdos para implementar diversas iniciativas en el Parque.

Copyright of Investigaciones Geograficas is the property of Universidad de Alicante, Instituto Universitario de Geografia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bullfighting tourism is a recent tourism modality that is in constant growth, and which consists of visits to bullfighting ranches with the aim of showing what life is like for this animal in its natural habitat. This activity represents a source of extra income for many breeders, but it has not yet been adequately promoted and publicized. This study analyzes the supply side of this type of tourism. For this purpose, a non-parametric statistical model has been used and results have been obtained which corroborate that the promotion of this type of tourism is scarce, and that the breeders began to offer this type of tourism to make known what life is like for the fighting bull in the countryside and to increase their income. Furthermore, in this study, it is fundamental to differentiate between bullfighting and bullfighting tourism so that this type of tourism can reach the greatest possible number of people and not be influenced by thoughts against bullfighting, as they are different activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dehesa is a unique ecosystem associated with high biodiversity, that integrates trees, livestock, and pasture, making agro-pastoral production compatible with sustainability. However, in the last few decades, a manifold of factors have caused a decline in tree vitality, density, and coverage, leading to long-term changes in species composition and ecosystem structure. This study aims to determine changes in the diversity of the herbaceous plant community in relation to environmental characteristics, the phytosanitary state of the holm oak (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.), and possible interactions with biotic agents, including Phytophthora cinnamomi. For this purpose, the floristic composition and alpha diversity of the understory were assessed in two dehesa stands in Southern Spain. Additionally, the spatial heterogeneity (beta diversity) patterns of herbaceous plants were evaluated in relation to a climatic gradient and subplot orientation at the regional, plot, tree, and subplot scales. Our findings show that microsite features and climate substantially impact the herbaceous plant community in dehesa stands. Annual precipitation is a crucial factor affecting the diversity and biomass of herbaceous plants on a broader, regional scale, consistent with its role as a limiting factor in the Mediterranean climate. However, site-level differences, such as soil clay content and plot slope angle, positively correlate with plant biodiversity, growth, and richness, varying with the Biodiversity Index considered. Moreover, microsites resulting from the combined effects of plot and tree are the main drivers of dissimilarities between samples, as expressed by beta diversity. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, our results reveal no significant association between tree health and herbaceous biodiversity decline.

The dehesas are one of the most emblematic landscapes of the Extremadura region (Spain). Along with its natural values, it preserves a wide repertoire of knowledge and trades rooted in the history and tradition of rural communities. However, the knowledge and practices that have characterized life in this environment are currently under serious threat. Faced with this problem, this study was based on the premise that, for individuals to commit themselves to the care and transmission of heritage, it is first necessary for them to know, understand and value it. For this reason, the main objective was to determine the knowledge and appreciation of university students with respect to the dehesa and the ancestral practice of grazing. It also aimed to analyze which are the most valued methodologies, activities, and future strategies for understanding and preserving these cultural landscapes and their ancestral practices. To this end, 400 university students were surveyed, and various quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out. Quantitative techniques include analyses based on weighted averages, contingency tables and the chi-square test, while qualitative techniques are based on word frequency analysis and inductive content analysis. Despite coming from an environment dominated by this landscape and being one of the few regions that still preserve the ancestral practice of pastoralism, the results corroborated the students' lack of understanding of the dehesa and the variety of uses it offers. In addition, it was evident that they have hardly frequented this landscape and have not participated in on-site educational experiences. It also revealed the importance of experiential and sensory activities in the understanding and appreciation of the rural environment and its traditions. The results can be useful for improving the design of educational tourism products based on intangible heritage. It can also be useful for adapting teaching strategies and activities to the level of knowledge and experiences of students, helping to ensure the success of the educational experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the end of 2020, 18 European bison (Bison bonasus) were introduced to El Encinarejo estate, in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. This hunting-oriented estate has 956 hectares of dehesa, Mediterranean forest and scrubland in which about 400 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 200 fallow deer (Dama dama) coexist with the bison. To know how trophic resources are used by these herbivore species, faecal samples were collected during the year 2021. The microhistological analysis technique was used to determine the percentage of epidermal fragments of the main functional groups (woody plants, graminoids, legumes and forbs) in each sample. The results showed significant differences between animal species and seasons of the year. Globally, woody plants are preferentially consumed in autumn and winter, graminoids in summer and legumes and forbs in spring. The woody component was the most abundant in the diet of the three species, accounting for 81% of the plant fragments present in red deer faeces, 52% in bison and 38% in fallow deer. This is the first study describing the dietary use of Pistacia lentiscus by European bison, the substantial use throughout all seasons indicates it as a very important diet source. In addition, the interspecific comparison showed that the bison significantly consumed more graminoids (21%), whereas legumes were more present in fallow deer diet (32%). Finally, red deer consumed less forbs than the other two species (8%). It is concluded that there is a certain distribution of trophic resources between the three species that may facilitate their coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In anthropic savanna ecosystems from the Iberian Peninsula (i.e. dehesa), complex interactions between climate change, pathogen outbreaks and human land use are presumed to be behind the observed increase in holm oak decline. These environmental disturbances alter the plant–soil microbial continuum, which can destabilize the ecological balance that sustains tree health. Yet, little is known about the underlying mechanisms, particularly the directions and nature of the causal–effect relationships between plants and soil microbial communities.In this study, we aimed to determine the role of plant–soil feedbacks in climate‐induced holm oak decline in the Iberian dehesa. Using a gradient of holm oak health, we reconstructed key soil biogeochemical cycles mediated by soil microbial communities. We used quantitative microbial element cycling (QMEC), a functional gene‐array‐based