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Irrigation engineering in Spain and how it has changed the country’s landscape

Author

Listed:
  • García-Asensio José M.

    (José María García Asensio, TRAGSA, C/Maldonaldo 58, 28006 Madrid, Spain)

  • Ayuga Francisco

    (PhD., BIPREE research group, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 280740 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Irrigation is a rural development technique widely extended in, and affecting the landscape of, areas of Mediterranean climate. In Spain, irrigation accounts for ⅔ of all water use. The country has over 3.5 million ha of irrigated land, some 15% of all its agricultural land. Valley bottoms and riversides are the landscapes most commonly associated with irrigation in Spain, followed by peninsular coastal and interior plains, basins, hollows and depressions. This paper describes the engineering infrastructures associated with irrigation, the structures involved in water capture, transport, storage and distribution, and water use and drainage in the irrigated lowlands of Spain. It also examines the environmental impact of such water use. Several descriptors are proposed to describe its association with the landscape.

Suggested Citation

  • García-Asensio José M. & Ayuga Francisco, 2017. "Irrigation engineering in Spain and how it has changed the country’s landscape," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 9(1), pages 211-229, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:eurcou:v:9:y:2017:i:1:p:211-229:n:13
    DOI: 10.1515/euco-2017-0013
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rojas-Sola, José Ignacio & López-García, Rafael, 2007. "Engineering graphics and watermills: Ancient technology in Spain," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(12), pages 2019-2033.
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