The evolution of the landscape

Marker 17The rural exodus (from the second half of the 19th century onwards), diseases, and a lack of maintenance mean that most chestnut orchards look abandoned. When the trees die, clearings open up and rapidly give way to more dynamic species, such as holm oak, broom, heather, ferns, etc. Wild boar, stags and deer today use the undergrowth, where they feed on fruits and bulbs. Trunks and foliage are much appreciated by nuthatches, mistle thrush, woodpeckers, treecreepers, European pied flycatcher, tawny owl, etc., not forgetting foxes, badgers, genets, and beech martens, which also frequent these environments.