Spanish Mediterranean Area Research Articles

Consumption of seafood and its estimated heavy metals are associated with lipid profile and oxidative lipid damage on healthy adults from a Spanish Mediterranean area: A cross-sectional study

The association between the consumption of seafood and its benefits on cardiovascular (CVD) risk can be challenged by its heavy metal (HM) content. This study aimed to explore the association of seafood consumption and its estimated HM contents with the lipid profile and lipid oxidation biomarkers in adults from a Spanish Mediterranean area who do not present risk factors for CVD.In this cross-sectional study, the clinical history, three-day dietary record, lipid profile (LDLc, HDLc, APOB/A, and triglyceride levels), plasma oxidised LDL (oxLDL) and 8-isoprostane levels of 81 adults without risk factors for CVD [43% men, with a mean age of 43.6 years (95%CI: 40.1–47.1)] were assessed. The HM [arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb)] contents of seafood were estimated according to data from analyses of marine species in the same Mediterranean area. Moderate adherence to the Mediterranean diet (score: 4.6 of 9) with a mean seafood consumption of 74.9g/day (95%CI: 59.9–89.9), including 22.7g of shellfish per day (95%CI: 13.5–31.9), was observed. The estimated HM contents were lower than the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs): 21.12µg/kg/week As, 0.57µg/kg/week InAs, 0.15µg/kg/week Cd, 1.11µg/kg/week Hg and 0.28µg/kg/week Pb.After adjusting by confounder variables, an increase in shellfish consumption was associated with increases in the levels of LDLc (P=0.013), non-HDLc (P=0.015), APOB/A (P=0.02) and plasma oxLDL (P=0.002). Moreover, an increase in the estimated As and Hg levels in shellfish was associated with an increase in LDLc (P=0.015 and P=0.018, respectively), non-HDLc (P<0.008 and P<0.008, respectively), APOB/A ratio (P=0.008 and P=0.009, respectively), and oxLDL (P≤0.001 and P≤0.001, respectively) levels.In conclusion, in adults without risk factors for CVD, increasing shellfish consumption, even by a moderate amount, could favour a pro-atherogenic lipid profile and a higher level of oxidised LDL. These associations are likely influenced by the estimated exposure to As and Hg from shellfish despite these values are lower than the PTWIs.

Predicting River Macroinvertebrate Communities Distributional Shifts under Future Global Change Scenarios in the Spanish Mediterranean Area

Several studies on global change over the next century predict increases in mean air temperatures of between 1°C to 5°C that would affect not only water temperature but also river flow. Climate is the predominant environmental driver of thermal and flow regimes of freshwater ecosystems, determining survival, growth, metabolism, phenology and behaviour as well as biotic interactions of aquatic fauna. Thus, these changes would also have consequences for species phenology, their distribution range, and the composition and dynamics of communities. These effects are expected to be especially severe in the Mediterranean basin due its particular climate conditions, seriously threatening Southern European ecosystems. In addition, species with restricted distributions and narrow ecological requirements, such as those living in the headwaters of rivers, will be severely affected. The study area corresponds to the Spanish Mediterranean and Balearic Islands, delimited by the Köppen climate boundary. With the application of the MEDPACS (MEDiterranean Prediction And Classification System) predictive approach, the macroinvertebrate community was predicted for current conditions and compared with three posible scenarios of watertemperature increase and its associated water flow reductions. The results indicate that the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities will undergo a drastic impact, with reductions in taxa richness for each scenario in relation to simulated current conditions, accompanied by changes in the taxa distribution pattern. Accordingly, the distribution area of most of the taxa (65.96%) inhabiting the mid-high elevations would contract and rise in altitude. Thus, families containing a great number of generalist species will move upstream to colonize new zones with lower water temperatures. By contrast, more vulnerable taxa will undergo reductions in their distribution area.

Orchard and horticulture systems in Spanish Mediterranean coastal areas: Is there a real possibility to contribute to C sequestration?

