| Despite their ecological, patrimonial and socio-economical importance, cork Oak woodlands in southwestern Europe are vulnerable to intensification or agricultural abandonment. CREOAX will develop the scientific and technical tools for conservation, restoration and extension of cork Oak woodlands. These objectives will be achieved by 1-Collections of tree material from various geographical origins and genetic variation 2-Studies of physiological responses of cork Oak, mycorrhized or not, to drought and nutrient stresses 3-Studies of mechanisms of acorn viability during storage, and development of propagation techniques 4-Field trials to test varying management practices and study the performance of selected tree-mycorrhizae couples 5-Ecological and economic modelling of impacts of fire and agro forestry on biodiversity, productivity and stability of cork Oak woodlands, and pathways for their restoration or extension. |