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By fostering a balanced and symbiotic relationship between livestock and their environment, silvopastoral systems also offer pragmatic solutions to contemporary environmental challenges, including climate change and wildfire management. This chapter investigates the complex interactions occurring on the Iberian Peninsula between key oak species—holm oak (Quercus ilex L.), cork oak (Quercus suber L.), and Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.)—and various livestock species, including ruminants (sheep, goats, cattle) and monogastric animals (horses, pigs). The chapter aims to show the pivotal role of Mediterranean silvopastoral systems as resilient and sustainable agroforestry models, with a particular focus on their economic, ecological, and cultural significance. By examining these systems, the chapter underscores the synergistic interplay between anthropogenic activities and natural ecosystems, highlighting their potential to support sustainable land management practices and biodiversity conservation within Mediterranean landscapes.
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Functional interactions within silvopastoral systems
- 3 Silvopastoral ecosystem services and disservices in the Mediterranean region
- 4 Tree cover, forage productivity, and nutritional value
- 5 Tree cover and livestock welfare
- 6 The complex interplay between grazing animals and forest trees
- 7 Silvopastoralism in Iberia: integrating nature, culture, and agriculture
- 8 Vegetative components of Iberian silvopastoral systems
- 9 Domestic ruminant species in silvopastoral systems
- 10 Conclusion: challenges facing Iberian silvopastoral systems
- 11 Where to look for further information
- 12 References