Bogs and deforestation: the evolution of landscape through the documentary sources (Bonales of Puebla de Don Rodrigo, Ciudad Real)

Abstract

The surroundings of Puebla de Don Rodrigo (Ciudad Real) constitute one of the areas of greatest natural interest inside the Iberian Peninsula among other reasons, due to the presence of a set of acidic peat bogs of reduced extension known locally as "bonales". This paper focuses on the analysis of the singular features in the landscape of this territory, especially from the sixteenth century. Knowing the conditions at the time, some of which corresponded to cold events so-called Little Ice Age, will allow enlighten of the evolution experienced by these wetlands to date, inferring that a secular and intense deforestation is responsible of the genesis of the transformations of the environment. Also, and specifically, it is the cause of the development of waterlogging which has allowed the presence of these peaty wetlands of great natural value.