La ganadería ecológica en la gestión de los espacios naturales protegidos: Andalucía como modelo

Abstract

La mayoría de los espacios naturales protegidos (ENP) ha conservado sus valores ambientales gracias al uso racional que de sus recursos han hecho sus pobladores durante siglos. Uno de los principales usos productivos ha sido la ganadería extensiva, cuyo abandono por pérdida de rentabilidad o por intensificación repercute negativamente sobre la conservación de estos ENP. En este trabajo se estudia el papel de la ganadería extensiva en la conservación de los ENP, utilizando la Comunidad Autónoma de An-dalucía como modelo, con unas 200 000 ha de ganadería ecológica (GE) situadas en ENP los cuales, ocupan el 19,5 % de Andalucía (es la comunidad autónoma española con más territorio protegido) ahi se encuentra más del 30 % de las explotaciones de GE, con una carga ganadera media de 0,22 UGM/ha. Finalmente, se plantea la implantación de la GE como una herramienta de gestión sostenible de los ENP, por ser de carácter voluntario y por facilitar los requerimientos de la administración de los ENP (evitar contaminación, erosión, sobrepastoreo, etc.); además de promover ayudas compensatorias para los agricultores y ganaderos por su labor como conservadores del medio.

A Typological Characterization of Organic Livestock Farms in the Natural Park Sierra de Grazalema Based on Technical and Economic Variables

“…In this context, the southern region of Spain (Andalusia) is the region with the largest protected area (1,784,992 ha), consisting of 27.3% of the protected area in the country [2]. Usually, its protected natural areas (PNA) are located in mountainous areas, which are agriculturally unproductive and traditionally exploited by extensive livestock and various complementary activities that have allowed for the preservation of many habitats [3]. Given the variety of ecosystems and the extension of the PNA in Andalusia, Rodríguez-Estévez et al [4] and Díaz-Gaona et al [3] suggest that these PNA are a sustainable model of management for grasslands and the use of natural resources for the rest of the Spanish territory.…”

“…Usually, its protected natural areas (PNA) are located in mountainous areas, which are agriculturally unproductive and traditionally exploited by extensive livestock and various complementary activities that have allowed for the preservation of many habitats [3]. Given the variety of ecosystems and the extension of the PNA in Andalusia, Rodríguez-Estévez et al [4] and Díaz-Gaona et al [3] suggest that these PNA are a sustainable model of management for grasslands and the use of natural resources for the rest of the Spanish territory. Of the 243 PNA in Andalusia, 24 consist of natural parks (NP), totaling 1,422,468 ha, 16.3% of the region and 50.4% of its protected area [5].…”

“…A large part of these HNV farmlands are also located in areas designated as 'less-favoured' from an economic perspective, with agricultural production restricted because of the characteristic factors of mountain areas (difficult climatic conditions, steep slopes and low soil productivity) [6]. As a consequence, these systems are being abandoned and may disappear due to a lack of profitability, or are being intensified; both negatively affecting PNA conservation [3]. Therefore, the biodiversity that depends on these low farm practices could be lost [6].…”

“…In this context, current concern over environmental issues, climate change, food security, and the abandonment of rural areas (which results in a loss of traditional systems of production) causes the administration (environmental and agrarian authorities) to choose to link the future of PNA to sustainable livestock systems, as is the case with organic farming (OF) [3,[11][12][13][14]. Hence, the continuity of traditional pastoral systems and agroforestry are key to the sustainability of these rural areas [3]. This, coupled with the recognition of the productive, environmental and social aspects of traditional grazing systems by agricultural policies and the marketing of quality products, is a boost for organic farming [3].…”

“…Hence, the continuity of traditional pastoral systems and agroforestry are key to the sustainability of these rural areas [3]. This, coupled with the recognition of the productive, environmental and social aspects of traditional grazing systems by agricultural policies and the marketing of quality products, is a boost for organic farming [3]. Besides, in Europe, the promotion of agroforestry has been shown as a solution for systems of high natural and cultural value [15], and farmers perceive their prominence in agroforestry.…”