Land-Use Change and Environmental Problems in the Western Lowland of Guadalquivir River A Case-study under special consideration of Nitrate-contamination in soils, rivers and groundwater (Almonte/Spain)

The research project addresses the causes of changes in land use over the last 40 years in the community of Almonte and problems resulting from these. To study these aspects, current land use was mapped and documented, also looking at historical land use as shown in aerial photographs, nitrate contamination of groundwater, streams and rivers was studied at a total of 70 water measurement sites over a period of one year, nitrate levels were determined at various depths at 30 soil measurement sites, once in the spring and once in the fall, the risk of erosion posed by the changes in land use assessed, the problems associated with water use documented, In order to determine the factors that led to this change in land use, farming problems and agrarian policies are analyzed, paying special attention to EU-agricultural policy. In addition, attention is paid to the current conflict of use between preserving the protected area on the one hand and agricultural development on the other.

Additional information: http://www.geographie.uni-freiburg.de/ipg/forschung/ap1/current_projects/huelva/index.php
contact person: Elke Ecker
Phone: +49-(0)761-203-3515
Email: elke.ecker@geographie.uni-freiburg.de

Start of project: 01.01.1996
End of project: 30.11.2002

Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
Mäckel R
Physische Geographie

SCHREIBERSTRASSE 20
79098 Freiburg i. Br.
Germany

Phone: ++49(0)761 203-3526
Fax: ++49(0)761 203-3596
http://www.geographie.uni-freiburg.de/
Actual Research Report

• Ecker E

• Land Baden-Württemberg, Stiftung
• Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Berlin, Stiftung

Landschaftswandel, Landnutzung, Agrarwiertschaft, Umwelt-pro