LIFE Project: Revitalizing extensive semi-arid agricultural habitats through the sustainable management of their associated scrubland areas

Much of Europe's biodiversity is closely linked to traditional and extensive agricultural practices. Agroecosystems represent 38% of the total area of the Natura 2000 network, mostly made up of extensive agricultural systems. In fact, 58 habitat types (of which 23 are priority habitats) under the EU Habitats Directive are considered key agricultural habitats, and a third of them are entirely dependent on appropriate agricultural practices, such as livestock farming or permanent or low-intensity cropping systems. Dehesas/montados (comprising habitat types 6310, 9330, and 9430) are characteristic of the Iberian Peninsula (around 3 million ha in Spain and Portugal) but are also present in Italy and France. Their conservation status has been repeatedly diagnosed as "unfavorable," mainly due to livestock intensification and the phytosanitary problems manifested in their ancient forests.

One of the key elements for the conservation and good health of the dehesa is its scrubland, but these have been eradicated in many extensive farms, resulting in habitat simplification, the emergence of diseases, and the consequent loss of biodiversity. Structurally diverse scrubland plays an important role in landscape diversification and the creation of habitat for many species, such as refuges for vertebrates, nesting sites for birds, and wintering sites for amphibians and reptiles. Scrubland also contributes to soil stability and function, among other socioeconomic and environmental benefits. Therefore, scrubland should be part of any sustainable dehesa habitat management model, especially within high-biodiversity habitat types, including Olea and Ceratonia forests (9320), and arborescent scrubland with Juniperus spp. (5210), Thermo-Mediterranean and pre-desert scrubland (5330), Mediterranean temporary ponds (3170*) and Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annual plants (Thero-Brachypodietea) (6220*).