high‐throughput technique to assess microbial functional potential in carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur cycling.The onset of holm oak decline was positively related to the increase in relative abundance of soil microbial functional genes associated with denitrification and phosphorus mineralization (i.e. nirS3, ppx and pqqC; parameter value: 0.21, 0.23 and 0.4; p < 0.05). Structural equation model (χ2 = 32.26, p‐value = 0.73), moreover, showed a negative association between these functional genes and soil nutrient availability (i.e. mainly mineral nitrogen and phosphate). Particularly, the holm oak crown health was mainly determined by the abundance of phosphate (parameter value = 0.27; p‐value < 0.05) and organic phosphorus (parameter value = −0.37; p‐value < 0.5).Hence, we propose a potential tree–soil feedback loop, in which the decline of holm oak promotes changes in the soil environment that triggers changes in key microbial‐mediated metabolic pathways related to the net loss of soil nitrogen and phosphorus mineral forms. The shortage of essential nutrients, in turn, affects the ability of the trees to withstand the environmental stressors to which they are exposed. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wood borer Cerambyx welensii Küster is a key contributor to Quercus open woodland (dehesa) decline. Among other factors, olfactory and visual cues could influence host colonisation by this species. In this study, we investigated whether the physiological performance and morphological features of Q. suber trees under summer stress are affected by C. welensii infestation. Additionally, we analysed the relation between morpho-physiological variables and the emission of monoterpenes that potentially mediate host selection by C. welensii. Thirty-six Q. suber trees with known monoterpene emission profiles were selected: 18 trees highly visited by C. welensii, and 18 neighbouring trees not visited or at least not visibly damaged by this wood borer. For each tree, we assessed photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration during the early evening, and also the perimeter and crown projection. Trees visited by C. welensii maintained higher photosynthetic activity than non-visited trees (1.5–2.15 times) from 19:35 to 20:45 h. Visited trees had larger perimeters and smaller crown projection area-to-perimeter ratios than non-visited trees. Results suggest that, under stress conditions, the physiological performance of trees infested by C. welensii could have favoured foliar emission of certain monoterpenes influencing intraspecific host selection by this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to determine the incidence of fighting cattle farms in the Spanish dehesa, defining those that are in this territory, and quantifying the hectares they occupy and some productive aspects in order to verify the importance of the breeding of the fighting bull in the maintenance and conservation of its biodiversity. To this end, different documentary sources of livestock associations and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food were consulted; and 304 surveys were carried out among fighting bull farmers in the Spanish provinces with dehesa. The area of the dehesa is 3'515,846 ha distributed in the Autonomous Communities of Andalusia, Extremadura, Castile and Leon, Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid, where there are 726 registered fighting cattle farms, although only 631 of them are active in the Stud Book of the Fighting Bovine Breed (2022), with a downward trend in recent years, and with an average census of 144 dams and 9 bulls, a low stocking rate. The estimated number of farms in the dehesa engaged exclusively in fighting bull farming is 581, with an average area of 534 ha and occupying 315,301 ha, representing 8.97 % of the total Spanish dehesa, although it would amount to 347,744 ha (9.89 %) considering the entire farm with the presence of other complementary activities. These farms are located in 358 municipalities, in which 72.61 % of the census is less than 5,000 inhabitants, which could help to fix the rural population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose the study of communal wasteland, pastures and forest land as a case study in order to obtain useful information with which to reconstruct Environmental History. The purpose is to achieve the objective of characterizing the environment and the socio-ecological relationship existing in the livestock and forestry areas of the municipality. The aims are to characterize the type of livestock, their number, the socioeconomic characteristics of their owners, the existing pastures, the social conflicts that they suffered, relevant aspects of ecological history, such as the type of vegetation, the fauna and the dominant ecosystems. We want to trace its evolution throughout the 19th century and aim to identify the main historical antecedents. In relation to Natural History and Ecohistory, we consider that this analysis improves environmental knowledge of the natural spaces of El Puerto de Santa María, allowing us to trace their limits, species and evolution. Forestry data are especially significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hunting is a widespread activity in Extremadura, affecting more than 80% of the total regional surface. This practice has become, at present, a major productive activity that generates wealth and employment in rural areas, characterized by population loss, aging and poor economic diversification. In the particular case of Extremadura, a large part of the hunting lands are located in the dehesa, a unique type of ecosystem in the world from which agricultural, livestock, forestry and hunting uses are obtained. In these areas, agrotourism is shown as a complement to agricultural income. In this sense, hunting is an agrotourism resource from which income is obtained. For this reason, this article has analysed the potential of dehesa areas for the development of hunting tourism through the application of geostatistics. This technique has made it possible to obtain very important results, among which are the following: to determine those areas with the greatest potential for the development of this type of tourism, to identify different groups with specific characteristics with respect to the predominance of game species, to represent the presence of tourist places and restaurants near the hunting reserves and, finally, to show the presence of tourist attractions in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dehesas constitute one of the most relevant and traditional landscapes of the Extremadura region. However, the supremacy given to the economic–productive functionality of agricultural territories over environmental and cultural sustainability leads to the devaluation and neglect of the heritage manifestations of the rural world. Based on this premise, this study aimed to understand the current situation of some of the traditional trades of the Extremadura pasture, assessing the benefits of their conservation and determining the possible threats that hinder their preservation. In addition, it sought to articulate a proposal for solutions aimed at safeguarding them. To this end, the Delphi method was used, and 20 experts were interviewed in depth, mainly cork and charcoal extractors. The results corroborate the existence of various problems faced by the traditional trades, which compromise the conservation of the identity of the rural population and the sustainability of the dehesa. To mitigate these tensions, it was concluded that there is a need to disseminate the heritage of the dehesa through educational and agrotourism experiences to promote an increase in tourist awareness, revalue ancestral knowledge, and contribute to the conservation of intangible assets.

