-- Canyoles River Basin SES

General description of Canyoles River Basin SES

2012-09-07T06:30:32+00:00

Authors:	Artemio Cerda, Félix González Peñaloza
Editors:	Alexandros Kandelapas, Vassilis Koutsoukos, Jane Brandt

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 11Feb13: Source D131-4.3{/xtypo_alert}

Location

The Canyoles river watershed extends over an area of 62,826 ha in the south of the region of Valencia. Twenty-four municipalities or parts of municipalities are included in the Canyoles rivers basin.

Climate

Canyoles watershed exhibits a dry Mediterranean climate, with dry, hot summers and warm winters. Although rainfall is scarce, extremely high rainfall intensities (daily values exceeding 200 mm) are frequent. Mean annual evapotranspiration exceeds 1000 mm year-¹, resulting in extremely dry conditions for the summer season.

{tip
Municipalities of Canyoles River Basin. Source: Authors González Peñalosa and
Cerdá 2011}{/tip}

{tip
Geological map of Canyoles river basin. Source: Instituto Geológico
y Minero de España}{/tip}

Topography, soils and hydrology

The Canyoles river watershed is characterized by a north and south range that contribute to a long W-E valley flowing form inland Iberian Peninsula to the Mediterranean Sea.

Geography favours the water outlet to the Mediterranean Sea and the genesis of river basins. The Iberian System, to the north of the Canyoles watershed, plays an important role on the water resources cycle in the Júcar river basin.

Parent materials are mainly Limestones, Marls, Keuper clays. Karst type landscapes predominate.

Above 50% of Canyoles watershed has an elevation range between 400–800 m. Areas with altitude classes less than 400m cover about 25% and are located in foodplain. Less than 0.07% are covered with altitudes above 1000m.

The prevalent aspect in Canyoles river basin is Southeast (about 18%) followed by Flat, North, South and Northwest (about 12%).

Canyoles river basin has a mainly landform mainly rolling (about 30%), followed by slopes between 5 and 8% and slopes between 15 and 30%.

Almost, the entire Canyoles watershed has a Calcic cambisol soil type (96.27%), followed by Eutric fluvisol (3.73%). Soils in agricultural land are deep and continuous, with fewer rocks. Carbonated materials and small insertions of detrital material from the Lower Cretaceous, predominate. Jurassic materials appear at the bottom of the valley as alluvial and colluvial depositions. Cenozoic materials are mainly detritical. The study area is geomorphologically represented by a tabular relief of limestones and dolomites, broken by deep depressions, where colluvial and alluvials materials have been deposited in Triassic period.

{tip
Altitude classes distribution of the Canyoles watershed}{/tip}

{tip
Water bodies and lakes in Júcar River Basin}{/tip}

Canyoles, the main river of Canyoles watershed, exhibits an irregular flow regime with large fluctuations between wet periods and a dry and warm condition. Surface water resources are regulated through large dams.

Ecosystems and land use

{tip
Land Uses of Canyoles watershed in 2006}{/tip}

Forests and semi natural areas cover less than 60% of Canyoles valley. This group is composed by sclerophyllous vegetation (25.71% of the valley), transitional woodland – shrub (17.25%), complex cultivation patterns (15.45%) and coniferous forest (12.80%).

Agricultural areas in the valley cover above 42% its total surface. This group is includes complex cultivation patterns (15.45%), fruit trees and berry plantations (8.32%), vineyards (2.89%) and olive groves (2.27%). Between 1986 and 2006, conversion to agricultural land has been dramatic, facilitated by technical improvements in irrigation systems replacing the traditional flooding irrigation.

Changes in landscape have also been dramatic.

Population and employment

Population in the Canyoles river watershed, is concentrated in the cities of Ontinyent, Xàtiva, Almansa and Canals and is generally increasing. Smaller municipalities and settlements have lost population. Immigration, particularly from Rumania and Bulgaria, contributes to this increase. Labor force has also been rising since 1976, due to the increase in population, agricultural workers’ immigration and women’s entry into the labour market. Canyoles River Basin population is old and aging. Population structure is characterised by low birth rates, partly offset by the arrival of young immigrants.

