Landscape Analysis of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park (Spain): Cartography of Quality and Fragility

Abstract

The landscape is a resource to be considered in the planning and sustainable management of the territory of natural spaces, such as the Arribes del Duero Natural Park. It is conditioned by environmental factors. They are highly influential on the quality of life of the people who live there. A historical analysis of the landscape was carried out with a qualitative and partially subjective character. In this work, we took advantage of current technologies, such as GIS techniques, to objectively and quantitatively calculate the variables. Firstly, it was necessary to draw up a map of landscape units, which is derived from the union of the abiotic (geomorphology and lithology) and biotic (vegetation) components in the background. Twelve homogeneous landscape units were identified by analyzing the quality and perceptual fragility of each one and considering intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The results obtained showed that the landscape quality presents areas with very high values in the fluvial canyon of the Duero river. The lowest values were found in very degraded and vegetated polygenic areas. On the other hand, the most fragile areas were those with some vulnerable character that prevents the development of human activities, such as areas with steep slopes. The procedure and results obtained constitute a useful tool for public administrations to carry out sustainable management of natural areas.