Soil investigation using a participative approach for agri-environmental improvement in Monegros, Spain

Abstract

The saline wetlands of the Monegros Desert, in the center of the Ebro Basin (NE Spain), host valuable biodiversity and pedodiversity. A part of this area has been proposed for inclusion in the Natura 2000 E. U. Network. However, agricultural intensification is changing the area as more land is consolidated for new irrigation or is plowed to obtain CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) subsides. Soil mapping is needed to assist in the delimitation of natural habitats and make conservation compatible with agriculture. The methodology presented here to characterize agri-environmental areas takes into account current agricultural and environmental practices. The approach was participative, asking the opinion of farmers and agricultural and environmental officers about a new agrienvironmental measure which could be proposed to the Rural Development section of the CAP The measure would economize agriculture inputs in unproductive areas and also meet nature conservation purposes. A GIS data base was built for selecting the farming plots suitable for new agricultural practices favoring biodiversity and pedodiversity. At the local scale, we used remote sensing and pedodiversity criteria for selecting low productive areas to be prospected. The opinion po!! resulted in a positive response, with a 67% of the managed surface favoring a new CAP measure compatible with nature conservation. The po!! corifirmed the interest of thefarmers in having detailed maps of the soil features that limit crop production.