Livestock odour dispersion and its implications for rural tourism: case study of Valencian Community (Spain)

Abstract

Aim of study: To study the relationship between the problem odours caused by livestock farms and the evolution of rural tourism.Area of study: A coastal region in Spain, the Valencian Community.Material and methods: The odour emission rates of 4,984 farms have been calculated, and the ambient odour concentration was determined to assess the odour nuisance. The odour concentration was modelled by applying the Gaussian model based on emission data and the most unfavourable meteorological conditions of the 45 climatic stations distributed throughout the analysis area. The dispersion model was implemented in a geographic information system, deducing the municipalities affected using the odour concentration thresholds. Furthermore, the evolution of rural tourism in municipalities was studied during the period of 2006-2017. The relationship between the evolution of rural tourism and the effects of odours is studied by means of a bivariate spatial correlation analysis.Main results: Pigs are the predominant species in areas with the greatest odour emission problems; ~ 29% of farms can result in annoyances among the population with odour concentrations greater than 5 OU/m3, and 46% of municipalities can be affected by odour problems. These odour nuisances had negative consequences in the municipality where measures were carried out to favour rural development, such as rural tourism. Municipalities were detected in which the problem of odours can be a deterrent to rural tourism, whereas in other municipalities it was observed that minimizing livestock activity can be a method to promote rural tourism.Research highlights: This study provides a methodology that allows modeling the odour dispersion of livestock and relates its implications to rural tourism. Municipalities have been identified where livestock odours can cause a stagnation of the rural tourism income.