{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 5Mar13. Source D231-2.3.{/xtypo_alert}

Location The Central Pyrenees study area is located in the Pyrenees mountain ranges, in the north-east of Spain, bordering France. It includes 11 municipalities, 6 of them in Sobrarbe region (Torla, Broto, Fanlo, Puertolas, Tella-Sin and Bielsa), in Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park and surrounding peripheral zone of protection. Of the remaining 5, 3 (Sallent de Gallego, Panticosa and Hoz de Jaca) are directly affected by ski resorts and the other 2 (Biescas and Yesero) by the ski business. Out of total of 90 villages in the study area, 27 villages have no permanent inhabitants or are abandoned.

Climate

The complex topography and the diversity of aspects of the mountains offer an extensive variation of local climatic shades. Nevertheless, based on the pluviometric distribution and on the more or less continental character, we can differentiate in the Central Pyrenean study area three zones; mountain, humid sub-mediterranean and mediterranean (oceanic transition) climates.

Precipitation and temperature are directly correlated with the altitudinal gradient. Higher elevations have higher precipitation and lower temperatures than lower areas. Further, the eastern part presents more continental characteristics with lower precipitation and higher contrast in temperatures. Annual precipitation in the Central Pyrenees varies between 1,307 mm at the bottom of the valley and 1,718 mm in the mountain, with significant snowfall even in lower elevations and more than 100 days with frost. The rainiest months are October and November in the western part of the study area and May in the eastern part. Minimum annual average temperatures are between -1°C at higher elevations and 6ºC at the bottom of the valley. Maximum annual average temperatures are between 3.5 and 19 °C. The coldest months are January and February and the warmest July and August. ET0 is lower at the high levels, and highest at the valley bottom. Aspect also influences ET0, with north parts having lower ET0 than the southern areas.

Geology, topography, soils and hydrology

The Pyrenees mountain range is the result of the Alpine orogeny and the collision between the micro plate of Iberia and the European plate. The high granitic peaks of the Axial Pyrenees originated in the Palaeozoic era and the Inner Pyrenees ranges are calcareous sedimentary material (Mesozoic rocks) which originated from marine sediments. The highest calcareous mountain in Europe (Monte Perdido, 3355 m) is inside the study site. Quaternary materials were accumulated in the bottom of the valley, and suffered different erosions and deposits coming from glaciers (moraines, alluviums and colluviums deposits). The eastern part of the area is of great geological interest and scientific importance and has been denominated as 'Sobrarbe Geopark', by UNESCO.

Soils are generally Entisol and Inceptisol. Acid materials dominate more than half of the study area. Quaternary deposits exhibit very low erosion resistance and plutonic rocks (granite and quartzite) the highest. Clay formations and marls also have lower erosion resistance than limestone and sandstone.

The study area is mountainous with 20% of its surface above 2,200 m and 35% between 1,600-2,200 m. Valley bottoms are at an elevation between 550-900 m (5.3% of the area). The 45% of the area has SE-S-SW orientation and the 31% is oriented to the NE-N-NW. Slopes are generally up to moderately steep (<30°; 60% of the study area), steep (30-50°; 37% of the area) and very steep (3.5% of the area).

The main rivers are the Gallego, Ara and Cinca, which feed into the Ebro river, in a North-South direction. Maximum flows occur in May and June and lowest in August and September.

Ecosystems and land use

In the study area the altitudinal gradient has an important influence in vegetation and land cover uses; around 35% is covered by forest in the low lands, surrounding the urban and cultivated zones and occupying a little area near the main rivers. Other 13% is occupied by transition communities like boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) with "erizón" (Echinospartum horridum), or junipers (Juniperus commuunis). As elevation rise, above tree line, subalpine grassland is dominated, as around the half of the study area is covered by them. In lower areas, in deep soils and low slopes, dominates the dense grasslands or natural pastures. Sparse grasslands and rock dominate the steep high slopes, with glaciers and natural lakes near mountain tops. Since the 1980s, land cover in the area has changed significantly, primarily by expansion of forests and the reduction of natural grass and cultivated areas, following abandonment by the shrub encroachment. 62% of the area is under some form of protection for biodiversity, as Sites of Community Interest (SCI), Special Protection Areas (SPA) or the Ordesa-Viñamala Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program).

