The Evolution of Forest Landscapes in Spain’s Central Mountain Range: Different Forests for Different Traditional Uses

Abstract

The main objective of this chapter is to characterize the different phases of forestry uses and their impact of forest dynamics on the northern and southern slopes of the Somosierra and Ayllón mountain ranges (Madrid-Segovia, Spain). Thus, we attempt to define long-term models reflecting forest dynamics. To this end, there is a vital need to break down our large study area into smaller zones, known in Spanish as “montes”, and to define in each of these the current features of their vegetation and to identify the historical uses and exploitation systems that have shaped them.