On the Link Between Socio-Economic Development and Landscape Changes in Two Pyrenean Valleys: The True Challenge of Multifunctionality

Abstract

Pyrenean regions have undergone deep changes in the past 50 years. These changes have affected their socioeconomic structures, leading to a shift in land management, which is eventually reflected on the landscape. Two opposite processes are found throughout the mountain range: abandonment and intensification. Land abandonment results from a shift in the socioeconomic model that sustained this mountain area for thousands of years. On the other hand, intensification results from tourism-based development. Furthermore, designation of nature protection areas has contributed to this overall change in land uses. In this study we address impacts concerning land use changes and a shift in management strategies, taking into account landscape's multifunctional dimension. We compare two valleys within the Catalan Pyrenees which differ in their socioeconomic context: on one side Vall de Cardós, where tourism has great significance together with nature conservation and, on the other side, Vall Fosca, where primary activities are more relevant and tourism has developed on a smaller scale. Landscape structural changes in the past 50 years (1956-2005) have been quantified through GIS techniques and the use of landscape metrics. Our results show that management strategies influence landscape configuration and land uses at present, which becomes especially relevant from a global change perspective.

Analysis, Systemization of the Impacts of Planning on the Territory: Applied to the Ordesa National Park

“…On the other, the right of society to access these spaces to carry out different activities (social and economic, cultural, recreational, research) and to know and enjoy such valuable resources. The popularization of national parks as a tourist destination, and easier access to them as a result of advances in means of transport and improved infrastructures, have given rise to overcrowding, which prevents the experience from being enjoyable, or even worse, may cause this protected natural environment to deteriorate [36].…”

Sustainable Rural Development Requires Value-Added Activities Linked with Comparative Advantage: The Case of the Catalan Pyrenees

“…6 This activity is complemented with sustainable tourism in the area as well as second homes, small hotels, campsites and the services they generate. It is important to note that in this valley, at an altitude between 800 and 2400 meters, with an area of 180 km 2 and 1,079 inhabitants (in 2008) 7 , depopulation has slowed down and a diversified economy has been generated. Foreign immigrants (from Eastern Europe, Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa), who arrived between 1995 and 2015, currently represent 18% of the population.…”