Cork oak has historically been an important species in the western Mediterranean'ecologically as a canopy or frameworka tree in natural woodlands, and culturally as an economically valuable resource that underpins local economies. Both the natural woodlands and the derived cultural systems are experiencing rapid change, and whether or not they are resilient enough to adapt to that change is an open question.
Cork Oak Woodlands on the Edge provides a synthesis of the most up-to-date, scientific, and practical information on the management of cork oak woodlands and the cultural systems that depend on cork oak.
In addition, Cork Oak Woodlands on the Edge offers ten site profiles written by local experts that present an in-depth vision of cork oak woodlands across a range of biophysical, historical, and cultural contexts, with sixteen pages of full-color photos that illustrate the tree, agro-silvopastoral systems, products, resident biodiversity, and more.
Cork Oak Woodlands on the Edge is an important book for anyone interested in the future of cork oak woodlands, or in the management of cultural landscapes and their associated land-use systems. In a changing world full of risks and surprises, it represents an excellent example of a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to studying, managing, and restoring an ecosystem, and will serve as a guide for other studies of this kind.
Preface Acknowledgments Introduction
PART I. Cork Oak Trees and Woodlands Chapter 1. The Tree Chapter 2. Origin and Genetic Variability Chapter 3. Open Woodlands: A Diversity of Uses (and Overuses) Chapter 4. Historical Perspective of Montados: The Example of Évora Chapter 5. Cork Bottle Stoppers and Other Cork Products
PART II. Scientific Bases for Restoration and Management Chapter 6. Coping with Drought Chapter 7. Mycorrhizal Symbiosis and Its Role in Seedling Response to Drought Chapter 8. Soil Propertied Constraining Cork Oak Distribution Chapter 9. Coping with Pests and Diseases Chapter 10. Natural Degeneration
PART III. Restoration in Practice Chapter 11. Germplasm Selection and Nursery Techniques Chapter 12. Field Techniques to Improve Cork Oak Establishment
PART IV. Economic Analysis Chapter 13. Mixed Cork Oak-Stone Pine Woodlands in the Alentejo Region of Portugal Chapter 14. Cork Oak Woodland Conservation and Household Subsistence Economy Challenges in Northern Tunisia Chapter 15. Cost-Benefit Analysis of Cork Oak Woodland Afforestation and Facilitated Natural Regeneration in Spain Chapter 16. Manufacture and Trade of Cork Products: An International Perspective
PART V. Challenges For The Future Chapter 17. Ecoregional Planning for Biodiversity Conservation Chapter 18. Facing Climate Change Chapter 19. Simulating Function and Vulnerability of Cork Oak Woodland Ecosystems Chapter 20. The Way Forward
Glossary References Editors Species Index Index
"[Cork Oak Woodlands on the Edge] is well written, technical and scientifically sound and, being very comprehensive, gives the reader a complete picture of the problem. I think this book is a must for all people interested in climate change and restoration of ecosystems. By reading this you will understand the importance of the use of cork products; that is, the economic importance of such products for the producer countries who have a considerable workforce allocated to this activity."