Population, income and employment

The study area has around 6,000 inhabitants, losing more than half of its population during the 20th century, particularly since the 1930s. Population dynamics vary between municipalities, with larger municipalities showing limited growth and smaller settlements at risk of disappearance through abandonment. The study area has extremely low population density (the lowest of Aragón and one of the lowest of Spain) with 4.4 inhb./km².

Municipalities with more balanced and positive population (Sallent de Gallego and Bielsa) have pyramids that show very aged population. Others present a very unbalanced structure, with predominance of men over women and almost absence of young population. Women's emigration is higher than that of men. Overall population growth is negative and modest growth during the last decade is attributed to immigration rather than increased birth rates. The area presents more elderly population and larger average age in comparison with the province of Huesca and Aragón Community.

The economic structure of the area largely follows the population dynamic. Among study area municipalities, Fanlo with lower population density has the lowest GDP per capita (10,000-12,000€) and Sallent de Gallego, with the highest population density, has an income well above the average of study area and Aragon (> 20,000€).

In the last 20 years the service sector related to tourism (ski resorts and national park) has risen as the dominant economic with the decline of agricultural activity. The industrial activity has virtually disappeared.

The study area includes 3% of the territory of Aragon Autonomous Community but receives 33% its tourists. Rural tourism and camping are prevalent in the Sobrarbe (62%) while the area of Alto Gállego is dominated by hotels (69%).

Infrastructure

The area is adequately covered by roads. Social infrastructure includes medical clinics in all municipalities except Fanlo. Only 4 out of 11 municipalities have primary schools.

Particular LEDD issues in Central Pyrenees and responses made

The ageing and decreasing of the population has resulted in the abandonment of the agro-pastoralism activities and changes from agro-pastoralism to tourism services. Also extensive ovine grazing is therefore being replaced by bovine as it required less manpower and it is well adapted to stables. As well from 1986 onwards, the EU Common Agricultural Policy has been the main force in shaping the Spanish agricultural system. As a result of these socioeconomic changes, the mountain and especially pastures are less used and leads to woody encroachment of those. Furthermore, these changes were exacerbated by climatic warming.

There are many responses that are or can be made in the future, actively or unplanned to the LEDD problems; to woody encroachment of the open lands and the problems involved the encroachment. Farmers interviewed as part of the LEDDRA project propose a variety of solutions; directly in the lands proposed prescribed fires or mechanical removal to eliminate the shrub, increase the livestock rate and diversify the livestock species, as well as use more the mountain in diverse aspect. Social response may can from changes in laws, more interactions between the stakeholders from all sectors, or doing applied research help we understand the circumstances. The economic response is related with increase of prices of their products, construing more infrastructures or relates with the subventions, all to put a stop to LEDD problems.

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 20Mar14: Source D132-2.1{/xtypo_alert}

Based on environmental, social, economic, responses, LEDD issues, and political characteristics, the following two major states of the SES of the Central Pyrenees can be identified.

Agro-pastoral society (pre 1980s)

In the period 1900-1930, human and livestock populations are stable. After the civil war (1936-1939) and until 1980, the human population and the number of livestock decline. Sheep are the most abundant livestock species (>60%), with a strong presence of equids. At the end of this period, Spain becomes an EU member and significant changes occur at the regional level. In the Aragon region, agricultural production is intensified by combining maize or sunflower with alfalfa in irrigated lands. Most notably, in the agricultural sector, there is a marked shift from milk to meat production. In Huesca Province the tourism industry begins to grow through various public and private initiatives and the first ski center and associated hotels are constructed near Alto Gallego. Several NATURA2000 parks are also established and operated by the Autonomous Government of Aragon.