{tip
Density population in Canyoles river basin. Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística}{/tip}

{tip
Physical infrastructure of study area}{/tip}

Employment in the Canyoles Watershed is concentrated in the tertiary (50%) and construction sectors (30%). Agriculture employs less than 5% of the labor force. The employment ratio was improving between 1999 to 2007, but has dropped since. Unemployment is prevalent and intense.

Ownership is the main form of land tenure (86.13%). Utilized Agricultural Area is lower than 5 hectares (per farmer) (88.69%).

Physical and other infrastructure as well as schools are concentrated at the lower part of the valley and the coastal area of the Jucar River Basin.

Particular LEDD issues in Canyoles River Basin

The LEDD issues found at the study area are:

soil erosion as a consequence of agriculture;
soil compaction due to herbicide and heavy machinery working on fields;
soil sealing due to land use changes;
soil and water pollution due to chemical agriculture;
reduction of agricultural biodiversity due to herbicides and removal of traditional irrigation systems.

Also, major issues are:

partial urbanization of the rural areas due to the house and the small agriculture storage building;
monoculture of citrus plantations in the lower part of the watershed;
urban growth;
road and railway growth;
aquifer depletion, which result in the loss of springs and traditional agriculture;
industrial development abandonment;
depletion of farmers knowledge to produce food based on natural and local resources and;
land abandonment and fires in the nearby mountainous terrain are issues in the study area.

Evolution of the Canyoles River Basin SES

2012-09-07T06:30:06+00:00

Authors:	Artemio Cerdà, Félix González-Peñaloza
Coordinating authors:	Constantinos Kosmas, Giovanni Quaranta
Editors:	Alexandros Kandelapas, Jane Brandt

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 20Mar14: Source D132-10.1.{/xtypo_alert}

Two major state or transitions of the Canyoles Watershed SES have been identified:

Traditional crops (1950 to 1985)

The period between 1950 and 1985 is characterized by the intensive production of the traditional Mediterranean crops (olive, cereals and vineyards) along with the expansion of citrus orchards. Although agriculture in the area had been intensive and export-led since the 19th century, during the period it intensifies as irrigated citrus orchards begin to be established. Population declines during the 1950s and 1960s, due to migration towards cities and the coast, but thereafter stabilizes and increases mainly in the area's main city Xàtiva, which attracts 83.6% of all economic activity in the area.

Implementation of CAP and extension of citrus orchards (1985 to date)

1985 to date characterized by the implementation of the CAP and the extension of the Citrus orchards. The period is dominated by the spectacular transformation of the northeastern lowlands by the expansion of irrigated fruits (especially citrus) orchards, at the expense of olive tress and other crops. Depletion and pollution of surface and groundwater, soil sealing and soil erosion also intensifies.

More details ... each period is fully described in the following articles

Traditional crops (1950 to 1985)
Implementation of CAP and extension of citrus orchards (1985 to date)

Traditional crops (1950 to 1985)

2012-09-07T06:59:01+00:00

Authors:	Artemio Cerdà, Félix González-Peñaloza
Coordinating authors:	Constantinos Kosmas, Giovanni Quaranta
Editors:	Alexandros Kandelapas, Jane Brandt

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 20Mar14: Source D132-10.2.1{/xtypo_alert}