Agriculture in the Mediterranean basin is currently contributing to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and in the future is expected to be strongly affected by climate change. Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) via soil organic matter (SOM) improvement is widely regarded as a way to both mitigate and adapt to climate change. Using as a case study the Mediterranean coastal area in Spain, which is regarded as one of the most intensively managed areas in Europe for orchards and horticultural cropping, we analyzed the potential for climate change mitigation of introducing different practices that are expected to increase SOC. We selected both as a single measure and in combination, cover cropping and application to the soil of the available underutilized exogenous organic matter (EOM), treated (e.g. composted or digested) or non-treated. These practices were compared against a baseline scenario that intended to reflect the current practices in the area (e.g. all livestock manure produced in the area is applied to the agricultural soil). We carried out a modelling exercise at the regional scale using the agricultural activity data and current climatic conditions as inputs. Modelling runs were performed coupling a widely used dynamic model of SOC turnover (RothC) with a model to simulate the GHG emissions from EOM processing or storage prior to soil application (SIMSWASTE).Results indicate that the most promising practice, considered as a single measure and with respect to the baseline, was introducing cover crops in woody cropping systems. This practice resulted in an increase of 0.44MgCha−1 yr−1 during the first 20 years (range 0.41–0.52MgCha−1 yr−1) and led to a total SOC accumulation of about 30TgC after 100 years. Amendment of all agricultural land with available underutilized EOM resulted in an increase of up to 0.09MgCha−1 yr−1 (range 0.07–0.16MgCha−1 yr−1) as a single measure (urban waste) and 0.13MgCha−1 yr−1 (range 0.11–0.21MgCha−1 yr−1) as a combined measure (urban waste and composted agroindustry by-products), leading to a total SOC accumulation of about 7TgC (urban waste) and 10Tg C (urban waste and composted agroindustry by-products) after 100 years. Manure anaerobic digestion or composting as a single measure did not result in significant SOC changes but, if GHG emissions and savings from manure storage and processing management stages are considered, they could help to reduce about 4.3 (anaerobic digestion) or 1.1Tg CO2eq yr−1 (composting) in the study area, which represents a significant amount compared with total agricultural emissions in Spain.

Heavy rain analysis based on GNSS water vapour content in the Spanish Mediterranean area

For improved water resource management and forecasting of risks associated with hydrological processes, it is fundamental to improve the knowledge of rainfall as a natural process. Atmospheric water vapour content is one of the key variables in precipitation. The distribution and evolution of atmospheric water vapour is critical for the functioning of hydrological processes, being one of the essential climate variables as defined in the Global Climate Observing System. Improving understanding of atmospheric water vapour content and distribution is essential for climate change studies because water vapour is the main greenhouse gas, contributing around 70% of global temperature rise (Solomon et al., 2007). Water vapour is also a major component in controlling atmospheric stability, because it is involved actively in the evolution and propagation of convective storm systems. Until recently, atmospheric water vapour could not be observed particularly well due to the absence of instruments capable of measuring it at high-resolution temporal and spatial scales. However, in recent years the increase in the number of permanent GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) reference stations worldwide has led to a major breakthrough in the monitoring of atmospheric integrated water vapour (IWV), with almost 2000 sites in Europe alone contributing near real-time atmospheric delay estimates. The present study focuses on the relationship between variations in IWV observed using delays in GNSS signals with meteorological variables such as atmospheric pressure and precipitation, in a long-term study for the period 2000–2012 in the area of Valencia, Spain. Fluctuations in IWV fields correlate well with approaching frontal rainfall, and a combined rise in IWV and fall in atmospheric pressure act together as a precursor to heavy precipitation.

Costs of providing local public services and compact population in Spanish urbanised areas

This paper addresses the impact of land use patterns associated with compact population on the costs of provision and maintenance of urban public services for local entities, controlling for other factors. The aim is to develop an econometric analysis using a panel data set of municipalities of the Spanish Mediterranean area and Madrid in the period 2006–2014. The estimations derived from the study confirm one main hypothesis and indicate that compact population impacts positively on the decrease of municipal costs of urban public services. This study suggests that municipal planning instruments of local entities could contribute to efficiently manage their budgets, as well as orients public policy in terms of its local land use decision-making.

