Extremadura dehesa, Spain
Dehesa is a multifunctional agropastoral system and cultural landscape of southern and central Spain and southern Portugal where it covers around 12500 square miles. Dehesas may be private or communal property (usually belonging to the municipality).
The dehesa is derived from the Mediterranean forest ecosystem consisting of pastureland featuring herbaceous species for grazing and tree species such as holm and cork oak.
Dehesas are used primarily for grazing by cattle, sheep and goats and they also produce a variety of products including non-timber forest products such as wild game, mushrooms, honey, cork, and firewood.
Oaks are protected and pruned to produce acorns which the famous black Iberian pigs feed on in the autumn. Ham produced from Iberian pigs fattened with acorns and then air dried at high elevations is known as jamon which sells for premium prices.
Dehesa is an agropastoral system that not only provides a variety of foods and other products but it also a very important wildlife habitat supporting many rare species.
Date: 28th April 2012
Location: Rio Almonte bridge to Monroy, Extremadura, Spain
The dehesa is derived from the Mediterranean forest ecosystem consisting of pastureland featuring herbaceous species for grazing and tree species such as holm and cork oak.
Dehesas are used primarily for grazing by cattle, sheep and goats and they also produce a variety of products including non-timber forest products such as wild game, mushrooms, honey, cork, and firewood.
Oaks are protected and pruned to produce acorns which the famous black Iberian pigs feed on in the autumn. Ham produced from Iberian pigs fattened with acorns and then air dried at high elevations is known as jamon which sells for premium prices.
Dehesa is an agropastoral system that not only provides a variety of foods and other products but it also a very important wildlife habitat supporting many rare species.
Date: 28th April 2012
Location: Rio Almonte bridge to Monroy, Extremadura, Spain
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Also in: South and west Spain - April and May 2012
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