Assessment of natural, economic and social capitals

Natural capital
Assessment	Most of area is characterized by a low soil capital index (more than 38 % of territory), closely followed by moderate capital (28.28%). Both types of soil capital are mainly located in the valley slopes. Soils of high and very high capital values (30 and 2%, respectively) are found at the bottom of the valley. The spatial distribution of the climate capital index (CCI) shows that practically the whole watershed is characterized by low climate capital (87 %), except the northern part of the valley (13 %), which is high. The water resources are distributed for irrigation by a network of canals, wells and watermills that cover all the floodplain area, but the quality of water resources during the period is unknown. Historically, the dominant type of natural vegetation in the watershed includes Pinus sp woodlands, shrubs and pastures. Agrarian surfaces, on the other hand, increase significantly from the mid-20th century as fruit tree orchards expand and unproductive areas and traditional Mediterranean cultivations shrink (e.g. olive groves, cereals and vineyards). However, the increase of crops and the absence of environmental planning cause the loss of several environmental values because the major part of the area is prone to erosion by wind and runoff due to the lack vegetation cover. Most of the vegetation capital has moderate to low index values, 45 and 40 % respectively. The low values cover all the agriculture areas (citrus (5 %), olive groves (9 %), fruits (1%) and arable lands (17 %)) both in the floodplain and southern part of the study site.
Critical functions	The regulation of hydrological processes has been determined using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. The floodplain, around 60% of the area, is characterized by very high hydrological process (classified as Null classes of potential erosion). High and very high values of soil loss erosion are found in both valley sides, especially in areas covered by pasture and shrubs and cover 4% of the area. Significant Pearson correlation (r) between soil loss erosion by hydrological processes and topography (LS factor) as land use is found. Slope LS factor is better correlated with soil erosion (r=0.7; p=0.05) than by land use (r=0.4; p=0.05).
Critical variables	-

Economic capital
Assessment	The economy of the study area follows the same trend as the whole region of Valencia. In addition, the Cànyoles watershed is under economic influence of the municipality of Xàtiva based (bus network, commercial activities, education services, healthcare and establishment numbers). Until 1960s the economic activity is developed in the mountain areas (foods, raw materials, fuel (charcoal and firewoods). In 1950, half the labour force in Xàtiva municipality is employed in agriculture by 1991 this reduces to 10%. Mechanisation of agricultural activities contribute to the migration of the rural population mainly to the coastland and an increase in part-time work. Husbandry is almost completely abandoned before 1970. In contrast, industrial activity in Xàtiva employs around 50% of the total population.
Critical functions	Crop production is estimated using statistical data provided by regional databases and by surveys and interviews with farmers. Olive grove production has never been enough to supply domestic consumption. The mean estimated relative production of a rainfed olive grove is around 0.80 kg ha-¹yr-¹. Vineyards, located mainly in the middle-southern study site, produce 3,500 kg ha-¹. Cereals fields, located in flats areas on soils with moderate to deep depth, showing a relatively low production of 2,000 kg ha-¹yr-¹. Citrus orchard producing between 12,000 and 18,000 kg ha-¹.
Critical variables	-

Social capital
Assessment	The main concentration of the population is around the municipality of Xàtiva as the village itself is located on the only natural path between the Peninsula massif and the coastland (Valencia City). In addition, a deep and rich soil, formed from river nutrient inputs, enables rich farming, enhanced by a warm climate. This climate, together with adequate input from the farmers, allows the cultivation of highly profitable crops such as the citrus orchards. The population is concentrated around the most profitable crops, industrial areas (e.g. vehicle dealers, pharmaceutical products) and the main educational and medical centers. Population dynamics are typical of the Mediterranean mountain areas, with steady abandonment of the countryside for the first 60 years of the 20th century but, unlike others areas of Spain, the areas are not totally abandoned because of the proximity of both the coast and Valencia, one of the major cities of the Spain. This fact favours the development of industrial activities that keep the population in rural areas. {tip Number of inhabitants by municipalities before and after implementation of CAP in 1985}{/tip}
Critical functions	-
Critical variables	Slow critical variables during the period include land policies, land use change and soil depth reduction. All three were influenced by pre-democratic laws about land management with often brutal effects on the environmental because of the encouragement of irrigated crops, and - therefore - the exploitation of the continental waters and use of agriculture machinery. In the study site, small size plots (over 80% of the plots have less than 5 hectares), developed much more intensive management, replacing traditional rain-fed cultivation, as Citrus orchards, due to the demand of foreigners markets. The fastest variable during this period was social, namely depopulation.