Services-based society (post 1980s)

Between 1980 and 2010, the human population increases slightly and cattle farming replaced sheep farming and equids almost disappear. Absence of equids has potentially negative impact on the grasslands-shrubland dynamic as they remove shrub seedlings. There is a clear decline in large livestock units in better connected municipalities, such as Biescas and Sallent del Gállego, attributable to the proximity to ski resorts. Other important municipalities such as Broto or Torla maintain their number of livestock through the 20th Century. The important reduction of livestock in Fanlo is associated to the reduced human population.The construction industry is the dominant economic force and sector in Spain. In Aragon and Huesca, the industry is related primarily to the ski resorts: the AVE-train Madrid to Huesca service starts in 2005 and a new airport in Huesca is completed in 2007. NATURA2000 areas also rise as areas of attraction. In the agricultural sector, some new sheep flocks are introduced but also large works dominate with major irrigation works (dams, channels) being completed and transforming the character of the study site.

Agro-pastoral society (pre 1980s)
Service-based society (post 1980s)

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 20Mar14: Source D232-2.2.1{/xtypo_alert}

Assessment of natural, economic and social capitals

Main LEDD problems and responses

Until the beginning of the 20th Century the local economy is based on natural resources and traditional agriculture with a combination of livestock and winter cereals (wheat and barley), animal fertilization (cultivated/fallow regimes), and the use of alpine and subalpine summer pastures to provide the main source of income. Cultivated lands that occur in the valley bottom and on the lower slopes extend above 1600 m, to include sun-exposed flats called “paneras”. Alpine and subalpine grasslands, the most productive resources of the area, have a short productive period from spring to autumn. Nomadism and transhumance are the main adaptation strategies, allowing an ecological balance between production and exploitation, with livestock moving from the alpine summer pastures to the Ebro Valley. This strategy also reduces the competition for land for growing cereals to feed the human population, rather than growing food for livestock, which suits the self- sufficiency economy. Until 1960, the population is directly dependent on livestock.

After 1941 mechanization and chemical fertilization start in the agricultural sector and a general policy of reforestation is applied. During this period industrial concentration begins, focusing on the chemical industries (Zaragoza, Huesca) and mining (Teruel). Emigration from rural areas accelerates after 1960. Abandoned land tends to be in unfavorable areas, on steep slopes and at high elevations. Former cereal fields are replaced by meadows for livestock grazing or are abandoned. Most of the food required to feed the population is imported. Between 1900 and 1980, the amount of cultivated land decreases from 15% to 5% in Broto Valley, and from 20% to 9% in Biescas-Yésero Valley. Grazing activity becomes sedentary, using supplementary products from agriculture during scarcity periods.

The agro-pastoral economy gradually declines in the 20th century. After 1960, the correlation between number of inhabitants and number of livestock units is negative: the larger the number of livestock the smaller the human population.

Two tourism strategies are developed. One is based on preservation of scenic landscapes, the conservation of wild flora and fauna, and natural heritage. This is particularly developed in Sobrabe county, with the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park (OMPNP) as its center. The other strategy involves the development of infrastructure for the skiing industry (between 1965 and 1976), which is used in Alto Gállego County.

Policy context
{xtypo_alert}AK: to check that implementation, impacts and effectiveness of selected policies are discussed in this text. Look at D242 to see if there is any additional information. {/xtypo_alert}

--

Properties of the system
{xtypo_alert}AK: to check if there is any further relevant information in D233{/xtypo_alert}

Natural capital: --

Economic captial: --

Social capital: --

Socio-ecological resilience
{xtypo_alert}AK: to be added, source: D233{/xtypo_alert}

Socio-ecological fit of the dominant response to LEDD
{xtypo_alert}AK: to be added, source: D233{/xtypo_alert}

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 20Mar14: Source D232-2.2.2{/xtypo_alert}

Assessment of natural, economic and social capitals

Main LEDD problems and responses

Spain's entry into the EEC (1986) and adoption of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) lead to major shifts in production: from cereals to maize or sunflower, and from milk to meat products. Agricultural changes and tourist initiatives (rural tourism) are widespread. Spain experiences an major development associated with the increase in the standard of living in Spain.

