The inter-relationships between populations, anthropogenic components of landscapes, the environment, and abiotic--biotic components of landscapes have a fundamental role both in the configuration and dynamics of landscapes. This aspect is of vital importance in landscapes subject to human influence, where social, economic, and ecological interactions, as well as feedback instruments, manage biodiversity and ecosystem services. Although it may seem unusual to us, biodiversity in cultural landscapes is sometimes greater than in natural landscapes, depending on the interaction between nature and human actions. In this frame of reference, traditional land-use practices in the northwest Iberian mountains have created a well-structured system controlled by seasonal cycles and human activity patterns. However, in recent decades, socioeconomic globalization has prompted complex changes in rural areas. Land abandonment has reduced open spaces and has brought about an increase in forest land or/and forestry systems, affecting both ecosystem services and biodiversity. Therefore, landscape homogenization results in a decrease in open habitats, an additional problem for the conservation of agropastoral activities, and an increased risk of destructive forest fires due to less fragmentation of forest areas. Their sustainability depends on traditional conservation: extensive grazing and suitable forest management. The environmental, cultural, and economic integration of agropastoral and forestry activities is vital to ensure the heterogeneity of landscapes, together with biodiversity and ecosystem services. Extensive grazing allowing a suitable livestock concentration in small areas avoids soil erosion and vegetation deterioration, increases mosaic diversity, and maintains open habitats. Selective felling is an economically viable and environmentally integrated silvicultural treatment that reduces forest fires by promoting landscape fragmentation.