Restoration of abandoned agricultural lands toward habitats for umbrella species

O Nekhay,M Arriaza

doi:10.5424/sjar/2009072-429

Abstract

This study analyzes the suitability of agricultural lands with risk of abandonment for restoration to suitable habitats for animal species of conservation interest. As a case study, the main focus was on olive plantations (Olea europaea L.) of mountainous areas of Southern Spain and the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus Temminck, 1827). The method weighs the judgement of experts on the effect of landscape elements on the habitat via an analytic hierarchy process and spots areas most suitable for restoration through geographical information systems. The results suggest that the edge of major agricultural areas and areas with natural vegetation adjacent to the Natural Park of Sierra de Cardeña and Montoro would be most suitable for restoration of the lynx habitat. The precise location of olive groves suitable for restoration are discussed, as revealed by experts" decision-making processes. The main interest of the study relies on the potential of the method to combine territorial analysis with biological requirements of endangered species to facilitate their dispersal.

Highlights

EU agricultural and environmental policy has been orientated toward changes in European landscape structure
The approach proposed in this study focuses on one key species or “umbrella species”, the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)
The aim of this paper is to present an original method of approach that combines the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) (Saaty, 1980; Malczewski, 1999) and geographical information system (GIS) technology, to spot suitable agricultural areas for wildlife habitat restoration

Summary

Introduction

EU agricultural and environmental policy has been orientated toward changes in European landscape structure. In some countries this has led to agricultural intensification (Central and Eastern Europe). In other countries it has led to agriculture becoming more extensive (this was intensified after loss of subsidies implemented by the EU Mid Term Review of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP). It led to agriculture being abandoned on low productive uplands (Mühlenberg and Slowik, 1997; Wolters, 1999). This latter process is important in Mediterranean upland olive (Olea europaea L.)-growing systems. The impact, of the process on the visual quality of the landscape is not clear (Höchtl et al, 2005)

Objectives

Methods

Results