The serious socioeconomic problems faced by rural environments in general, and the agricultural sector in particular, in peripheral European territories since the end of the last century have led to depopulation phenomena, the abandonment of unique traditional uses, and the loss of cultural identity. The promotion of a well-understood agrotourism sector in these territories, as an income-diversifying activity that promotes a more sustainable tourism, is a measure widely applauded by the scientific community, which seeks to curb such problems and offer an opportunity to the inhabitants who are less and less dedicated to the much maltreated primary sector. However, it is crucial to know in a personalized way the value chain associated with agrotourism and in particular that linked to the Extremadura dehesa, especially when this has not traditionally been considered a tourist resource. This paper presents a recent bibliographical review regarding the potential of the Extremadura dehesa as a viable agrotourism resource. The lack of knowledge that the tourist offer has about agrotourism and the dehesa as a business niche and diversification of income, or the gap between some activities and the appropriate channels of the value chain, are some remarkable conclusions, coinciding with those of other authors and similar territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decline and mortality of Quercus species worldwide are interpreted through the interactions of several factors in space and time. Among these factors, Phytophthora cinnamomi has been identified as a major biotic agent triggering mortality of Quercus ilex and Q. suber in the Mediterranean basin. However, there are few examples in the literature studying the interaction between P. cinnamomi and site environmental factors or assessing the effects of environmental drivers on the host-pathogen system. In this study, we examined how both characteristics and spatial distribution of soil and topography influence the effects of P. cinnamomi over the disease status of Q. ilex and Q. suber plantations using spatial analysis by distance indices and structural equation modelling. Results showed the high influence of soil (texture, nutrients, chemical composition and moisture) and topography (orientation, solar incidence and hydrology) over the pathogen availability, as well as lower mortality and defoliation of Q. suber, but more related to the colony forming units (cfu) distribution, compared with Q. ilex. These differences highlighted the convenience of mixed afforestation compared with monospecific ones, increasing afforestation resilience, and the importance of a precise scale for the characterization of soil and topography, preventing afforestation failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dehesas constitute one of the most relevant and traditional landscapes of the Extremadura region. However, the supremacy given to the economic–productive functionality of agricultural territories over environmental and cultural sustainability leads to the devaluation and neglect of the heritage manifestations of the rural world. Based on this premise, this study aimed to understand the current situation of some of the traditional trades of the Extremadura pasture, assessing the benefits of their conservation and determining the possible threats that hinder their preservation. In addition, it sought to articulate a proposal for solutions aimed at safeguarding them. To this end, the Delphi method was used, and 20 experts were interviewed in depth, mainly cork and charcoal extractors. The results corroborate the existence of various problems faced by the traditional trades, which compromise the conservation of the identity of the rural population and the sustainability of the dehesa. To mitigate these tensions, it was concluded that there is a need to disseminate the heritage of the dehesa through educational and agrotourism experiences to promote an increase in tourist awareness, revalue ancestral knowledge, and contribute to the conservation of intangible assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Montado is an agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystem characteristic of the south of Portugal, which is called Dehesa in Spain. Due to the interactions between its fundamental components—soil, pasture, trees, and animals—it is considered a highly complex ecosystem. Therefore, there are no scientific works published in which these interactions are evaluated simultaneously. This review paves the way for carrying out work that integrates the four fundamental components, with the greatest need to study the effects of grazing animals on soil, pasture, and trees. Montado is an agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystem characteristic of the south of Portugal and called Dehesa in Spain. Its four fundamental components—soil, pasture, trees, and animals—as well as the climate make Montado a highly complex ecosystem. This review article provides an overview of the state of the art of Montado from the point of view of the agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystem and the scientific work carried out in this context. Thus, the aim is: (i) to describe and characterize the Montado ecosystem, as an agro-silvo-pastoral system; (ii) to reveal experimental tests carried out, technologies used or with the potential to be used in the monitoring of Montado; (iii) to address other technologies, carried out in similar and different agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystems from south Portugal. This review consists of three chapters: (a) components of Montado and their interactions; (b) advanced technologies for monitoring Montado; (c) grazing systems. No review article is known to provide an overview of Montado. Thus, it is essential to carry out research on grazing and its effects on the soil and pasture in the Montado ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Mediterranean climate regions, climate change is increasing aridity and contributing to the mortality rate of Quercus suber, reducing the success of reforestation efforts. Using and creating microclimates is a recommended climate adaptation strategy that needs research. Our hypothesis is that planting Q. suber in north-facing slopes and water lines results in a higher survival rate than those that are planted in ridges and south-facing slopes. Secondly, our hypothesis is that existing shrubs (in this case, Cistus ladanifer) can be used to create microclimatic sheltering and increase the survival of Q. suber plantations. In experiment 1, we tested the survival of Q. suber plantations in four different topographic conditions. For that, 80 Q. suber plants were planted over four different topographic conditions, where soil probes were installed to monitor soil moisture and temperature. Two years after, the results show an increased survival rate in the north-facing slope and water line when compared to the ridge area (p = 0.032). In experiment 2, we tested if planting in the shade of rows of C. ladanifer increases the survival rate of Q. suber plantations. For that, 1200 Q. suber plants were planted; 600 in a Montado open area with no shade and 