Study sites in cropland
Study sites in grazing land
Study sites in forests
General description of Granja de la Costera
| Authors: | Artemio Cerda, Félix González Peñaloza |
| Editors: | Alexandros Kandelapas, Vassilis Koutsoukos, Jane Brandt |
Editor's note 11Feb13: Source D131-4.6
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Location and infrastructure Granja de la Costera is located at the southwest of the province of Valencia province, about 55 kilometres from the regional capital, Xátiva, and between the towns of Rotglá-Corberá (NW), Llanera de Ranés (W) and Vallés (S). Granja has no communication network for railway and freeway. There is 1 preschool and 1 primary school in the area as well as 1 health community centre and 5 sport facilities. Climate Average annual rainfall is about 700 mm with seasonal peaks in spring and autumn (between 160 to 270 mm) and a minimum in summer (July and August) with about 50mm. Mean air temperature is mild (about 17 °C) reaching a maximum monthly mean in July and August (25 °C) and a minimum monthly mean between 9 and 10 °C in December and January. |
Topography
The area is characterized by spatial discontinuities and mild altitudes. The dominant elevation range is between 100 and 300 meters, located in the northeast of the study area. Prevalent aspects are north (45%) and south (about 30%).
The territory is generally flat (70%) or covered by gently undulating landforms (24%).
Land use
Soil quality and gentle landforms favour cultivation: the territory is dominated by cultivation ecosystems (86.19%). Fruit and berry plantations covers cover almost all study area (above 85%), followed by complex cultivation patterns (1.36%).
Population and employment
Granja’s population has remained relatively stable since the 19th century: it now has about 400 inhabitants. Population density is higher than Font de la Figuera and Montesa. People between 16 and 65 years old are 63.19% and aged 65 and over are 25.46% of the population. Between 1996 and 2010, Granja de la Costera has had an average birth rate of 7.67‰. Dependency ratio in the municipality in 2010 was 63%.
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Employment according to sector presents significant variability both between and within recent years. While Font de la Figuera and Montesa have lost labor force, Granja de la Costerahas has gained labor force (about 2%). While unemployment was decreasing until 1988, it has been growing steadily since then reaching a peak in 2010. Unemployment is slightly more severe for women than men. Cultivated lands are dominated by fruit orchards (above 95%). |
Ownership is the only system of land tenure. Approximately 95% of holdings are less than 5 hectares.