Main LEDD problems and responses

Despite of the extension of citrus, which is associated with lack of vegetation cover for the most part of the year, soil erosion rates are relatively low because new orchards are in flat areas such as the floodplain of the Canyoles River. Nevertheless, requirements for irrigation and fertilizer increase. Intensification is often more pronounced in small farms (90% of farms are under 5 hectares).

Decline in agricultural income leads to the reduction of the number of farmers as they seek employment in the factories surrounding Xàtiva or other urban and industrial areas, mainly along the coastline. Despite the richness of the crops, the economy primarily comes from industrial activity. Depopulation of mid-mountain agriculture from the mid-20th century areas causes land abandonment and a progressive recovering of the natural vegetation. As a result of the study site experiences overall moderate erosion (29%).

Rainfed crops are replaced by irrigated lands in the flat areas but equally important is the transformation of the mountainsides by terraces. Early citrus orchards occupy the coastline but quickly expand to marginal land, taking water from wells, as the high price of fruit and the relatively low demands for labour make it an attractive investment. The establishment of a grove on marginal land usually involves the extensive levelling of slopes. However, in the absence of quality soils, soil often has to be imported. In 1977 citrus covers more than 50% of Xàtiva – La Costera lands.

Policy context

{xtypo_alert}AK: to check that implementation, impacts and effectiveness of selected policies are discussed in this text. Look at D142 to see if there is any additional information. {/xtypo_alert}

The main policies in effect are related to the improvement of agricultural production. The "colonization" laws refer to implementation or expansion of irrigated lands, as well as the replacement of unproductive areas by crops, in order to improve the productivity and to attract to young population to the new areas.

Properties of the system
{xtypo_alert}AK: to check if there is any further relevant information in D133{/xtypo_alert}

Natural capital: Not different from above.

Economic captial: Not different from above.

Social capital: Not different from above.

Socio-ecological resilience
{xtypo_alert}AK: to be added, source: D133{/xtypo_alert}

Socio-ecological fit of the dominant response to LEDD
{xtypo_alert}AK: to be added, source: D133{/xtypo_alert}

Implementation of CAP and extension of citrus orchards (1985 to date)

2013-08-05T10:48:49+00:00

Authors:	Artemio Cerdà, Félix González-Peñaloza
Coordinating authors:	Constantinos Kosmas, Giovanni Quaranta
Editors:	Alexandros Kandelapas, Jane Brandt

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 20Mar14: Source D132-10.2.2{/xtypo_alert}