600 under the shade of rows of C. ladanifer shrubs. A total of 17 months after plantation, there was a significantly higher survival rate of the shaded plants (p = 0.027). We conclude that microclimates created by topography and shrubs can have a significant impact on the survival of Q. suber plantations and discuss the situations in which these can apply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The necessity for accurate biomass estimates is greater than ever for the sustainable management of forest resources, which is an increasingly pressing matter due to climate change. The most used method to estimate biomass for operational purposes is through allometric equations. Typically, each country develops their own models to be applied at the local scale because it is more convenient. But, for Quercus suber, a joint regional model can be more beneficial, since the species is distributed across the Mediterranean and is challenging to account for due to felling limitations and the nature of mature cork biomass itself. We found that these characteristics are reflected in the biomass datasets and compatibility was, perhaps, the largest impediment to such a model. The use of dummy variables to differentiate between countries, as well as compromises in the limits of biomass compartments, allowed us to develop two joint models to estimate aboveground biomass in Portugal, Spain and Tunisia. One model as a function of diameter and another as a function of diameter and total tree height. In addition, we developed a separate model for roots (modelling efficiency of fitting = 0.89), since it was not possible to assure additivity of the whole tree. All coefficients were estimated using Seemingly Unrelated Regressions (SUR) and model fitting assured additivity in the aboveground compartments—leaves and woody biomass (modelling efficiency of fitting = 0.89 and 0.93, respectively). This work proves that it is possible to have a biologically sound and efficient model for the three countries, despite differences in the observed allometric patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to measure and value the ecosystem services of grasslands and croplands covered by pasture-based beef farms in Alentejo. It combines pixel-level data from the Portuguese Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystem Services study and farm-level data from 40 farms. Five ecosystem services were considered: soil protection, carbon sequestration, support to extensive animal production, plant food production and fiber production. Two different approaches for service quantification were used: an "average class" method and a "buffer" approach. Double counting issues were avoided by applying a specific methodology developed for this study. The results obtained were similar for both approaches in the case of grasslands, with an average value between 146 and 176 €/ha/year. For croplands, the average service value oscillated between 40 and 166 €/ha/year. Soil protection was the most valuable service, with over 90% of the total value. Extrapolating these results for the entire region, the five ecosystem services were estimated to be worth between 173 M€ (class method) and 223 M€ (buffer approach). These results suggest that pasture-based beef farms in Alentejo help to provide a significant number of ecosystem services with positive environmental effects that are currently not remunerated by the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dehesa ecosystem provides important social and economic values across the Iberian Peninsula. Assessing the temporal dynamics of this system under climate change is important for the maintenance and conservation of these highly valuable ecosystems. Here, we present the baseline data of an observational plot network in the Dehesa that will form the foundation for monitoring long-term dynamics and for experimental manipulations testing the mechanisms driving resilience within the Dehesa. The initial surveys indicate that the forest structure is typical for the Dehesa, which suggests it is an exemplary site for examining temporal dynamics of this ecosystem. We present these initial data to encourage collaborations from international scientists via either direct experimental projects or meta-analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of study: To describe and predict mathematically the growth parameters of Iberian pigs. Area of study: Iberian dehesa agroforestry system. Southwest of Iberian Peninsula. Material and methods: A quantitative and systematic review was carried out to find all studies with valid data of growth and finishing in the Iberian swine breed published up to May 2020. For the analysis of the data, a mathematical fitting model was obtained and a function was postulated to describe the relation between the variables age and body weight. Main results: 112 publications were found, and after applying several quality filters, 18 with age and weight matched data were used. The database was composed of 76 different tests and 22,558 animals. The clasical growth phases were independently evaluated for data analysis.It was necessary to separate the finishing trials into three groups according to the starting age. Seven mathematical models were obtained for lactation,post-weaning, and montanera finishing. However, no valid test data were found during the growth and prefinishing phases. Besides that, a single model was obtained combining lactation and post-weaning, and another surface model including the variables age and weight to compare average daily weight gain in montanera finishing phase. Research highlights: After systematic review of the studies that provide information on the growth of Iberian pigs, and a quantitative analysis, some mathematical linear and nonlinear models have been developed for the prediction of the production ratios at different phases.

The serious socioeconomic problems faced by rural environments in general, and the agricultural sector in particular, in peripheral European territories since the end of the last century have led to depopulation phenomena, the abandonment of unique traditional uses, and the loss of cultural identity. The promotion of a well-understood agrotourism sector in these territories, as an income-diversifying activity that promotes a more sustainable tourism, is a measure widely applauded by the scientific community, which seeks to curb such problems and offer an opportunity to the inhabitants who are less and less dedicated to the much maltreated primary sector. However, it is crucial to know in a personalized way the value chain associated with agrotourism and in particular that linked to the Extremadura dehesa, especially when this has not traditionally been considered a tourist resource. This paper presents a recent bibliographical review regarding the potential of the Extremadura dehesa as a viable agrotourism resource. The lack of knowledge that the tourist offer has about agrotourism and the dehesa as a business niche and diversification of income, or the gap between some activities and the appropriate channels of the value chain, are some remarkable conclusions, coinciding with those of other authors and similar territories.

