Almeria, Spain
Published: August 26, 2008, 7:51 pm
Updated: August 26, 2008, 7:51 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Langdon D. CloughThis pair of satellite images (Figures 1 and 2) shows the impact of massive and rapid agricultural development in Almeria Province along Spain's southern coast. In the earlier image (Figure 1), the landscape reflects rather typical rural agricultural land use. In the 2000 image (Figure 2), much of the same region—an area covering roughly 20,000 hectares (49,421 acres)—has been converted to intensive greenhouse agriculture for the mass production of market produce. (Greenhouse-dominated land appears as whitish gray patches.)
In order to address increasingly complex water needs throughout Spain, the government adopted the Spanish National Hydrological Plan (SNHP) in 2001. Initially, this water redistribution plan involved the construction of 118 dams and 22 water transfer projects that would move water from parts of the country where it was relatively abundant to more arid regions. In 2004, the Spanish government announced it would begin exploring more environmentally friendly water-saving technologies, such as wastewater recycling and seawater desalinization.
Figure 1. Satellite image of Almeria, Spain, January 24, 1974. (Source: UNEP/GRID)
Figure 2. Satellite image of Almeria, Spain, July 18, 2004. (Source: UNEP/GRID)
The hot dry climate of the Almeria area has discouraged urbanization, however, it has rapidly developed a booming, mostly family-owned, greenhouse agriculture (Figure 3, left). Tomatoes are grown hydroponically in glass or plastic "Dutch" style greenhouses (Figure 3, right).
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Citation
United Nations Environment Programme (Lead Author);Langdon D. Clough (Topic Editor) "Almeria, Spain". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 26, 2008; Last revised Date August 26, 2008; Retrieved May 25, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Almeria,_Spain>
The Author
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was first established in 1972, after the United Nation's Conference on the Human Environment. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UNEP is an advocate, educator, catalyst and facilitator, promoting the wise use of the planet’s natural assets fo ... (Full Bio)
This pair of satellite images (Figures 1 and 2) shows the impact of massive and rapid agricultural development in Almeria Province along Spain's southern coast. In the earlier image (Figure 1), the landscape reflects rather typical rural agricultural land use. In the 2000 image (Figure 2), much of the same region—an area covering roughly 20,000 hectares (49,421 acres)—has been converted to intensive greenhouse agriculture for the mass production of market produce. (Greenhouse-dominated land appears as whitish gray patches.)
In order to address increasingly complex water needs throughout Spain, the government adopted the Spanish National Hydrological Plan (SNHP) in 2001. Initially, this water redistribution plan involved the construction of 118 dams and 22 water transfer projects that would move water from parts of the country where it was relatively abundant to more arid regions. In 2004, the Spanish government announced it would begin exploring more environmentally friendly water-saving technologies, such as wastewater recycling and seawater desalinization.
Figure 1. Satellite image of Almeria, Spain, January 24, 1974. (Source: UNEP/GRID)
Figure 2. Satellite image of Almeria, Spain, July 18, 2004. (Source: UNEP/GRID)
The hot dry climate of the Almeria area has discouraged urbanization, however, it has rapidly developed a booming, mostly family-owned, greenhouse agriculture (Figure 3, left). Tomatoes are grown hydroponically in glass or plastic "Dutch" style greenhouses (Figure 3, right).
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Site Options
Map of Almeria, Spain. (Source: UNEP/GRID)
Figure 3. Greenhouse agriculture in Almeria, Spain (left); "Dutch" style greenhouses (right). (Photos courtesy of Competitiveness of the Spanish and Dutch Greenhouse Industries with the Florida Fresh Vegetable Industry, May, 2003, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences)
0 Comments
Add Comment