Search Results (6)

Chestnut blight, caused by Cryphonectria parasitica, is a severe disease that may be biologically controlled by the use of hypovirulent strains, but the diversity of the pathogen population affects biocontrol feasibility. Villuercas–Ibores–Jara, the Jerte Valley and La Vera are the main chestnut production districts in Cáceres (central-western Spain). The purpose of this study is to determine the Vegetative Compatibility Groups (VCGs) and mating types in these districts and to identify hypovirulent isolates to be used in biological control. The VCGs were determined by the merging/barrage response; PCR tests were used for the mating type determination and CHV-1 hypovirus detection. In total, 40 sites were surveyed and 269 isolates were obtained, most of them (227) from the Villuercas–Ibores–Jara district, where EU11 was the predominant VCG (88.1%) with EU1 (6.6%) and EU12 (4.4%) being also present. In the Jerte Valley and La Vera, EU1 (61.9%), EU11 (11.9%) and EU12 (11.9%) were the predominant VCGs. Both mating types were detected (48% MAT-1; 50% MAT-2) and in general, only one mating type was found in each site. The presence of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV-1), subtype I, was identified in only one isolate (VCG EU11) from Villuercas–Ibores–Jara. The characteristics of the C. parasitica population in this district and the occurrence of CHV-1 hypovirus support the potential of successful biological control in Villuercas–Ibores–Jara using hypovirulent strains, while in the Jerte Valley and La Vera only preventive measures are recommended. Full article

The dehesa is one of the main agricultural landscapes in the Extremadura region. It is currently undergoing a production crisis caused by changes in the market, including the abandonment of uses linked to its exploitation. This situation could lead to the disappearance of this unique landscape due to its anthropogenic nature. It is therefore necessary to develop alternative activities to improve its productive profitability, which could include sustainable hunting. The hunting literature recognizes the role it plays in environmental, economic, and social sustainability, with hunting tourism being one of the productive activities that generates the most wealth within the sector, where big game hunting is of great importance. In this scenario, the regions of Villuercas-Ibores-Jara and La Siberia have an ideal landscape for the development of this modality due to their physical characteristics. For this reason, this study carried out an analysis of the situation of hunting tourism in these areas through the dissemination of a questionnaire among the managers of rural accommodation in the study area. The responses recorded were processed using statistical techniques that allowed us to extract interesting results such as the importance of hunting as a tourist resource, with a large number of big game species living in these areas, the high presence of hunters in these lodgings during the hunting season, the role that hunting plays in environmental, economic, and social sustainability, and the need to create a specific tourist product that meets the needs of the demand of hunters. Full article

Tourist activity offers numerous possibilities for socioeconomic growth while promoting the dissemination, recognition, and appreciation of heritage. Nevertheless, tourism based on a mercantilist approach, oriented mainly towards the maximization of economic benefits and the massive attraction of visitors, can pose a threat to the conservation and integrity of heritage assets. In this panorama of vulnerability, heritage education stands as a primary strategy to resolve the tensions between heritage and tourism. Based on this premise, research aimed at stimulating tourism activity committed to education and sustainability is presented. Said study is framed in three counties of the region of Extremadura, selected for being great centers of tourist attraction: the Monfragüe National Park, the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark, and the monumental city of Trujillo. The results reveal that introducing educational principles is decisive in improving the value and competitiveness of tourist destinations and contributing to regional development. Despite this, the approaches of heritage education are not yet sufficiently integrated into tourism plans, which distances the territories from sustainability. Full article

Conservation of the environment has become a key factor in tourist development, as is shown by the increase in visitors to natural parks and other places with rich ecosystems. Protected areas have become polarised centers for tourists of very varied characteriztics, not only for those who make them their main destination, but also for those who travel to nearby areas. This situation can be observed in Extremadura, where numerous tourists make the best use of their stay in the main centers of tourist attractions of the region to make local trips and thus get to know the most significant natural areas. These movements are being detected in varied aspects of demand, sometimes with little connection between the main and secondary motivation for the trip. We therefore consider a variable percentage of tourists visiting the main cultural destinations of Extremadura who use part of their stay to get to know protected areas. With the aim of structuring the research, we made a systematic study of tourists who spent the night in the cities of Cáceres and Mérida, which are World Heritage sites. During their stay, they visited prestigious natural places such as Monfragüe National Park, the Villuercas–Ibores–Jara Geopark, the Tajo Internacional Nature Reserve, and the Garganta de los Infiernos Nature Reserve. This information was obtained by carrying out surveys, which allowed us to determine the attraction capacity of each protected area by applying a network analysis. The results reflect a heterogeneous type of visitor who travels to the most appreciated areas following guidelines marked by the time of the year, his/her preferences, and the duration of his/her trip. Full article

The UNESCO Global Geoparks is a good didactic instrument that allows teaching territorial elements in transversal way. The geopark provides a means to address the teaching-learning process of both cultural values and natural values, including geology. This paper aims to highlight the educational activities that have emerged from the Villuercas UNESCO Global Geopark. For this purpose, a qualitative methodology based on document analysis and fieldwork has been used. Through a system of categories, we have analyzed the existing materials on the geopark’s website, its activity book and the schools that have been part of its educational project. The geopark and educational centers collaboration has 76 educational proposals that are developed in the territory of the geopark. Since 2011, all schools in its area of action participate in its educational project with a total of 2500 students per year. The Villuercas geopark involves all students in its territory and encourages learning of a significant, transversal and collaborative type. In the same way, it has a positive impact on environmental awareness and respect for the environment and cultural resources. Full article

Geological heritage has become a tourist resource with huge potential in certain areas, which has given rise to a tourism category known as geotourism which has entered the generic framework of rural tourism. The main elements around which geotourism revolves are geoparks and geosites. However, despite the recognized role which is played by the latter as a tourist resource, there is a widespread lack of knowledge of the characteristics of the demand. This study aims to characterize the demand of the Villuercas–Jara–Ibores geopark in Spain based on information provided by surveys which has subsequently been processed by means of a Geographical Information System. The results obtained allow the differentiation of various types of profile of those providing the demand according to whether we consider visitors to the geopark as a whole or whether we separate tourists (visitors who spend the night in the geopark) from visitors (visitors who do not stay there). Among our main conclusions it should be emphasized that it is only possible to establish a difference between tourists and visitors if the main motivations are taken into account. It should also be stressed that the geopark operates as an internal tourist destination for those spending the night in other regions of Extremadura. Full article