Important socio-economic changes in the Central Pyrenees are related to the abandonment of villages, decline in livestock and human pressure, and consequently the transformation of grasslands into shrublands and forest. The forest already present in 1980 are preserved, but more than 13,000 ha of shrub is transformed into forest. Also, more than 7,000 ha of forest or shrub become grasslands. The most important LEDD problem affecting vegetation cover changes is shrub encroachment in the dense and sparse grasslands. Woody encroachment affects primarily dense grassland (close to 20%) and sparse grassland (less than 10%).

The probability of woody encroachment between 1980 and 2000 depends on the distance to woody vegetation in the previous period. The proximity to woody community favours the transition from grasslands to shrub or forest. Most of the transformations from grasslands to woody vegetation take place in the first 90 meters from next woody patch. Woody encroachment on grassland takes place mainly at lower altitudes. Dense grasslands are more affected than sparse grasslands. The rate of encroachment between 1980 and 2000 follows similar trends, when analysis takes into account relative contribution rather than absolute values.

Most (83%) of the study area is public land, managed by the council or the regional government, and only 17 % is private land. The proportion of woody encroachment in grasslands is larger in private than in public lands in both dense as in sparse grasslands. However in public lands, the rate of woody encroachment is similar. In municipalities with depopulation lower than 50% since 1900, woody encroachment of grasslands is lower. While the most depopulated areas are more encroached. This effect is bigger in dense grassland than in sparse ones.

Grasslands invaded by woody vegetation result in a loss of 368 ha of grassland (7%) between 1980 and 2000. As a consequence, grassland fragmentation also increases and the number of patches rises from 380 to 405. Average patch size declines to 16 ha.

Policy context
{xtypo_alert}AK: to check that implementation, impacts and effectiveness of selected policies are discussed in this text. Look at D242 to see if there is any additional information. {/xtypo_alert}

The main policies affecting the Central Pyrenees are agricultural and rural development policies.

The Law for the sustainable development of Rural Areas (2007-2013) and the Program of Rural Development of Aragón 2007-2013 (PDR) are the main instruments to distribute aid for rural development of Aragón, with co-financing by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the General Administration of the State (Ministry of Agriculture, Feeding and Environment) and the Government of Aragón. Programs are directed to economic diversification and the improvement of services to the rural population. Project development and implementation takes place through Local Action Groups, located in the counties (“comarcas”). There are 33 counties and 20 Groups of Local Action in Aragón as a whole, while the Central Pyrenees study site includes two counties and two Groups of Local Action, Jacetania and Alto Gallego, and Sobrarbe-Ribagorza.

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) entails price policy and direct aid for agricultural or cattle farms. The Aragón Rural Development Program is first implemented in 2002-2006. Local Action Groups in Aragon are instrumental in delivering employment generation in rural areas and supporting small entrepreneurs to complement primary sector activity. LAGs have guaranteed the monitoring, diffusion and technical support of Rural Development in Aragón.

Properties of the system
{xtypo_alert}AK: to check if there is any further relevant information in D233{/xtypo_alert}

Natural capital: --

Economic captial: --

Social capital: --

Socio-ecological resilience
{xtypo_alert}AK: to be added, source: D233{/xtypo_alert}

Socio-ecological fit of the dominant response to LEDD
{xtypo_alert}AK: to be added, source: D233{/xtypo_alert}

{xtypo_info}This article is currently restricted to project partners only, who should »login to access it.{/xtypo_info}{f90filter RESTRICT SHOW}

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 6Sept12: Source D233.{/xtypo_alert}

{/f90filter}