ABOUT THIS BOOK

Cork oak has historically been an important species in the western Mediterranean—ecologically as a canopy or “framework” 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.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

James Aronson is a researcher at the Center of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology (CNRS) in Montpellier, France, and head of the Restoration Ecology group at the Missouri Botanical Garden, USA.

João S. Pereira is a professor of ecology and president of the Scientific Council of the Technical University of Lisbon.

Juli G. Pausas is an ecologist of the Spanish National Research Council CIDE,
CSIC). His research focuses on ecology and evolution of Mediterranean plants.

REVIEWS

"This comprehensive account of Mediterranean cork oak trees and the cultural landscapes they have dominated for millennia reveals much about ecology, management, history, and culture. The contributors represent an international group of researchers and managers engaged in exploring and restoring these emblematic ecosystems."
— Francis E. Putz, Department of Biology, University of Florida

"This book brings together the best of the ecological and social sciences to assess the condition of an iconic ecosysytem of the western Mediterranean world, with results as useful and beautiful as the cork oak itself."
— J.R. McNeill, Georgetown University, author of Something New Under the Sun

"Cork Oak Woodlands on the Edge provides a broad introduction to a vanishing cultural landscape. Cork oak woodlands are rich in species and also in traditional knowledge and lessons for understanding and coping with global change."
— Fernando Valladares, Instituto de Recursos Naturales, CSIC, and Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid

"[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."
— International Journal of Environmental Studies

"Cork oak forests have coevolved with human societies for thousands of years. They support the livelihoods of millions of people and are a key component of treasured Mediterranean landscapes, but the pressures on these forests have never been greater. This scholarly work offers a wealth of knowledge on the management and restoration of a critical forest system and contains much of significance to those concerned with our relationship to all forests worldwide."
— Jeff Sayer, science advisor, IUCN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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