Flora and fauna of the dehesa: biodiversity, uses and protection

The dehesa landscape exemplifies the extraordinary relationship between humans and the natural environment, being one of the richest and most unique ecosystems on the Iberian Peninsula. While human action can cause damage to ecosystems, the dehesa is a paradigmatic example of how a traditional and sustainable management has favored coexistence between biodiversity, crop y economic exploitationIn this tour, we take an in-depth look at what a dehesa is, its ecological characteristics, its economic and cultural value, and the distinctive flora and fauna that inhabit it, integrating up-to-date and detailed information from the most renowned studies and descriptions.

What is a pasture?

La pasture It is an agroforestry ecosystem formed mainly by trees of the genus Quercus (holm oaks, cork oaks, and gall oaks) accompanied by grasslands and, to a lesser extent, Mediterranean scrub. This open landscape, the result of centuries of human management, has become a unique habitat where wild flora, native fauna, and human activities such as Extense livestock farming, the collection of forest products and rural tourism.

Unlike other dense Mediterranean forests, the dehesa is characterized by the presence of scattered trees, alternating with areas of grass and shrubs, thus promoting a great environmental heterogeneity and important ecological niches for plant and animal species.

The origin of the dehesa dates back to the Middle Ages, when the Mediterranean forests began to be cleared by the grazing and agriculture. Thus, the dehesa is the result of a conscious transformation of the natural landscape to adapt it to traditional uses, allowing for the maintenance of high biodiversity and natural values.

Characteristics that define the pasture

• Agrosilvopastoral use: It combines agricultural, forestry and livestock farming, with cattle, sheep, goats and especially pigs being the main economic driver.
• Open landscape and mosaicTrees such as holm oak, cork oak and gall oak grow scattered over a carpet of grasses and shrubs, which facilitates the coexistence of open-air species and forest species.
• Sustainable human management: It has been shaped and preserved through ancestral practices such as montanera, cork stripping, pruning and browsing, which contribute to maintaining the structure and functionality of the ecosystem.
• High biodiversity: The variety of strata (herbaceous, shrubby and arboreal), the presence of microhabitats and the alternation of use zones, promote the coexistence of a great diversity of plant and animal species.

Land use and ecological structure

In the dehesa, the soil is mainly divided into natural grasslands with scattered trees. The predominant plant species include the holm oak (Quercus ilex), the cork oak (Quercus suber), oaks, carob trees, and ash trees. The herbaceous layer is made up of grasses and legumes that provide food for livestock for most of the year.

Open landscape and functionality

The dehesa maintains a semi-open wooded area which ensures the development of grasslands and shrublands under the protection of trees. This structure provides refuge and food areas for numerous species.

Presence of herbivores and native livestock

Extensive livestock farming is one of the essential activities in the dehesa. Native breeds stand out such as Iberian pigs, Merino sheep, Retinta, Avilanian, or Morucha cows, and Verata or Retinta goats. These areas also breed fighting bulls and purebred Spanish horses. Grazing and animal rotation contribute to the soil fertility and the preservation of the ecosystem.

Variety of species and refuge for biodiversity

The fauna of the dehesa is enormously diverseIn addition to livestock, there are endangered species such as the Iberian lynx (lynx pardinus), the Iberian imperial eagle (Aquila Adalberti), the black stork (ciconia nigra) and the black vulture (Aegypius monachus).

• Wild mammals: Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), deer (Cervus elaphus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), fox, wild cat.
• Small mammals and rodents: Field mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), dormouse.
• Birds: More than 60 nesting species such as the red kite, the griffon vulture, the tawny owl (Strix aluco), hoopoe (Upupa epops), whitetail, wren, wood pigeon.
• Reptiles and amphibians: Ocellated lizard, Montpellier snake, Natterjack toad.
• Insects and bees: A large amount of pollinators essential for the balance of the system.

In addition, hollows and wounds in tree trunks Pruning and corking products provide microhabitats for insectivorous birds, reptiles and mammals.

The economic importance of the pasture

• Extensive livestock farmingThe production of meat, milk, cheeses, and acorn-fed Iberian ham supports thousands of rural families. The Iberian pig, raised free-range during the montanera period on acorns, is a symbol of the dehesa and Spanish gastronomy.
• Forestry: Sustainable extraction of cork The cork oak, without harming the tree, represents a key economic source that maintains forests and promotes the circular economy.
• Forest products: Collection of acorns, mushrooms, honey, truffles, aromatic plants and firewood.
• Rural and recreational tourismThe growing interest in nature tourism and experiences linked to rural life and wildlife observation increases its economic value and helps to establish a population in rural areas. For more information on other natural areas, please visit the best gardens in Madrid.

The dehesa, for its multifunctional function, is an example of green economy and sustainable development.

The cultural and historical value of the pasture

This unique landscape is a reflection of a wise interaction between man and nature, keeping ancestral uses and customs such as pig montanera, livestock management, corkage, and traditional cheese production. The dehesa has maintained ways of life and agricultural and livestock techniques that have disappeared in other regions, becoming a crucial part of the Iberian Peninsula's cultural heritage.