La dehesa de Zacatena fue propiedad de la Orden de Calatrava desde el siglo xii hasta su venta en 1763. La incorporación de las órdenes militares y de sus bienes a la Corona desde finales del siglo XV y su gestión por el Consejo de Órdenes han legado una amplia documentación que permite conocer detalles sobre la explotación de esta finca, que coincide con el actual Parque Nacional de las Tablas de Daimiel. La extracción de leña era un producto fundamental de las dehesas, además del pasto para el ganado. La producción de leña obtenida en una extensión de más de 6000 ha en el siglo XVI y la estimación para fabricar carbón vegetal en el siglo XVIII, comparadas con las cifras de estudios actuales e históricos, confirman el beneficio para la conservación de las encinas derivado de que Zacatena estuviera administrada por la Corona, bajo la vigilancia de un guarda mayor y de sus ayudantes. Se ofrecen valoraciones en la conversión de las medidas antiguas empleadas para la leña y el carbón, respecto a la metrología actual. Las visitas con «vista de ojos» y las prácticas empleadas en la poda y entresaca de las encinas han desvelado informaciones inéditas sobre la silvicultura tradicional y las medidas aplicadas para el desbroce y conservación sostenible de los bosques mediterráneos.

Durante el siglo XVIII la caza mayor era una práctica reservada a las clases sociales dominantes, por razones de prestigio y distinción frente al resto de personas. No obstante, este modelo cinegético compartía protagonismo con otros tipos de caza en los que se perseguían fines diferentes. Bajo estas premisas, el objetivo de este trabajo es doble. Por una parte, analizar la distribución territorial de las especies de caza mayor a finales del siglo XVIII, basándose en los datos aportados por una fuente histórica de gran alcance, (Interrogatorio de la Real Audiencia de Extremadura de 1792) y, por otra parte, establecer una comparación con la actual distribución de los cotos de caza mayor situados sobre espacios adehesados. El material utilizado procede del Interrogatorio de la Real Audiencia de Extremadura de 1792, compuesto de 10 tomos. En concreto, se han usado las respuestas dadas a la pregunta 57, con cuya información se construyó una base de datos, se hizo un análisis semántico y se implementó la información en un proyecto SIG. Los resultados muestran que, en términos comparativos con la realidad actual, se confirma que las especies de caza mayor ocupan el mismo territorio, existiendo una alta coincidencia con extensas zonas adehesadas de Extremadura.

Aim of study: To test the hypothesis that consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for traditional food products expresses their willingness to conserve the bundle of ecosystem services (ES) provided by the territories of origin and that the intensity of these preferences is subject to spatial discounting. Area of study: We used Iberian dry-cured ham as a case study. This is a traditional and highly appreciated product characteristically produced in the Dehesa agroforestry system (southern Iberian Peninsula), an agricultural system characterized by high levels of ES provision. Material and methods: The analysis relies on a discrete choice experiment using some recently developed spatial indexes that go beyond traditional “distance-decay” effects. This method was fed with primary data gathered from a face-to-face survey administered in Andalusian food retail establishments to 1,158 Iberian ham (acorn- or fodder-fed) consumers. Main results: The results provide evidence of the effects of spatial discounting on the purchase of acorn- and fodder-fed Iberian hams associated with the agroecosystem in which they are produced. These effects presumably stem from consumers’ cultural identity linked to the agroecosystem of origin and their willingness to support the local economy and communities. In addition, in the case of acorn-fed Iberian ham, spatial discounting is affected by consumers’ perception of the ES provided by the agroecosystem, with consumers who significantly perceive these services showing a higher WTP, regardless of their place of residence (no spatial discounting). Research highlights: Relevant insights can be gained from the results, especially concerning marketing strategies and the adoption of environmental and sociocultural certifications.

