Valorizing traditional agricultural landscapes for climate resilience and sustainable development in the Sierra de las Nieves-Costa del Sol transition (Spain)

Abstract

In the context of global climate change, the valorization of traditional agricultural landscapes becomes increasingly crucial, especially in the Mediterranean arc, where global warming and its effects are becoming more pronounced. Climate change is leading to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events such as droughts and wildfires. In this context, a comprehensive analysis is proposed on the importance and benefits of traditional agricultural landscapes in the second and third coastal lines of the Mediterranean, strained by the expansion of urbanization processes, highlighting how their conservation can positively influence resilience to the climate crisis, as well as housing satisfaction and real estate choices. The study area consists of the municipalities of Benahavís, Istán, and Ojén, located in the transition between the Western Costa del Sol and the Sierra de las Nieves, in the province of Málaga (Andalusia, Spain). These areas, which historically depended on agricultural activities, have experienced a significant abandonment of such activities in recent decades. This abandonment has had a considerable double impact: on one hand, it has implied a transformation of the landscape, falling in some cases into a process of degradation; on the other, it has increased the soil's vulnerability to wildfires due to the accumulation of unmanaged biomass and the loss of active land maintenance. The study's methodology is based on a documentary analysis of case studies and existing scientific literature, complemented with a detailed study of the evolution of land cover in the regions of interest and the history of wildfires in these areas over time, considering their extent and severity. The documentary analysis includes a review of academic sources, government reports, and historical data on land use and the evolution of agricultural activities in the studied areas. Additionally, a comparative study of land cover over time is conducted using historical orthophotography to assess how the abandonment of agricultural activities has transformed the landscape and affected its resilience to wildfires and other adverse climatic phenomena. The wildfire inventory reveals that the frequency and extent of fires have increased in recent decades, correlating with the abandonment of traditional agricultural practices and the accumulation of unmanaged vegetation. This finding underscores the urgent need to implement "saltus" management strategies that reduce fire risk and promote the recovery of agricultural land. The revaluation of traditional agricultural landscapes and the reintroduction of sustainable agricultural practices can help control biomass and significantly reduce fire vulnerability. Furthermore, it is highlighted that the valorization of these traditional agricultural landscapes has a positive impact on the perception of the environment as an environmental amenity. This improved perception can significantly influence residents' quality of life, making rural areas more attractive to live in and preventing the same urban planning mistakes as the overcrowded first coastal line of the Malaga Mediterranean. The revaluation of agricultural landscapes can also foster sustainable tourism and other economic activities that depend on a well-conserved and managed environment. In conclusion, the conservation of traditional agricultural landscapes is vital not only for the protection of the environment and biodiversity but also for the resilience of local communities to the climate crisis. By protecting the uniqueness and territorial character of the transition between the Sierra de las Nieves and the Costa del Sol in Málaga, a truly sustainable development is being pursued.