Assessment of natural, economic and social capitals

Natural capital
Assessment	Most of the valley has a low or moderate or low soil capital index. Soils with high and very high capital values are found in the valley bottom. Water capital is very low because, during the last decades, water pollution due to agricultural activities has affected soils with low organic matter content and there has been low rainfall. According to the GIS coverage obtained from the national government areas vulnerable to land degradation coveri about 30 % of the total area. Vegetation is moderate to low vegetation quality. Moderate quality vegetation covers over 40 % of the total area, occupying both the flood plain and a significant part of the both valley sides. Low quality vegetation covers about 60 % of the total area and is mainly in the valley bottom.
Critical functions	According to the hydrological processes determined by RUSLE, over 37% and 16% of the study site is classified as null and low classes respectively; mainly located in the floodplain as flat areas. Very high (6 %), high (4.6%) and moderate (15.3%) classes are mainly located in the mountain areas. Soil depth reduction in recent decades is generally lower than 0.5 cm yr-¹, (89% of the area). The conversion of agricultural land to new citrus orchards has destroyed the terraces developed for previous rainfed crops. After one year of cultivation, there is a crusting on the topsoil (82 %) due to the use of fertilizers and herbicides and to the lack of a vegetation cover to protect the soil from raindrop impact. Vegetation covers about 4% of topsoil and stoniness (7.29 %), rills (5.24 %), gullies (0.69 %) and cliffs (0.56 %) have all appeared. As a result, regulation of hydrological processes is being affected: in citrus orchards, runoff is faster than in other plotareas s due to the emerging ponding. Runoff is over 50% in citrus orchards.
Critical variables	Both traditional and current agricultural practices have caused great disturbances. The reduction of soil depth by intensive land use affects the storage of water and nutrients in soils. Soil crusts and stoniness are increasing runoff. This is especially significant in hilly areas throughout the study site. Soil depth reduction is the major (slow) critical variable. Soil depth reduction varies between under 0.5 cm in plains areas and on soil protected by vegetation (89 %) to over 1 cm in steepest areas occupied by crops (12 %). Land use is another fast critical variable: olive groves (47%), cereals (35%) and vineyards (28%) are replaced by irrigated crops, especially by citrus orchards (now 32%) in the lowlands. This intensification of agriculture contributes to a great increase in productivity over the past 30 years, but it is also accompanied by significant degradation. The continuous application of chemicals exceeds the storage capacity of the soils and the contaminants have found their way to river and groundwater. There is are large amounts of nitrates in the groundwater. In addition, the quick expansion of irrigation technologies (e.g. drip irrigation or use of powerful water pumps) cause the overexploitation of aquifers and serious reservoir depletion and groundwater imbalances.

Economic capital
Assessment	Economic growth is mainly supported by construction, where employment increases by 20% between 1994 and 2006. National and regional policies are facilitated by low interest rates and bank credit, fuelling increases in home prices and real estate speculation. The location quotient shows that both the construction and the tertiary activities are the most important activities in recent times. There is a dramatic growth in the number of buildings constructed in the whole the watershed, especially during the economic growth phase.
Critical functions	-
Critical variables	-

Social capital
Assessment	The population is mainly located in areas surrounding the municipality of Xàtiva, and in the municipality of Almansa, a change of around 20%. The population are attracted by the tertiary and construction sectors. Population density ranges between 28.6 inhab. Km-² and over 100.000 inhab. Km-².
Critical functions	-
Critical variables	-

Main LEDD problems and responses

Responses in the Cànyoles watershed after the implementation of the CAP are primarily negative: problems of land degradation are increasing. Modernization and intensification processes clearly aimed at maximizing agricultural production have caused new forms of exploitation that have exceeded the carrying capacity of the territory, depleting and polluting natural resources, such as soil and water. The advent of democracy and the adoption of the CAP policies included some landscape protection. However, these policies have also caused the expansion of highly intensive farming in marginal areas. Abandoned crops cause high soil erosion rates during the first years of land abandonment but these rates decline as vegetation recovers. The decline of the rural lifestyle causes negative effects on the environment. The abandonment of pastures and disappearance of small farms because of their inability to compete in the market, cause changes in land use, provoking landscape transformation.

Policy context
{xtypo_alert}AK: to check that implementation, impacts and effectiveness of selected policies are discussed in this text. Look at D142 to see if there is any additional information. {/xtypo_alert}

Main policies in effect are those related to rural development, namely regulation (EEC) 2078/92 on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside and Regulation (EEC) No 2328/91 on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures.

Properties of the system
{xtypo_alert}AK: to check if there is any further relevant information in D133{/xtypo_alert}

Natural capital: -

Economic captial: -

Social capital: -

Socio-ecological resilience
{xtypo_alert}AK: to be added, source: D133{/xtypo_alert}

Socio-ecological fit of the dominant response to LEDD
{xtypo_alert}AK: to be added, source: D133{/xtypo_alert}

Optimal response assemblages, policy recommendations for Canyoles River Basin SES**

2012-09-07T07:00:50+00:00

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{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 6Sept12: Source D133.{/xtypo_alert}

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