Monitoring water vapour with GNSS during a heavy rainfall event in the Spanish Mediterranean area

ABSTRACTThe Spanish Mediterranean area is periodically affected by torrential rainfall events during autumn. In September 2012, one of these episodes took place with up to 50 mm of rain in a 1-hour period and with more than 300 mm in 12 hours. This study shows the spatial and temporal variability of the atmospheric integrated water vapour (IWV) observed using delays in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals and associated rainfall during this severe weather event. This experiment focuses on the relationship between the variations of IWV values in GNSS stations and meteorological variables such as atmospheric pressure and precipitation. This study was carried out on the Mediterranean coast of Spain during a heavy rainfall episode. The results show a mean increase in IWV of around 30 kg/m2 occurring prior to heavy precipitation. They further revealed an increase of up to a 100% in IWV values in several GNSS stations available in the study area. Fluctuations in IWV fields correlate well with approaching frontal rainfall and a combined rise in IWV and a drop in atmospheric pressure may well be used as a pre-cursor to heavy precipitation.

Climatological characteristics and synoptic patterns of snowfall episodes in the central Spanish Mediterranean area

ABSTRACTThe long‐term temporal and spatial characteristics of snowfalls over the Comunidad Valenciana (Provinces of Castellón, Valencia and Alicante) (central Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula) were analysed using a 30‐year period (1981–2010). The average number of snowy days per year was 38.7, and annual variability was pronounced. Annual distribution peaked in January (on average, 8.9 snowy days). By contrast, snow was absent in the summertime. Snow was seen even at sea level in most of the months with snowfall. Orography was seen to be a key factor in the spatial distributions of snowy days (covering the ground surface or not) and in the return periods. Snowfall increased with altitude, but not linearly. Finally, five synoptic patterns were found to be associated with heavy snowfall episodes in the domain studied. In each group, a low (often a cut‐off low) in mid‐levels was identified over Spain or surrounding areas. In most cases (79%), an easterly flow was present at low levels and the arrival of cloud bands from the west was detected in a few cases (21%). The former is more frequent because the air mass becomes unstable during its passage over the sea and can produce heavy snowfalls.

Optimization of sampling effort in carnivore surveys based on signs: A regional-scale study in a Mediterranean area

Understanding species distribution is central to ecology, evolution and wildlife conservation. However, detecting species presence in the field may be challenging, especially for scarce, elusive and wide-ranging animals such as mammalian carnivores. Here we undertook a large-scale methodological study to assess scat sampling effort required to detect five mesocarnivore species in a Spanish Mediterranean area. Our goals were to: (1) evaluate the optimal effort (i.e. transect length) needed to detect scats of each species; and (2) examine if this sampling effort depends on environmental factors. First, we constructed “curves of first detection” for each carnivore species and evaluated the most cost-effective sampling effort. Second, we used Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) to relate the transect length to first detection of each species in each positive transect to a comprehensive set of environmental variables. Our results suggested that sampling effort in this study, namely the transect length needed to detect a given species, can be substantially shortened for two species (red fox and stone marten) with a relatively low reduction in the information on their presence. The most efficient scenario corresponded to a transect length of 1.5km, where red foxes and stone martens would be detected in 72.95 and 65.43% of the positive transects, respectively. However, different sampling approaches would be advisable for the remaining species. We also found that the sampling effort was weakly affected by environmental constraints. Our study may contribute to the design of more efficient scat-based carnivore sampling methodologies elsewhere. In particular, we propose that our results can be successfully extrapolated to other areas of the Iberian Peninsula with close abundances of the species considered and similar environmental characteristics.

A new methodology to assess the maximum irrigation rates at catchment scale using geostatistics and GIS

Soil hydraulic parameters are important for irrigation scheduling. In the domain of “precision irrigation”, knowledge of the spatial distribution of these parameters is useful in determining the maximum irrigation rate for each field in a catchment. This study focuses on the development of a new methodology to assess the spatial distribution of the maximum irrigation rate depending on the available soil water holding capacity (ASWHC). This methodology combines geostatistical techniques with geographical information system (GIS) tools. A pilot zone of 12 400 ha in a Spanish Mediterranean area was selected to develop this methodology. The linear coregionalization model (LMCR), considering the percentage of sand, carbonates, and ASWHC at others soil depths as covariates, was the best option to model the ASWHC. Other required soil parameters were also spatially modeled. The percent of coarse fragments was modeled by regression kriging considering the soil map as an auxiliary variable. The bulk density was spatially modeled by LMCR, and extended to the rooting depth by linear regression. The spatial distributions modeled were implemented in a GIS with other spatial information layers of irrigation management parameters, such as the maximum allowable depletion of soil water content, the percent of wetted soil and the irrigation depth. The combination of these layers in the GIS was used to estimate the maximum irrigation rates for each field. A propagation error analysis was performed to know the uncertainties in the maximum irrigation rate estimation. Based on this information, the irrigation managers could optimize the irrigation rates for each field.

