Environmental geology of the santander bay area, northern Spain

Abstract

The Santander Bay area on the north coast of Spain has been selected for a study comparing its environmental geology features with the resource capability, and present land and water use. The environmental geologic map of the Santander Bay area consists of 53 environmental units grouped into six major environmental systems.Systems are process-defined, whereasunits are defined according to active processes, landform, physical properties of the materials, biologic assemblages, and man's influence. In each case the feature considered to be of first-order environmental significance is used to define the unit, but all other features are included in its description. With the information available at present, only qualitative characterization of the units has been possible. Capability or carrying capacity of the environmental units has been evaluated and mapped in relation to 21 types of human activity, derived from different land-use practices. The evaluation is by a matrix. Capability of the units is a consequence of their properties, but no capability judgments are implied in the definition of the units. It is convenient to distinguish between activities which are harmful for the environment if carried out on a certain unit and activities for which certain units might be unsuitable or hazardous to man. Some of the present land-use practices are in conflict with the natural capability of the units. Particularly threatened is the bay-estuarine system, especially the marshes and intertidal areas. From the data presented, information pertinent to land-use planning can be obtained, especially about units which are adequate for waste disposal, units which should be preserved, and units suitable for construction. More precise, quantitative characterization of the environmental units should be undertaken immediately. This would make possible the formulation of land-use planning policies in accordance with the natural capability of the environment. Planning according to capability of the units will allow maximum use of the natural resources of the area with minimum environmental damage.