The oak tree was a boon companion as humans expanded their presence across much of the globe. While oak woodlands (Quercus spp.) come today in stunningly diverse forms, the stately dehesas of Spain and the dramatic oak-dominated ranchlands of California are working landscapes where cultivation and manipulation for a couple of millennia have shaped Mediterranean-type ecosystems into a profoundly modified yet productive environment that is sought-after by every manner of species.

The grazing of wildlife and livestock in oak woodlands yields a remarkable plant and animal biodiversity, creating a mosaic of habitats and visually pleasing savannas. Added products unique to Spain such as Iberian pigs and cork, and in California multiple landowner benefits, include valued ecosystem services that allow owners, visitors, and conservation supporters to experience the benefits of woodland life. With its 15 chapters a decade in the making, this handsomely illustrated book covers key topics in oak woodland policy, ecology, and management in Spain and California, presenting new research results and reviewing an existing expert literature.

Inhalt

Part I: Setting. 1. Working Landscapes of the Spanish Dehesa and the California Oak Woodlands: An Introduction; *L. Huntsinger et al.- *2. History and Recent Trends; ***P.S. Alagona et al.- *Part II: Vegetation.3. Climatic Influence on Oak Landscape Distributions; ***S. Roig et al.- *4. Soil and Water Dynamics; ***S. Schnabel et al.- *5. Oak Regeneration: Ecological Dynamics and Restoration Techniques; ***F. Pulido et al.- *6. Overstory-Understory Relationships; G. Moreno et al.- 7. Acorn Production Patterns; ***W.D. Koenig et al.- *Part III: Management, Uses, and Ecosystem Response.8. Effects of Management On Biological Diversity and Endangered Species; ***M. Díaz et al.- *9. Models of Oak Woodland Silvopastoral Management; R.B. Standiford et al.- 10. Raising Livestock in Oak Woodlands; J. de Dios Vargas et al.- 11. Hunting in Managed Oak Woodlands: Contrasts among Similarities; L.T. Macaulay et al.- Part IV: Economics.12. Economics of Ecosystem Services; A. Caparrós et al.- 13. The Private Economy of Dehesas and Ranches: Case Studies; J.L. Oviedo et al.- Part V: Landscape.14. Recent Oak Woodlands Dynamics: A Comparative Ecological Study at the Landscape Scale; R. Elena-Rosselló et al.- Part VI: Conclusions.15. Whither Working Oak Woodlands?;*P.F. Starrs et al*.