Local communities have passed down knowledge about the Sustainable management of the dehesa, ensuring a balance between exploitation and conservation that today serves as an international model for the conservation of cultural landscapes. If you want to learn more about the flora and fauna of the dehesa, we recommend visiting know the diseases of the cork oak.

Ecological value and environmental function of the dehesa

The dehesa is not only a productive space, but also fulfills essential ecological functions:

• Biodiversity refuge: Its stratified structure (soil, scrub and trees) and mosaic of microhabitats allow the coexistence of numerous species, including some endemic and threatened ones.
• CO absorption₂Trees and grasslands act as carbon sinks, helping to mitigate climate change.
• Preventing desertificationTrees and vegetation cover reduce soil erosion and improve water infiltration, regulating water cycles and recharging aquifers.
• Natural firebreak: Dehesas act as a barrier to forest fires thanks to their open structure and soil management.

For all these reasons, the dehesa has been recognized as Habitat of Community Interest in the Natura 2000 Network under the name "Evergreen Quercus Pastures".

What kind of flora do we find in the dehesa?

La The dehesa stands out for its highly diversified flora, organized into several strata:

• Tree stratum: Species of the genus predominate Quercus such as holm oak, cork oak, and gall oak. There may also be ash trees and, to a lesser extent, Pyrenean oak and chestnut trees.
• Shrub stratum: Presence of rockroses, strawberry trees, heather, broom, mastic trees, cornicabras, hawthorns, blackberries, honeysuckle, wild roses and aromatic plants such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage and lavender.
• Herbaceous layer: Grasses and legumes, among which are Bulbous poa, Trifolium subterraneum, wild oats, barley, cocksfoot, and sainfoin. This carpet guarantees year-round food for herbivores.
• Emblematic plants: Gorse, chamomile, mint, rushes and wild asparagus that provide culinary and ecological value.

Main tree species

• Holm oak (Quercus ilex): A protagonist of the landscape, its acorns are a key source of food for livestock and wildlife.
• Cork oak (Quercus suber): It provides cork and acorns. Its bark is sustainably harvested.
• oak (Quercus faginea): Especially present in humid areas.
• Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia): It complements the tree diversity in cool areas.
• Stone pine: In mixed pastures it produces pine nuts, food for birds and mammals.
• Chestnut and peach: Located in humid areas, they provide valuable fruits for animal feed.

Grasslands and scrublands

Grasslands constitute the food base of the system, being rich in annual species and small perennials, configured thanks to the intensive grazingScrubland, although less abundant in heavily grazed areas, can include rockrose, lavender, rosemary, and yellow broom, as well as strawberry trees and heather in less disturbed areas.

• Majadal: Dense grass generated by the action of cattle, favored by the soil fertility and microbial activity.
• Crops: In more affected areas, barley, oats, wheat, and vetch-oats are planted to feed livestock in times of scarcity.

The richness of flora ensures the provision of food, shade, protection, and shelter, in addition to promoting pollination and the biodiversity of the system.

Fauna of the dehesa: a paradise of biodiversity

Domestic and wild animals coexist in the dehesa, creating one of the largest faunal mosaics in Europe.

• Large mammals: Iberian lynx, deer, wild boar, fox, wild cat, rabbit, Iberian hare.
• Small mammals: Hedgehog, field mouse, dormouse.
• Birds: More than 60 nesting species, including the imperial eagle, red kite, black vulture, griffon vulture, white and black stork, hoopoe, long-tailed wagtail, wren, wood pigeon, and European turtledove.
• Reptiles and amphibians: Ocellated lizard, Montpellier snake, natterjack toad, spadefoot toad.
• Invertebrates and pollinators: Butterflies, bees, beetles, ants—many of them essential to the ecosystem's life cycle.

The alternation of open spaces and wooded areas allows the coexistence of raptors, superpredators and necrophagous species, creating a landscape of enormous value for the study and conservation of wildlife.

Distribution and current challenges of the dehesa

The dehesa covers millions of hectares on the Iberian Peninsula, with Extremadura being the region with the largest area, followed by Andalusia, Castile and León, and Castile-La Mancha. Sustainable management and regional conservation plans seek to maintain its ecological, economic, and cultural potential.

However, the dehesa faces serious challenges:

• Drought and changes resulting from climate change that endanger the balance of the system.
• Diseases such as dry weather, caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi, which affects thousands of trees and threatens the continued existence of the forest. To learn more about this topic, you can visit .
• Loss of profitability of extensive livestock farming, increased maintenance costs and lack of generational change.
• Abandonment of the pastures, which favors closed scrubland and reduces biodiversity.

The conservation of the dehesa requires active management, institutional support, and the economic and social valorization of the products derived from this unique ecosystem. Promoting the circular economy, sustainable tourism, and environmental education are key to ensuring its survival.

The dehesa is a priceless environmental, cultural, and economic legacy that combines nature, tradition, and innovation. It is home to ancestral uses and biodiversity, providing goods, ecosystem services, and a landscape of exceptional beauty. Its protection and sustainable management ensure that these lands continue to be a source of life and wealth for present and future generations.