Land use, biodiversity conservation, and rural development in the dehesas of Cuatro Lugares, Spain

摘要: Dehesas are an agrosilvopastoral system that has enhanced the maintenance of extraordinarily high biodiversity. The traditional use is characterized by mixed livestock raising at low stocking densities, employment hardy regional breeds and elaborated exploitation holm oaks. Livestock production traditionally been accompanied arable systems with long rotations closed nutrient cycles without external inputs fodder, fertilizers agro-chemicals. Modern trends a specialization toward lamb beef intensive techniques like free-range grazing levels or crossbreeding high-performance breeds. A model income statement shows create 49.91 US$ per ewe year on average basis. central problem for continuity dehesas gradual decay tree canopy. Intensification agricultural abandonment practices additionally threaten biodiversity within dehesas. authors suggest foundation biosphere reserve in Cuatro Lugares as framework sustainable development