Índices aterogénicos en trabajadores de diferentes sectores laborales del área mediterránea española

IntroductionAtherogenic indices predict cardiovascular disease, as they provide a good reflection of the clinical and metabolic interactions of lipid fractions. Material and methodA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 60,798 workers in the Spanish Mediterranean area on whom different atherogenic indices (cholesterol/HDL, LDL/HDL, triglycerides/HDL) were determined, and the influence they have in the different productive work sectors. ResultsIn women, the mean values of the different atherogenic indices are better in the health sector, while they are better in men in the primary sector. The percentage of working women with low values is also greater in the healthcare sector, while in men there is no clear predominant sector, with the best values being shown in the hospitality and primary sector. ConclusionThe distribution of cardiovascular risk factors and the values of the different atherogenic indices analyzed vary in different industrial sectors.

Circulation‐type classification derived on a climatic basis to study air quality dynamics over the Iberian Peninsula

ABSTRACTA circulation‐type classification is derived for the 1983–2012 climatic period to characterize air quality dynamics over the Iberian Peninsula (IP). Sensitivity tests to automatic classification techniques and other factors affecting the classification (number of patterns, temporal and spatial resolution, domain size, etc.) are performed to objectivize the set‐up that maximizes its quality. The ERA‐Interim reanalysis and the cost733class classification software are used. The identified circulation types (CTs) are described in terms of frequency, persistence, transitions, and location of isobaric systems. The temporal stability of the classification is evaluated following a cross‐validation process that compares the results of the climatic and yearly classifications, leading to the identification of a representative year. Moreover, a representative day for each CT is identified using an objective score that minimizes the absolute value difference of the daily grid with respect to the average CT grid. The reference set‐up uses a cluster‐based technique (Ck‐means) on a daily mean sea‐level pressure database. Six CTs are identified, which are consistent with synoptic patterns found in the literature. Furthermore, the CTs of the climatic period are temporally stable showing similar characteristics in terms of frequency and location of high‐ and low‐pressure systems as those of the representative year (2012). As a first application of the CT classification, 1 h‐maximum NO2 concentration maps from the CALIOPE Air Quality Forecasting System is analysed for the representative days. Synoptic circulation controls the origin and strength of advection explaining transport and NO2 background concentration over the IP. However, there is a strong spatial heterogeneity: in central, northern, and southern IP; NO2 concentrations are controlled by the synoptic circulation, whereas in Spanish Mediterranean coastal areas, a combination of synoptic and mesoscale dynamics explains the NO2 concentration patterns.

Dispersion of Aedes albopictus in the Spanish Mediterranean Area

Emergence and re-emergence of arboviral disease in new areas of southern Europe is becoming a public health problem. Since Aedes albopictus was first detected in 2004 in Catalonia, it has spread along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Results of an entomological surveillance carried out by the Spanish Ministry of Health to monitor the expansion of Ae. albopictus along the Spanish Mediterranean coast between 2009 and 2012 are presented. Besides the new locations in Valencia and Murcia regional communities, it was identified in five municipalities in the Balearic Islands in 2012. A comprehensive plan aiming the control of invasive vector-borne diseases including entomological surveillance should be considered.

Regimes of intense precipitation in the Spanish Mediterranean area

In the present study severe rainfall (≥100mm in 24h) in the southern Mediterranean area of the Iberian Peninsula (Spanish provinces of Malaga, Granada, and Almeria) is analyzed. The spatial pattern of heavy rainfall was characterized using cluster analysis with data pertaining to 5years (2006–2010). The areas most affected by heavy rainfall were the western and coastal areas of the province of Malaga, the border area between the provinces of Malaga and Granada, and the eastern part of the province of Almeria (5 clusters). The average synoptic patterns associated with each cluster were also obtained. A low in the western or southwestern Iberian Peninsula and southerly/southwesterly moist flow at low levels were the most frequent patterns. Two episodes of heavy rainfall that occurred during the autumn of 2012 were also studied, revealing the importance of deep convection.

