Transformations in Rural Land Use: Agriculture, Livestock, and Forestry
Use of Rural Space
The most noticeable changes in land use are as follows: Agriculture has declined, livestock production has increased, and forests have remained relatively stable, albeit with modifications. These changes are due to shifts in diet and consumption habits.
Farming Activity
Traditional agriculture has undergone major changes, including specialization in products best suited to each region and the incorporation of modern techniques such as increased mechanization, pesticide and fertilizer use, and greenhouses. Intensive farming is gaining ground over extensive agriculture through irrigation and reduced fallow periods. Overall, it accounts for 61% of agricultural production.
a) Cereals: Occupy 35% of the cultivated area. Cereals for human consumption are losing ground to those used for animal feed. Cereal production has grown due to improved techniques.
b) Legumes: Green for consumption or dry, some are also used as cattle feed.
c) Vine: Upland shrub cultivation producing grapes for fresh consumption, although primarily intended for wine production. The main production area is in the stain region.
d) Olive Tree: Tree crop highly resistant to summer drought. 10% of the crop goes to table olives, and the remaining 90% to oil production in mills. Production is highly variable. Spain is the world’s largest producer of olive oil (40% of the world total), currently promoting the consumption of high-quality virgin oil. Production is concentrated in the south, with Jaén accounting for 25% of total production.
e) Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Vegetables are mainly grown in irrigated gardens. Production is growing thanks to new techniques like sanding and padding. They are located on the Mediterranean coast.
f) Floriculture: Has gained importance in the Canary Islands and Catalonia.
g) Industrial Crops: Require industrial processing before consumption, including sunflower, sugar beet, cotton, and tobacco. They can be grown in rainfed conditions, although irrigation is essential for cotton. The main production area is the southern peninsula.
h) Forage Crops: Have doubled in size since 1950, concentrating in the northern half of the peninsula due to higher moisture and irrigation.
Livestock Activity
Traditionally, agriculture and livestock were separate. Livestock farming has steadily progressed in recent years, increasing its participation through farm work mechanization and the provision of high-protein foods like meat, milk, and eggs. The sector’s evolution is characterized by:
- New progressive breeds mixed with native and foreign breeds specialized for rapid growth.
- Changing from tooth feed to feed in extensive grasslands.
- Disappearance of small farms.
- Establishment of quotas on certain products due to surpluses.
- Problems with recent disease outbreaks and gradual dependence on multinationals, both technically and economically.
Each type of livestock has its own characteristics:
Cattle are intended for milk and meat production. Milk production predominates in northern Spain, while meat production is found in mountainous areas.
Sheep are located in the Mediterranean, both plateaus, and eastern Andalusia. They operate in three regimes: migratory, shelf, and housed.
Pigs are found in two types: intensive industrial farming and intensive farming with indigenous breeds focused on quality.
Poultry breeding is intended for meat and egg production. It is also an intensive breeding.
Forestry
Spain is often perceived as a desolate country with few forests, despite their historical importance. Human factors have been the main cause of this situation. In recent years, the number of forest hectares has increased due to reforestation (400,000 hectares) and the abandonment of agricultural activities.
Forest Harvesting: Of the 16.4 million hectares of forest area, only 13.9 million are made up of hardwood and conifer forests. Forest production provides just 4% of total agricultural production, mainly used for timber. Resin production is in decline, while cork production has doubled. In addition to its economic aspect, the ecological importance of forests is increasingly recognized, and they are also being considered as a scenic resource.
Spain’s forest land consists of conifers and hardwoods. Production is directed to sawmills, veneer, resin, and cork. The main producing areas are the northern provinces and peninsular Huelva. Timber production has increased due to the expansion of fast-growing species. The main problem in this sector is deforestation caused by logging and fires.
New Uses of Rural Space
Residential, industrial, tourist, and recreational uses have both positive and negative consequences. They contribute to the recovery of rural economies but also have a negative impact on environmental degradation.