In the Dehesa de San Francisco, a measure has been implemented to create shrub islands, aimed at improving biodiversity in areas that are difficult to access for other activities due to their steep slopes, which were previously fenced off and used for rabbit breeding.
Ten islands of shrub vegetation, each measuring 36 m², have been established, and in January 2023 a total of 180 seedlings per island were planted, corresponding to 16 species selected for their ecological role within the dehesa system. As complementary measures, specific shelters and drinking troughs for rabbits were installed.
During the two years following planting, intensive maintenance and species replacement was carried out due to the low survival rate caused by soil and climatic conditions: the steep slope favours erosion, and the region experiences prolonged droughts and extreme weather events that hinder the development of new plantations.
After two and a half years of monitoring, the average survival rate was 7%. The best-performing species were Cistus salvifolius (31%) and Salvia rosmarinus (15%), while other species, such as Salvia officinalis, Cytisus scoparius and Arbutus unedo, did not survive.
These results highlight the need to adapt restoration strategies in areas with extreme conditions, prioritising more resistant species that are better adapted to aridity. In addition, three of the eight fenced corridors on the estate are being restored through the selective removal of Cistus spp., the planting of noble shrubs, formative pruning and the installation of irrigation systems, with the aim of increasing scrub density and ecological connectivity.
With this measure, Dehesa de San Francisco reinforces its commitment to biodiversity conservation and the ecological restoration of its Mediterranean ecosystems, combining agricultural production with environmental protection.