Two Mediterranean irrigation communities in front of water scarcity: A comparison using satellite image time series

Although a number of studies have analysed the methods to monitor crop water needs, the integration of phenological dynamics and irrigation using water stored in reservoirs has received little attention. This study is an example of such analysis applied to two irrigation communities (IC) located in a Spanish Mediterranean area, one with less water resources than the other, which it was carried out between 2002 and 2008. These years comprised periods of water surplus and water scarcity including the 2007–2008 drought considered by the Catalan public water authority the worst since 1944. The dynamics of maize, alfalfa, fruit trees and poplars were analysed using greenness and wetness extracted from remote sensing data. A statistical analysis was applied in order to find out the relationship between crop wetness and stored water. Results show that the IC used two methods for water-saving: crop substitution, by decreasing the area of maize, and timing the crop cycle, delaying or advancing sowing depending on water availability. In conclusion although one IC is drier in rainfall terms than the other, a similar crop wetness status was detected and no difference was observed between periods of water scarcity and water surplus.

Prevalence, determinants, and inappropriateness of calcium supplementation among men and women in a Spanish Mediterranean area: Cross-sectional data from the ESOSVAL cohort

Recently, safety concerns about calcium supplementation have arisen. In this situation, ensuring appropriateness of use is highly important. We aimed to describe the use of calcium and vitamin D supplements, the factors related to it, and to assess the appropriateness of calcium prescription among men and women aged 50 years or older. We performed a cross-sectional study in 2009-2010 including 11,035 adults who belong to the ESOSVAL cohort and attend 272 primary healthcare centers in the Valencia region of Spain. Criteria for the inappropriateness of calcium prescription, based on guidelines and recent evidence, were: excessive or insufficient daily total intake (diet plus supplements), excessive single doses of supplements, excessive or insufficient association with vitamin D, and overall inappropriateness. Calcium and/or vitamin D were prescribed to about 17% of the population. Older age, antiosteoporotic treatment, use of glucocorticoids, and a diagnosis of osteoporosis were related to prescription. The presence of other secondary causes of osteoporosis determined supplementation only in men. Calcium dietary intake was not related to the prescription of supplements. Among calcium users, 85.8% met at least one criterion of inappropriate prescription; 29% had an inappropriate daily total intake mainly resulting from excessive consumption (>2000 mg/day); 53.8% of patients were given calcium supplements in quantities higher than 500 mg per dose; and 38.9% of individuals receiving calcium supplements had inappropriate (absent or below 800 UI/day) vitamin D supplementation (all of them at high risk). In conclusion, we found high inappropriateness of calcium supplementation, mainly because of calcium overdosing, and also to undertreatment and underdosing of vitamin D in high-risk patients. Physicians should be encouraged to assess calcium dietary intakes before supplementation, recommending intake from food whenever possible, and to prescribe low calcium doses and high vitamin D doses when given in fixed-dose combinations, or vitamin D alone when calcium is not necessary.

Dietary intake in pregnant women in a Spanish Mediterranean area. As good as it is supposed to be? – ERRATUM

Dietary intake in pregnant women in a Spanish Mediterranean area. As good as it is supposed to be? – ERRATUM

An approach to costs and energy consumption in private urban Spanish Mediterranean landscapes from a simplified model in sprinkle irrigation

The number of private gardens has increased in recent years, creating a more pleasant urban model, but not without having an environmental impact, including increased energy consumption, which is the focus of this study. The estimation of costs and energy consumption for the generic typology of private urban gardens is based on two simplifying assumptions: square geometry with surface areas from 25 to 500 m2 and hydraulic design with a single pipe. In total, eight sprinkler models have been considered, along with their possible working pressures, and 31 pumping units grouped into 5 series that adequately cover the range of required flow rates and pressures, resulting in 495 hydraulic designs repeated for two climatically different locations in the Spanish Mediterranean area (Girona and Elche). Mean total irrigation costs for the locality with lower water needs (Girona) and greater needs (Elche) were € 2,974 ha-1 yr-1 and € 3,383 ha-1 yr-1, respectively. Energy costs accounted for 11.4% of the total cost for the first location, and 23.0% for the second. While a suitable choice of the hydraulic elements of the setup is essential, as it may provide average energy savings of 77%, due to the low energy cost in relation to the cost of installation, the potential energy savings do not constitute a significant incentive for the irrigation system design. The low efficiency of the pumping units used in this type of garden is the biggest obstacle and constraint to achieving a high quality energy solution.