The dehesa is one of the main agricultural landscapes in the Extremadura region. It is currently undergoing a production crisis caused by changes in the market, including the abandonment of uses linked to its exploitation. This situation could lead to the disappearance of this unique landscape due to its anthropogenic nature. It is therefore necessary to develop alternative activities to improve its productive profitability, which could include sustainable hunting. The hunting literature recognizes the role it plays in environmental, economic, and social sustainability, with hunting tourism being one of the productive activities that generates the most wealth within the sector, where big game hunting is of great importance. In this scenario, the regions of Villuercas-Ibores-Jara and La Siberia have an ideal landscape for the development of this modality due to their physical characteristics. For this reason, this study carried out an analysis of the situation of hunting tourism in these areas through the dissemination of a questionnaire among the managers of rural accommodation in the study area. The responses recorded were processed using statistical techniques that allowed us to extract interesting results such as the importance of hunting as a tourist resource, with a large number of big game species living in these areas, the high presence of hunters in these lodgings during the hunting season, the role that hunting plays in environmental, economic, and social sustainability, and the need to create a specific tourist product that meets the needs of the demand of hunters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Tree-pasture' silvopastoral systems have the potential to become transformative multifunctional landscapes that add both environmental and economic value to pastoral farms. Nevertheless, no published study has found increased pasture production under mature silvopastoral trees in New Zealand hill country. This study takes a novel approach to silvopastoral research in New Zealand, and investigates a genus that has similar bio-physical attributes to other global silvopastoral trees that have been shown to increase pasture production under their canopies, with the aim of finding a silvopastoral genera that can increase pasture production under tree canopies compared to open pasture in New Zealand. This study measures pasture and soil variables in two pasture positions: under individually spaced native kānuka (Kunzea spp.) trees (kānuka pasture) and paired open pasture positions at least 15 m from tree trunks (open pasture) at two sites over two years. There was 107.9% more pasture production in kānuka pasture positions. The soil variables that were significantly greater in kānuka pasture were Olsen-P (+115.7%, p < 0.001), K (+100%, p < 0.001), Mg (+33.33%, p < 0.01), Na (+200%, p < 0.001) and porosity (+8.8%, p < 0.05), and Olsen-P, porosity and K best explained the variation between kānuka pasture and open pasture positions. Volumetric soil moisture was statistically similar in kānuka pasture and open pasture positions. These results are evidence of nutrient transfer by livestock to the tree-pasture environment. Furthermore, as there was a significantly greater porosity and 48.6% more organic matter under the trees, there were likely other processes also contributing to the difference between tree and open pasture environments, such as litterfall. These results show that kānuka has potential to increase pasture production in New Zealand hill country farms and create multifunctional landscapes enhancing both production and environmental outcomes in pastoral farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Boletín de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles is the property of Asociacion de Geografos Espanoles and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pasos: Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural is the property of Universidad de La Laguna, Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Politicas y Sociales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The dehesa is an anthropic complex ecosystem typical of some areas of Spain and Portugal, with a key role in soil and biodiversity conservation and in the search for a balance between production, conservation and ecosystem services. For this reason, it is essential to have tools that allow its characterization, as well as to monitor and support decision-making to improve its sustainability. A multipurpose and scalable tool has been developed and validated, which combines several low-cost technologies, computer vision methods and RGB aerial orthophotographs using open data sources and which allows for automated agroforestry inventories, identifying and quantifying units with important ecological significance such as: trees, groups of trees, ecosystem corridors, regenerated areas and sheets of water. The development has been carried out from images of the national aerial photogrammetry plan of Spain belonging to 32 dehesa farms, representative of the existing variability in terms of density of trees, shrub species and the presence of other ecological elements. First, the process of obtaining and identifying areas of interest was automated using WMS services and shapefile metadata. Then, image analysis techniques were used to detect the different ecological units. Finally, a classification was developed according to the OBIA approach, which stores the results in standardized files for Geographic Information Systems. The results show that a stable solution has been achieved for the automatic and accurate identification of ecological units in dehesa territories. The scalability and generalization to all the dehesa territories, as well as the possibility of segmenting the area occupied by trees and other ecological units opens up a great opportunity to improve the construction of models for interpreting satellite images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of agricultural post-productivity, rural spaces acquire new functions or reinforce the existing ones. Thus, the production of quality food, as a part of agroindustry, and tourism appear as common activities in rural development strategies. Special attention is drawn to gastronomic tourism and the creation of routes as a creative expression of the integration and structuring of the territories. The Iberian ham is a unique product, known worldwide, produced exclusively in the SW quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula. It is linked to a unique agro-system of the anthropised Mediterranean forest, also known as dehesa4, and comparably limited Iberian pig livestock, which has given rise to traditional culture and industry constituted in Local Productive System in many municipalities, supported by Protected Designation of Origin. The central objective of the research is to analyse existing tourist attraction related to the Iberian ham, its potential and the routes and products that have arisen around it. Having placed the territorial recognition as the starting point, the analysis of the resources and locations of the activities related to the Iberian ham was carried out based on scientific literature and the use of different databases. Secondly, the analysis of the potential tourism activities in the Sierra de Huelva region was implemented based on primary sources, namely surveys and interviews with intervening actors. The following results are obtained: a) the tourist potential of the Iberian pig world; b) complementarity with other tourist activities; c) difficulties in structuring existing attractions; d) multiplication of disconnected and sometimes coincident tourism initiatives; e) scarce participation of private actors in the initiatives launched.

A lo largo de la historia existe constancia de una estrecha relación del cerdo ibérico con las tierras salmantinas que ha generado un amplio legado. Esta simbiosis, ha dejado en herencia un modelo de explotación sostenible del terreno forestal en forma de monte hueco o dehesa y un saber hacer en la elaboración de los embutidos. El objetivo del estudio consiste en mostrar el potencial turístico que tiene la puesta en valor de la cultura tangible e intangible derivada del manejo en el territorio y del curado de los derivados del cerdo ibérico. Para el análisis territorial hemos utilizado diversas fuentes primarias y el trabajo de campo con la ayuda de herramientas para el tratamiento de datos y la representación cartográfica. Los resultados del estudio demuestran que el cerdo ibérico se ha erigido en un recurso actual en el marco de la modalidad de turismo gastronómico con variadas ofertas (visita a museos, instalaciones y dehesas, degustaciones o ferias).

