INTEGRAL SUSTAINABILITY MODELS AND RESILIENCE OF THE DEHESA-MONTADO IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE THREATS

Program: Interreg VA Spain-Portugal (POCTEP)

Duration: (01/09/2023-31/12/2026)

Introduction: The dehesa-montado, which occupies 30% of the land area in Extremadura and Alentejo, constitutes a crucial habitat and productive system. This environment not only generates employment in rural areas and contributes to population retention but also provides various ecosystem services and hosts rich biodiversity. Given its vast extent and intrinsic characteristics, it has considerable potential in risk prevention, increasingly affecting the cross-border territory, such as wildfires, floods, or desertification. Moreover, it plays a significant role in mitigating these risks due to its carbon capture capacity.

However, climate change poses a serious threat to the survival of this system. Regeneration is lacking, tree and animal diseases are increasing, and there is progressive degradation of soils and pastures. These challenges, in turn, contribute to a crisis in the productive activities and social fabric that sustain this unique ecosystem.

Main Objective:

The main objective of the project is:

– To implement and disseminate actions that contribute to the restoration, adaptation to climate change, and enhancement of the dehesa-montado, as a means for its preservation and economic and environmental resilience, as well as for creating territorial resilience.

SOS_PRODEHESAMONTADO proposes solutions to key factors for the resilience of the system:

• The low success rate of tree regeneration and its diseases,

• Soil and pasture degradation,

• Regulatory difficulties that hinder adaptation,

• Limited recognition and compensation for the environmental benefits provided,

• Challenges in adaptive management related to property issues,

• Low generational turnover and inadequate training,

• Poor communication among key stakeholders.