Dietary intake in pregnant women in a Spanish Mediterranean area: as good as it is supposed to be?

To assess food and nutrient intakes and compliance with nutritional recommendations in pregnant women according to selected sociodemographic characteristics. Cross-sectional study based on data from the INMA-Valencia cohort (Spain), which recruited pregnant women between 2004 and 2005. Information on maternal sociodemographics and anthropometry was collected. Dietary intake was assessed through an FFQ. Intakes of foods were compared with Spanish food-based dietary guidelines. Intake inadequacy for nutrients was assessed using the Dietary Reference Intakes of the US Institute of Medicine. Valencia, Spain. We studied 822 pregnant women who had information on dietary intake during their first trimester of pregnancy. More than 50% of pregnant women did not meet the guidelines for cereals and legumes; reported intakes of carbohydrates, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids were below recommendations and exceeded the total fat intake according to dietary references. Dietary inadequacy for folate, Fe and vitamin E ranged from 99% to 68%. Vegetable intake was related to age only. Younger and less educated women showed lower intakes of protein and n-3 fatty acids and higher intakes of trans-fatty acids as well as greater inadequacy for micronutrients. Spanish women reported lower intakes of fruit and carbohydrates and higher intakes of protein, total fat, SFA, MUFA and n-3 fatty acids compared with their foreign-born counterparts. Women in the studied area have inadequate intakes of several nutrients relevant during pregnancy. Age, education and country of origin are factors significantly related to dietary intake and adequacy.

Multi-class determination of personal care products and pharmaceuticals in environmental and wastewater samples by ultra-high performance liquid-chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In this work, a multi-class method for the simultaneous determination of 17 emerging contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products, has been developed. Target analytes were two anti-inflammatories, a lipid regulator agent, two angiotensin II antagonists, two antiepileptic drugs and a diuretic. Among personal care products, four preservatives and five UV filters were included. The method is based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis HLB cartridges followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). Up to three simultaneous transitions per compound were acquired to assure a reliable identification. A detailed study of the extraction process efficiency and matrix effects was carried out in surface water and effluent wastewater. The use of isotope-labeled internal standards (ILIS) was tested to compensate both potential SPE losses during sample extraction and signal suppression/enhancement observed, especially in EWW. Satisfactory correction in all water samples was only ensured when the own analyte ILIS was used. The use of analogues ILIS was a rather useful approach for correction in the majority of the samples tested when analyte ILIS was unavailable. The method was successfully validated in five different surface water (SW) samples and five effluent wastewater (EWW) samples spiked at two concentration levels (0.05 and 0.5μg/L in SW; 0.1 and 0.5μg/L in EWW). The developed method was applied to the analysis of 22 samples (SW and EWW) from the Spanish Mediterranean area and 51 reservoir water samples from Colombia. Personal care products were frequently detected, with the highest concentrations corresponding to benzophenone and benzophenone-4 (samples from Spain), and methylparaben (samples from Colombia). Several pharmaceuticals were detected in the Spanish samples, where irbesartan and valsartan – two Angiotensin II antagonists that are not commonly monitored in the aquatic environment – were the compounds most frequently detected.

Modelling farmland abandonment: A study combining GIS and data mining techniques

This paper studies the driving factors in the process of farmland abandonment. The text is organised in three sections: (i) the concept of abandonment is reviewed by identifying the most important drivers in the scientific literature; (ii) a case study in a Spanish Mediterranean area is presented; and (iii) a new approach is proposed that combines geographical information systems (GIS) and knowledge discovery in databases (KDD) to define the most important variables for studying the abandonment process in this area. The variables considered in this study can be grouped into environmental, socio-economic, and those related to farming practices. Bearing in mind the potentially large number of variables, a few questions had to be answered at the outset: (1) which of the variables are really driving factors in the abandonment process of farming plots?; (2) how important is each of these variables by itself and in combination with others?; and (3) is it possible to consider all variables in the same analysis? We demonstrate the capability of data mining techniques to select the most important features for creating useful scenarios. Finally, two experiments demonstrate that the applied KDD method can be useful for selecting the best variable combinations in studies on farmland abandonment.