Encroachment of woody plants into grasslands and subsequent brush management are among the most prominent changes occurring in arid and semiarid ecosystems over the past century. The reduced number of farms, the abandonment of marginal land and the decline of traditional farming practices have led to encroachment of the woody and shrubby components into grasslands. This phenomenon, specifically in the Mediterranean region, which is followed by a reduction in herbage production, biodiversity and increased fire risk, is generally considered an undesirable process. Sarcopoterium spinosum has had great success in the eastern Mediterranean as a colonizer and dominant bush species on a wide variety of sites and climatic conditions. In the Mediterranean dehesa, the high magnitude and intensity of shrub encroachment effects on pastures and on tree production were shown to be dependent on temporal variation. Accordingly, there are attempts to transform shrublands into grassland-woodland matrices by using different techniques. The main management interventions that are commonly used include grazing, woodcutting, shrub control with herbicides or by mechanical means, amelioration of plant mineral deficits in the soil, and fire. However, the effects of these various treatments on the shrubs under diverse environmental conditions were found to be largely context-specific. As such, the most efficient option for suppressing encroachment of shrubs is combining different interventions. Appropriate management of grazing, periodic control of the shrub component, and occasional soil nutrient amelioration can lead to the development of attractive open woodland with a productive herbaceous understory that provides a wider range of ecological services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Memoria y Civilizacion is the property of Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Navarra, S.A. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Tiempos Modernos is the property of Tiempos Modernos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Informacion Tecnica Economica Agraria is the property of Asociacion Interprofesional para el Desarrollo Agrario (AIDA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In Mediterranean climate regions, climate change is increasing aridity and contributing to the mortality rate of Quercus suber, reducing the success of reforestation efforts. Using and creating microclimates is a recommended climate adaptation strategy that needs research. Our hypothesis is that planting Q. suber in north-facing slopes and water lines results in a higher survival rate than those that are planted in ridges and south-facing slopes. Secondly, our hypothesis is that existing shrubs (in this case, Cistus ladanifer) can be used to create microclimatic sheltering and increase the survival of Q. suber plantations. In experiment 1, we tested the survival of Q. suber plantations in four different topographic conditions. For that, 80 Q. suber plants were planted over four different topographic conditions, where soil probes were installed to monitor soil moisture and temperature. Two years after, the results show an increased survival rate in the north-facing slope and water line when compared to the ridge area (p = 0.032). In experiment 2, we tested if planting in the shade of rows of C. ladanifer increases the survival rate of Q. suber plantations. For that, 1200 Q. suber plants were planted; 600 in a Montado open area with no shade and 600 under the shade of rows of C. ladanifer shrubs. A total of 17 months after plantation, there was a significantly higher survival rate of the shaded plants (p = 0.027). We conclude that microclimates created by topography and shrubs can have a significant impact on the survival of Q. suber plantations and discuss the situations in which these can apply.

Livestock grazing occupies over a quarter of terrestrial land and is prevalent to agroforestry ecosystems, potentially affecting the survival, growth, and density of trees' early developmental stages, such as seeds, seedlings, and saplings. To address the effects of livestock on tree recruitment in the face of ongoing debates about their impacts, we conducted a 33-year meta-analysis in Quercus -dominated agroforestry systems. Our analysis revealed a consistently negative effect of livestock on oak acorns, seedlings, and saplings. Significantly, livestock body size influenced oak regeneration, with small-sized livestock, notably sheep and goats, having a more pronounced negative impact compared to mixed-size systems, mainly involving cattle and sheep. The effects of small-sized livestock were markedly detrimental on acorn survival and seedling/sapling density, although no studies eligible for meta-analysis examined large livestock impacts on acorns. Overall, mixed-size livestock systems, often involving cattle and sheep, lessen the negative effects. Our findings indicate that the body size and foraging behaviors of livestock should be considered for the ecological sustainability of the tree component in agroforestry systems. While protective measures have long been integral to well-managed agroforestry systems, our results underscore the importance of integrating diverse livestock sizes and applying specific protective strategies, particularly for acorns and saplings, to further refine these practices. Future research should expand to underrepresented regions and livestock types to refine global agroforestry management practices. • Livestock reduces oak tree regeneration at acorn, seedling, and sapling stages. • Small livestock effect is worse, notably for acorn survival and young oak density. • Mixed-size livestock systems reduce harm more than those with only small livestock. • Replacing cattle with sheep is not necessarily less harmful. • Diverse livestock sizes benefit Quercus -dominated agroforestry systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land managers' preferences towards practice- and outcome-based payments for environmental services are analysed using a labelled choice experiment applied to a Mediterranean oak savannah (dehesa or montado) as a case study. Results indicate that land managers prefer outcome- to practice-based payments, equivalent in terms of environmental targets, most probably because they are opposed to the restrictive practices included as requirements in the latter. This preference strongly depends on the environmental policy objective, with land managers being more willing to participate when the outcome-based payment targets carbon sequestration rather than biodiversity. Willingness to accept (WTA) significantly increases when the payment involves a remote-sensing monitoring system, but only for practice-based payments, hinting at differing views of the monitoring system depending on the scheme type. However, a complementary analysis focusing on acreage decision shows non-significant WTA values for the use of remote-sensing monitoring systems in practice-based payments when the requirement of the area enrolled is relaxed. This suggests that land managers may be trading off monitoring intensity against the probability of defaulting. Significant preference heterogeneity is observed, mostly explained by farms' structural and management characteristics. Results point to strong potential for the use of outcome-based payments with remote-sensing monitoring systems in oak savannahs. • Practice- & outcome-based environment-and-climate schemes (pECS & oECS) are studied. • Discrete and acreage decision is modelled based on labelled choice experiment data. • Land managers' WTA is generally higher for pECS than for oECS. • Much higher WTA for oECS targeting biodiversity, probably due to higher uncertainty. • WTA for using remote sensing monitoring differs for pECS and oECS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforestry is the practice of integrating woody vegetation with crops and/or livestock production in order to strengthen ecological services on farmland and achieve a more multi-functional agricultural system. Crop yields determine economic outcomes when trees are young, but information on yields is scattered in the literature and a quantitative overview of crop yields in European agroforestry systems is lacking. We therefore synthesized published information on crop yields in European agroforestry systems, using meta-analysis. A systematic review of the literature was conducted, highlighting quantitative information on yields is available only for traditional Dehesa systems in Spain and Portugal and for modern alley cropping experiments, mostly in northern Europe. Relative cereal crop yields in alley cropping systems (systems with tree rows with interspersed crop strips) were 96% of sole crop yield at tree planting. Crop yields in alley cropping decreased on average with 2.6% per year over the first 21 years of the tree stand, indicating increasing competitive effects of the trees with their age. On the other hand, studies in traditional Dehesa and Montado systems in Southern Europe showed no negative influence of the trees on crop production, indicating that competition between crops and trees plays a less important role in those systems than in alley cropping. Overall, the systematic review showed a need for more experimental data to further substantiate the benefits of agroforestry and elucidate optimal agroforestry practices under European conditions.

