Xeografía
http://hdl.handle.net/10347/2970
2024-03-28T23:56:14ZA National Park split by an internal border. Analysing the case of Sierra de Guadarrama (Spain)
http://hdl.handle.net/10347/33173
A National Park split by an internal border. Analysing the case of Sierra de Guadarrama (Spain)
Vila-Lage, Roberto
In countries characterized by a high degree of decentralization, the limits between their main administrative units – that is, their ‘internal borders’ – with jurisdiction over protected natural areas prove critical for their management. This article analyses a national park split by just such an internal border, its objective being to determine the extent to which this border compromises the classic notion of a national park and how it impacts its management. The case study described is that of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, located in the centre of Spain, straddling the autonomous regions or communities of Castile and León and the Community of Madrid. The study exploits qualitative techniques, specifically semi-structured interviews with prominent actors in this territory, which allow us to analyse their perceptions of the national park and the implications of the border between the two autonomous communities in which it lies. Our research shows that the effects of internal borders can be similar to those of a border between two States, and that in decentralized countries the concept of transboundary protected areas is valid at the intra-state level. Additionally, the important political role played by national parks at different scales is verified as is the fact that cooperation between Spain’s autonomous communities remains weak.
2024-01-01T00:00:00ZCold wave intensity on the Iberian Peninsula: Future climate projections
http://hdl.handle.net/10347/32954
Cold wave intensity on the Iberian Peninsula: Future climate projections
Díaz Poso, Alejandro; Lorenzo González, María de las Nieves; Martí Ezpeleta, Alberto; Royé, Dominic
In the context of global warming, cold waves have generated less interest in the scientific community than heat waves, despite their impacts on public health, transport infrastructures and energy consumption. The present study analyses climate change scenarios with simulations of the EURO-CORDEX project, using the Excess Cold Factor (ECF) index for the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands (IPB). The dimensions of intensity, frequency, duration and spatial extent are evaluated for the near future (2021–2050) with respect to the historical period of reference (1971–2000). The projections show a significant overall decrease in all dimensions. The mean change in maximum cold wave intensity is −50% over most of the IPB as a whole in the near future (2021–2050). The largest changes occur in the interior of the Peninsula, where the decrease is around −100%. The annual mean number of cold wave days decreases for the IPB as a whole by −50% compared to 1971–2000, with the maximum extent decreasing by more than the mean, with decreases of between −2.4%/decade and − 5.5%/decade. Although a smaller number of cold waves suggests less human exposure, the acclimatisation of the population to higher temperatures will imply that cold waves will continue to pose a serious local threat
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZGeo-Singularity of the Valley-Fault of Teixidelo and Candidacy to Geopark of Cape Ortegal (NW Iberian Peninsula): Preliminary Assessment of Challenges and Perspectives
http://hdl.handle.net/10347/32717
Geo-Singularity of the Valley-Fault of Teixidelo and Candidacy to Geopark of Cape Ortegal (NW Iberian Peninsula): Preliminary Assessment of Challenges and Perspectives
García, Horacio; Muñoz-Narciso, Efrén; Sierra Pernas, José Manuel; Canosa, Francisco; Pérez Alberti, Augusto
Recently, a project has been set in motion to declare the Cape Ortegal complex (NW Iberian Peninsula), a geological reference in Spain and Europe, as a geopark. This initial phase has the purpose of reflecting and discussing the benefits of creating a geopark as a tool to foment education in geodiversity, geotourism, and scientific debate. We define geo-singularities as those elements of a geopark that stand out the most to a tourist due to their processes, forms, compositions, or mere presence in situ, being able to do so in a scientific, spiritual or sensitive manner, among others. Geo-singularities are, therefore, of first-rate geotourism value. This case report focuses on the Teixidelo valley-fault geo-singularity, whose main attraction is the movement of its base (> 30 m in the last 70 years). We relied on field observations and literature review and benefited from discussions during conference workshops, meetings, and personal interviews with local associations, the local community, and municipal administrators. Thanks to this information, we were able to conduct our analysis towards the development of a collective reflection exercise about tourism on a global, regional, and local level, capable of providing insight to politicians and local organizations in the management of geotourism at the Cape Ortegal complex, as well as questioning if the geopark is a good strategy for the member municipalities. This analysis and collective interpretation allowed us to determine the potentialities, dangers, and challenges of the Teixidelo valley-fault as a geotourism asset in the framework of the Cape Ortegal complex. The current tourism situation, within a global context, is characterized by a significant increase in tourists who have experienced different geological assets. In many cases, this translated into a massification of places that were not prepared to receive so many tourists. We have identified two types of massification: projected (places that the Administration promotes without a proper management and protection plan) and another random one (the popularity of a place for a specific and unforeseeable reason). Geo-singularities are a strategic tool that can become a showcase piece for a geopark. The type of management strategy applied will largely determine the future geo-conservation of the geological values of the study area. Based on this, a first action plan was designed aimed at municipal governments and local associations. The reflections, approaches, and proposals carried out in this case report can be extrapolated to other territories, whether or not they are geoparks.
This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12371-019-00349-2
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZApplication of lithotopo units for automatic classification of rivers: Concept, development and validation
http://hdl.handle.net/10347/32714
Application of lithotopo units for automatic classification of rivers: Concept, development and validation
García, Horacio; Montgomery, David R.; Ollero, Alfredo; Ibisate, Askoa; Pérez Alberti, Augusto
River classification is one of the recommendations of the European Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, which establishes that classifications should be carried out according to different variables hierarchically organized from a smaller to a larger scale. We suggest incorporating into the Directive’s hierarchical system a geoecological unit (lithotopo unit) that discriminates rivers with similar geomorphological features and ecological funtionality. The lithotopo units are not an alternative to the Directive typology, they are a complement intended to improve it.
Our method is divided into two stages, the first focused on the development of LTUs and the second on their validation. We applied the concept of lithotopo units to a 30,000 km2 region in the NW of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain) using a Geographic Information System and field work. Seven kinds of lithotopo units were identified for the study area, each with its own geomorphological processes and dynamics, and, as a consequence, particular associated habitats. Cartographic validation was done through the analysis of 122 sample sites distributed in eight basins. Of the five validation variables originally employed, specific stream power and median grain size are the two that yielded the best results. Each kind of lithotopo unit displays a range of values of specific stream power and median grain size that is internally homogeneous but different from that of the other units. The methodology thus produced, which can be applied to other regions, is transparent, objective and quantitative.
2018-01-01T00:00:00Z