Characterization of potential Spanish territories for creating a national network associated with the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

• Published in: Land use policy 2023-08, Vol.131, p.106667, Article 106667
• Main Authors: Manrique Anticona, Cintya Elizabeth, Yagüe Blanco, José Luis, Pascual Castaño, Isabel Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural heritage; Agricultural systems; GIAHS; National network; Spain
• ISSN: 0264-8377
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2023.106667

The interest in conserving the world's agricultural heritage involves recognizing and protecting traditional farming systems as a source of learning that could help face the challenge of climate change. For this reason, since 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) program, promotes the initiative to identify and safeguard potential sites with agricultural systems, associated with their landscapes, biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and culture. In that context, this study aims to identify and quantify the traditional agricultural systems in the Spanish territory, under the GIAHS criteria. It offers an initial approach to potential sites for setting up a national network and for increasing proposals for designating GIAHS sites. The methodology consisted of four stages: the first was a literature review and identification of agroecosystems sites, the second was a characterization based on GIAHS criteria, the third was a spatial distribution analysis, and the fourth was a relevance classification and recognition of potential sites. The results showed that from a list of 173 Spanish sites, 50 potential agroecosystems were identified. 15 of them were classified with very high potential, confirming the potential for the creation of a national network of agricultural sites. •Assessment of the characterization and spatial distribution in traditional Spanish agroecosystems has been applied.•Spain has a trace of historical legacy through tangible and intangible heritage.•The study provides a first approximation of potential agroecosystems related to the GIAHS criteria.•Spanish territory has potential sites to create a national network of important agroecosystems.•Commitment and policies are necessary for the management and safeguarding of Spain’s traditional agroecosystems.