Dehesa de San Francisco, located in the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche and managed by the Monte Mediterráneo Foundation, is making progress with an ambitious environmental restoration programme as part of the LIFE SCRUBSNET project. This 516-hectare estate combines productive activities—cattle, sheep and pig farming, and cork production—with conservation measures and sustainable management of the dehesa forest.
The main actions include:
- Naturalisation of reservoirs, including cleaning, revegetation with aquatic plants and shrubs, and the installation of wildlife shelters.
- Creation of ‘shrub islands’ in rabbit breeding areas, with the planting of multiple native species and shelters for small animals.
- Linear shrub structures on slopes to retain water, stabilise the soil and promote the natural regeneration of drought-adapted shrubs.
- Scrub management and tree regeneration through selective thinning, conservation of stream banks, and monitoring of Quercus species and noble shrubs.
- Wildlife conservation through the installation of nest boxes for birds and monitoring of endangered species such as the black vulture, red kite, and imperial eagle.
These actions seek to improve biodiversity, promote the natural regeneration of vegetation and ensure a balance between agricultural production and conservation of the natural environment. Continuous monitoring of results allows strategies to be adjusted according to local conditions, reinforcing the multifunctional management model of the dehesa.
The project demonstrates that it is possible to integrate environmental sustainability and productive activity in rural areas, providing valuable lessons for the restoration of Mediterranean ecosystems throughout Europe.