Iberian dehesas and montados are agroforestry systems protected by the European Habitats Directive due to high levels of biological diversity associated to their savannah-like structure. Tree scattering in dehesas, montados and other agroforestry systems is, however, known to compromise tree regeneration, although recent work suggests that it may protect tree populations from climate warming by alleviating plant-plant competition. We analyze how climatic conditions, tree isolation and their interactions influence the outcomes of regeneration stages, from flower production to early seedling establishment, using data gathered during the long-term monitoring (2001–2018) of ca. 300 Holm oak Quercus ilex trees located in central Spain. Holm oak reproductive effort, predispersal seed losses, and early seedling recruitment were sensitive to climate change, especially to year-round drought. Effort and early seedling recruitment decreased, while abortion and predispersal seed predation increased, with higher drought intensity. Spring warming increases pollination effectiveness, but had no further effect on acorn crops. Forest clearing seemed to have little scope to ameliorate these negative effects, as shown by weak or no interactive effects between the spatial configuration of trees (cover or isolation) and climate variables (spring temperature or drought intensity). Forest opening aimed at decreasing adult tree mortality under climate change scenarios would then have little or no effects on tree recruitment. Landscape-scale rotations alternating shrub encroachment and thinning along periods adapted to changing climate are proposed as the main management option to preserve both oak forests and dehesas in the long term.

Iberian oak savannahs are traditional silvopastoral systems in which acorns constitute a key food source for livestock. Acorn feeding insects provoke significant economic losses; however, the high natural value of Iberian oak savannahs precludes any chemical treatment. This paper shows a novel way of biological pest control based on promoting livestock predation on these insects. Female Curculio elephas (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) oviposit into developing acorns, which are prematurely abscised before reaching their potential size. Larvae still spend 20 days feeding on the cotyledons after acorn drop, being during this period very vulnerable to predation by livestock. We experimentally assessed that cows, pigs and sheep ate sound and infested acorns in the same proportion, so that infestation rates were lower in those Iberian oak savannahs in which livestock density was higher. An effective biological control of Curculio elephas weevils should involve an early predation of infested acorns by livestock, preferentially within 10 days after falling. Doing this, most larvae will be predated before completing their development and, in addition, the nutritional value of infested acorns will still be high (cotyledons not yet depleted by weevils). We encourage landowners to increase livestock densities during September–October, when the infested acorn dropping peaks. These increased densities should rotate over the farm and be maintained at the same plot for a maximum of 3 years in a row. Otherwise, a prolonged and concentrated livestock predation on sound acorns and seedlings would hamper long-term oak regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The root rot of holm and cork oaks caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi is one of the main phytosanitary problems in dehesas and montados, open woodlands of the Southern Iberian Peninsula. Biofumigation with seed meals rich in sinigrin is a promising technique to diminish the impact of this disease, but verification of its effectiveness is necessary before applying it in the field. The effectiveness to reduce sporangial production of P. cinnamomi and to control disease in holm and cork oak plants of biofumigation with non-defatted seed meal of Brassica juncea and pellets of defatted seed meal of Brassica carinata, combined or not with calcium carbonate, was tested in experimental conditions. The combinations of biofumigant materials and CaCO3 in vitro experiments were more effective in reducing the production of sporangia than the application separately, even with high doses of biofumigants. In plant experiments, none of the treatments significantly reduced disease symptoms in holm oak plants. In cork oak plants, the most effective treatment was seed meal of B. juncea (1.34 g L−1 of substrate) combined with CaCO3 (1.5 g L−1of substrate), although treatments with both doses of B. juncea seed meal (1.34 and 2.68 g L−1 of substrate) and with pellets of B. carinata (1.5 g L−1 of substrate) combined with CaCO3 (1.5 g L−1 of substrate) also significantly reduced root symptom severity in contrast with the inoculated control. Biofumigation with B. juncea seed meal or with B. carinata pellets, combined with the application of CaCO3 can be a tool to integrate control strategies into the disease in the dehesas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]