In the past 20 years, the use of natural resources in the 'dehesa' (Mediterranean forested area located in the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula) changed from a subsistence economic system (family livestock farming, firewood, charcoal, hunting, etc.) to an integrated profit-oriented system. The 'dehesa's' source of wealth is based on annual production of fruits (acorns and oaks) within an ecosystem characterized by poor soils and low rainfall. Because of their lipid content, with high levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids, acorns are a perfect feed for animals that are slaughtered at high weights and used for high-quality products. The presence of oak forests in North Africa, with the same characteristics as the Iberian 'dehesa' forest, may be a good reason for setting up collaboration programmes between geographic regions of comparable potential. The final goal of these programmes should be to improve income levels of people living in rural and forest areas.