Analysis of soil capability versus land use change by using CORINE land cover and MicroLeis

Abstract

Land use and land cover changes in agricultural lands between 1956 and 2007 in Seville province (SW Spain) were analyzed in this research. The agricultural land use change was compared to land capability with the aim to analyze dysfunctions related to agricultural capacity of the area. Furthermore, factors affecting agroecological land use in the province were examined in the light of their implications for agroforestry sustainability. There are significant differences in the extent and rate of agricultural land use change at regional level. Present circumstances in the province are favourable for a reversal of agroforestry uses, nevertheless urbanization process is the major pressure in the agricultural re- gions in the province.