Mountain pastures, environmental degradation, and landscape remediation: The example of a Mediterranean policy initiative

Since the 1950s the Spanish Mediterranean mountains have undergone a process of population decline, abandonment of land by farmers, and a reduction in livestock pressure. These changes have involved pasture loss as a result of the spread of scrub and an increase in the incidence of fires. To avoid these negative outcomes the regional administration of La Rioja (Spain) has implemented scrub clearance programs. Between 1986 and 2005 a total of 23,668 ha were cleared, particularly on abandoned fields where the processes of vegetation succession had led to the dominance of Genista scorpius and Cistus laurifolius. Pasture regeneration as a result of scrub clearing of areas dominated by G. scorpius has resulted in a productivity rise from 6666 to 12,983 Mj/ha/year, whereas productivity of areas dominated by C laurifolius has risen from 2435 to 9741 Mj/ha/year. The clearing of scrub needs to be recognized as a significant factor contributing to the control of fire. Scrub clearing has had positive results in La Rioja, leading to a reduced incidence of fires in recent years. Between 1996 and 2005 only 155 ha/year was burnt, compared with 1541 ha/year over the period from 1976 to 1985. Scrub clearing appears to be an appropriate means of management in marginal mountainous areas without the need for large investments of time and money. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.