Abstract
Aim of study: The aim of this work is to test the positive effect of a substantially developed resin sector on rural demographic evolution. This work shows how in the period between 1970 and 2010 the demographic decline in the interior regions of Spain was more pronounced in areas characterized by the importance of resin-producing forest stands compared to other nearby rural municipalities where this natural resource is not present.Area of study: The study area consists of a set of rural municipalities in Central Spain, both resin and non-resin producing, in the provinces of Segovia, Avila, Valladolid, Burgos, Soria, Cuenca and Guadalajara.Material and methods: The relationship between resin production and population in resin and non-resin producing municipalities was modeled by means of linear regression analysis.Main results: Generally speaking, between 1950 and 1970 the production of resin halted demographic decline in the regions where this activity was substantially developed. However, when the resin sector entered into crisis in the 1970s, and the economic repercussions of this activity gradually ceased to be felt, the demographic decline in the regions which had been involved in resin production was much more acute than in other non-resin-producing rural areas.Research highlights: This work shows the relationship between resin extraction activity and population evolution in rural municipalities. Sustainable resin exploitation can contribute to the maintenance and development of rural communities, and should be used as a tool for generating employment in rural areas.Key words: demography; economic crisis; resin sector; rural development.
Highlights
The demographic crisis which occurred as a result of the population exodus towards urban areas with greater economic development (Marsden, 1998) has affected a large number of rural regions in the interior of Spain since 1950 (Paniagua, 2000; Camarero, 2002)
The analysis of the relationship between demographic evolution and resin production presented in this paper focuses on the rural areas located in the interior of Spain (Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla-León regions) and on their associated industrial sector, as it offers a good example of similar developments in many other mountain areas in Spain
The statistical analyses highlight the close relation which exists between the decreasing demographic evolution in resin-producing areas and the fall in resin production, as well as the decline in real prices of the product obtained
Summary
The demographic crisis which occurred as a result of the population exodus towards urban areas with greater economic development (Marsden, 1998) has affected a large number of rural regions in the interior of Spain since 1950 (Paniagua, 2000; Camarero, 2002) The cost to these rural areas has been high, including an aging population, an absence of public services, etc. This is exacerbated by the additional difficulties involved in reversing this situation, due to the lack of any economic activity which might serve to attract new population (Johanson and Rauht, 2002) This situation is significant in mountain areas (García, 2003; Harrison, 1992) where forestry is the primary activity, and which are ineligible for any subsidies under the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) (Mather et al, 2006). The analysis of the relationship between demographic evolution and resin production presented in this paper focuses on the rural areas located in the interior of Spain (Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla-León regions) and on their associated industrial sector, as it offers a good example of similar developments in many other mountain areas in Spain
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